Family and Education

Offices Held

Biography

There were several branches of the Snow family in the west country; at Halberton, Devon; West Anstey, on the Devon-Somerset border; and at Exeter, where Simon Snow, son of Thomas, became Member for the city in the Long Parliament. A Nicholas Snow, possibly from the Devon family, was keeper of the wardrobe at Richmond early in Elizabeth’s reign, and John, whose name does not appear in the pedigrees, may have been related to him.1

Whatever his origins, the John Snow who sat for Tregony and Yarmouth was secretary to Sir George Carey, and Baron Hunsdon, who secured the enfranchisement of Yarmouth. The earlier return at Tregony was presumably obtained through Sir George Carey’s brother, Sir Robert, who had married into the Trevanion family.

A John Snow of London died near Paul’s Wharf in 1607 or 1608, leaving a nuncupative will:

Memorandum that Mr. John Snow of London, esquire, being sick in body, but of good and perfect mind, did upon St. Stephen’s Day in the house of Mistress Britten in London say that he would give all that ever he had to the said Mrs. Britten.

The will was challenged by Robert Snow, described as nearest kinsman of John, and by another relative, but on 14 Nov. 1608 administration was granted to Frances Britten, widow.2

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: N. M. Fuidge

Notes

• 1. Vivian, Vis. Devon, 1, 88, 446, 547, 594, 840; Trans. Dev. Assoc. xxxv. 595; lxi. 211; CPR, 1563-6, p. 161.
• 2. APC, xxxii. 177; PCC 68 Bolein, 103 Windebanck.