Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey

For other people named Nathaniel Bacon, see Nathaniel Bacon.

Sir Nathaniel Bacon (died 7 November 1622), of Stiffkey in Norfolk, was an English lawyer and Member of Parliament (MP).

Life

Nathaniel Bacon was the second son of Sir Nicholas Bacon and half-brother of Sir Francis Bacon. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, he was admitted to Gray's Inn in 1562, and became an "ancient" of the Inn in 1576. He was MP for Tavistock (1571–83), Norfolk (1584-5, 1593 and 1604–11, and defeated there in 1601) and King's Lynn (1597-8); a Puritan, he was an occasionally vocal member of their parliamentary faction during Elizabeth's reign. He also served as High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1586 and 1599, and was knighted in 1604.

Bacon was married twice. He left no male heir; his eldest daughter, Anne, married Sir John Townshend.

Taken from the History of Parliament:

Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, 1561; Gray’s Inn, 1562. Married first Anne, illegitimate daughter of Sir Thomas Gresham, of whom he had one son, d.v.p., and three daughters. Married second Dorothy, daughter of Arthur Hopton of Witham, Somerset, widow of William Smyth, s.p. Knighted 1604. After leaving Cambridge without graduating, Bacon proceeded to Gray's Inn where he shared the Lord Keeper's chamber with his brothers Nicholas and Edward, and his half-brother Anthony. Bacon's two periods as Member for Tavistock were no doubt the result of religious affinity and family friendship with Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford; his own local standing explains his membership for Norfolk and King's Lynn. JP Norfolk from 1574, q. by 1577, sheriff 1586-7, 1599-1600, deputy lieutenant by 1601; ancient, G. Inn 1576; commr grain 1576, piracy 1578; dep. steward of duchy of Lancaster lands in Norf., Suff. and Cambs. 1583, steward 1599; commr sewers c.1586; collector for the loan 1589-1604; commr Recusancy 1592; musters 1596; freeman, King's Lynn 1597; commr imprest of mariners 1598; feodary, coroner, escheator and clerk of the market of Methwold 1604 He owned several estates in Norfolk, acquiring the manor of Eccles in 1572 and, in right of his wife, possessing property in Langham and Marston, and the manor of Hemsby, which formerly belonged to Norwich Priory. In 1571 his father, Sir Nicholas Bacon bought Stiffkey for him. He resided there from 1574 and succeeded to legal ownership of it on the lord keeper's death in 1579. His father also left him £200 to rebuild the hall, a work which Nathaniel accomplished, in magnificent fashion, by 1604. In 1614, expecting death, Bacon made a detailed will, asking to be buried in Stiffkey church, under or near a family monument of black marble ‘which the workmen have now in hand’ His three daughters, who had married John Townshend, Robert Gawdy (Gaudie?) and Thomas Knyvett, were named as executrices, the estates being shared between them and his wife, with provision for his grandchildren. Bacon apologised for giving ‘no greater legacies’, since he was heavily in debt to his elder step-son, Owen Smyth, the profits of whose lands he had used during Smyth's minority. He had, moreover, given his second wife ‘£400 a year more than I assured her before marriage’ Bacon died in Nov 1622

References

• "Bacon, Nicholas" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. Mentioned at the end of article on the father.