Eldest son of Fleetwood Dormer, of Shipdon Leigh, Bucks, militis. Magdalen Hall, matric. 25 Jan., 1627-8, aged 16; B.A. 23 Feb., 1627-8, M.A. 8 June, 1630, of Lee Grange, Bucks, and of Purston, Northants, baptized 6 Jan., 1611, barrister-at-law, Lincoln's Inn, 1636, M. P. Buckingham circa May 1645-1653 (L. P.), and 1660, died 22 May, 1679, aged 68, father of John 1656, Robert 1667, and of Fleetwood 1674. 5
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Offices Held. 6
J.P. Bucks. by 1640-d., Worcs. 1647-8, 1649-July 1660, Buckingham 1654, 1660, 1663; commissioner for defence, Worcs. 1644, assessment, Worcs. 1644, 1648-52, Jan. 1660, Bucks. 1647-52, 1657, Jan. 1660-d., militia, Bucks. and Worcs. 1648, 1659, Mar. 1660, Northants. 1659, oyer and terminer, Norfolk circuit July 1660, recusants, Bucks. 1675.
Commissioner for removing obstructions 1651-2, Admiralty Feb.-July 1660.
Biography. 6
Dormer's family had been established in Buckinghamshire since the 13th century. One of them sat for Wycombe in the Reformation Parliament, and the Lee Grange branch benefited greatly from the dissolution of the monasteries. Dormer was a passive Parliamentarian during the Civil War, and was first returned for Buckingham, seven miles from his home, as a recruiter. Although an Independent in religion, he was neither an active Rumper nor a supporter of the Protectorate. By June 1659 he had come to favour a Restoration, for he lent the exiled King £100, and on the return of the secluded Members he was appointed to the board of Admiralty.
Dormer was re-elected in 1660, surviving a petition from Francis Ingoldsby', but he was an inactive Member of the Convention, in which he was named only to the committee of elections and privileges and to consider the bill restoring the dukedom of Norfolk. Lord Wharton sent him a copy of the case for modified episcopacy, but he took no part in the debates. He withdrew before the poll in 1661 in favour of the Cavalier William Tyringham, and was rewarded with a baronetcy for his son. He died on 22 May 1679 and was buried at Quainton, leaving debts of some £3,000. A younger son, Robert, twice represented the county as a Whig before becoming a judge in 1706.
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Abstract of the Will of John Dormer of Lee Grange in the Parish of Quainton and County of Buckingham, Esquire, written 24 May 1678, proved 14 Jun 1688. 7
Wills that his body be buried in the parish church of Quainton in co. Bucks.
Gives to his grandchild Sir William Dormer, Baronet, and his heirs male, his tenement and two houses in the parishes of Quainton and Grendon Underwood in co. Bucks. Also gives to the said William and his heirs male two tenements in Shipdon Lee in the parish of Quainton, along with parcels of arable land, meadow & pasture in the parish of Ripple in co. Worcester.
Whereas he has an annuity of £50 which he purchased of his brother Peter Dormer, paid to him out of two closes of pasture in Shipdon Lee called the Sump and the Mill Close, he devises the same to the said Sir William Dormer and his heirs male.
Refers to an Indenture dated 26 Feb 1677/8 between himself on the one part, Robert Dormer of Dourton in co. Oxford, Esquire, and John Parkhurst of Gatesby in co. Northampton, Esquire, of the other part, he having demises to them the demesne and copyhold lands belonging to the manor of Ripple, in trust, for the benefit of his wife Katherine and, following her death, of his sons....
Gives to his son Robert Dormer the halfyard land called Stevens of the manor of Ripple in co. Worcester, on condition that he pays out of his own estate £300 to Mrs. Dorothy Pert of Warwick, £100 to Mr. Richard Barnett of Westminster, and £100 to Mrs. Mary Parker of Gatesby aforesaid. If his son dies before him or does not pay the said £500, then he gives the same to his son Fleetwood Dormer, with the same conditions. If his son Fleetwood does not meet said conditions, then he gives the same to his said grandchild Sir William Dormer.
Gives to his executors four houses in Fanchurch Street in the parish of St. Dennis Backchurch in London, in trust, in order that his debts be paid from the sale or profits thereof.
Gives to his sons Robert Dormer and Fleetwood Dormer and their heirs his capital messuage with its lands, tenements & hereditaments in the parishes of New Bottle and Kings Sutton in co. Northampton.
Refers to an amount of £600 incurred by his son Sir John Dormer the younger (deceased), and desires (according to Sir John Dormer's will) that the guardians & trustees of the said Sir William Dormer, son of Sir John Dormer deceased, discharge the said debt.
Gives £10 each to his brother Fleetwood Dormer, to his son-in-law Sir John Busby husband of his daughter Dame Mary, to his son-in-law John Parkhurst husband of his daughter Katherine, and to his uncle Thomas Child, to buy them blacks.
Gives to his son Fleetwood Dormer all his books and library.
Gives £5 to his servant Francis Coleman.
Gives 40 shillings each to the rest of his servants.
Gives £5 to the poor of Quainton parish.
Gives £5 to the poor of Ripple parish.
Gives to his wife his coach, four of his best horses, and the use of his plate, furniture and household stuff in the counties of Buckingham, Worcester and Northampton.
Appoints his wife Katherine and his sons Robert Dormer, Esquire, and Fleetwood Dormer, Gentleman, both of Lincoln's Inn in co. Middlesex, co-executors of his last will and testament.
Makes his uncle Thomas Child overseer of his will.
Follows is a schedule of debts of John Dormer, Esquire, totalling £3,363.
Research Notes: