John Chichester (died 1586)
Sir John Chichester lord of the manor of Raleigh in the parish of Pilton, near Barnstaple, North Devon, was Sheriff of Devon in 1576/7 and/or in 1585 and died of gaol fever contracted whilst acting as a magistrate at the Lent Black Assizes of Exeter in 1586.
Origins
John Chichester was the eldest son and heir of Sir John Chichester of Raleigh, a leading member of the Devonshire gentry. His mother was Gertrude Courtenay, a daughter of Sir William Courtenay (1477–1535) of Powderham.He had at least six brothers, three of whom became Governor of Carrickfergus: Sir John Chichester, junior, who was killed at the Battle of Carrickfergus (1597); Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Chichester, who succeeded him; and Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester of Eggesford, Devon, who became governor on Arthur's death.
Marriage and children
John Chichester married Anne Dennis, the eldest daughter of Sir Robert Dennis, of Holcombe Burnell, in Devon, by his wife Mary Blount who was one of the two daughters and co-heiresses of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy, KG, and a first cousin of Lady Jane Grey. Their children included:- Sir Robert Chichester, eldest son and heir, father of Sir John Chichester, 1st Baronet.
- John Chichester, second son, died childless aged 22.
- Mary Chichester, eldest daughter, who married twice, firstly to Thomas Francis of Combe Florey in Somerset; secondly to John Smith of Tregonnacke in Cornwall.
- Gertrude Chichester, second daughter, wife of Amias Copleston of Warleigh in the parish of Tamerton Foliot in Devon, and lord of the Manor of Copleston in Devon.
- Elizabeth Chichester, third daughter, who married William Coryton. She was the mother of Sir John Coryton, 1st Baronet.