John Wolstenholme 1649-1709

Sir John WOLSTENHOLME, 3rd bart 1649-1709

Biographical Note

Son of Sir Thomas Wolstenholme, 2nd baronet, of Minchendon, Middlesex. Matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge 1665, but did not graduate; admitted to the Inner Temple 1668. The family became wealthy during the early 17th century through acting as commissioners of the customs, but suffered during the Civil War. Inherited the title as 3rd baronet in 1691, having had to sell properties in the previous year to pay off debts. MP for Middlesex 1695-1700, and 1705-09, where he sided with the Whigs, and had a moderately active parliamentary career. He inherited an estate at Forty Hall, Enfield in 1697 but by the time of his death his estate was in financial difficulties, and his son Sir Nicholas, 4th baronet (1676-1717) was imprisoned for debt in 1712.

Books

Wolstenholme's library was sold by retail sale at the Palsgrave Head Coffee House in London, beginning 13 April 1709. No catalogue has survived but the sale was advertised in newspapers as "a very choice collection of books of divinity, history, law, travel, lives, government, husbandry, etc also parliamentary, and other stitcht tract, and plays; with many volumes of choice tracts bound". His will has no mention of books, bequeathing all the residue of his goods and personal effects to his family.

Characteristic Markings

None of Wolstenholme's books have been traced.

Sources

• History of Parliament.
• Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues 1676-1800. St Philip, 2010.