ST. JOHN, John I (d. ?c.1560), ?Bletsoe, Beds.

This John St. John is suggested for the 1559 knight of the shire rather than John St. John II, who at 15 would have been a little on the young side, or a namesake who leased part of the honour of Petworth, rather low in status. But the man suggested remains an obscure figure, his name is not on the heralds’ visitation, and his election as county Member merely reflects the standing of his family. He was an executor of his father’s will, under which he received £40 and a gold chain. His name is on the 1559 commission of the peace but not on the next one, and the implication is that he died about 1560.1PCC 45 Welles; CP, xi. 333 seq.; CPR, 1549-51, p. 41; 1555-7, p. 1; 1557-8, pp. 182-3; C142/198/1.