- Excerpt from "Notices of an English Branch of the Malet Family", by Arthur Malet, published 1885, pp 60-62, appendix AA1-AA3:
SIR JOHN MALET OF POYNTINGTON AND ST. AUDRIES.
John Malet, eldest son and heir of Sir Thomas Malet of Poyntington, inherited also the estate of St. Audries, under the will of his cousin, Arthur Malet, who died in 1644. But Sir John, in his will,* date November 9th, 1678, styles himself of Poyntington, and his relict, Dame Florentia Malet, in her will,** date October 25th, 1693, also designated him as late of Poyntington. But as his daughter Anne was buried at St. Audries in 1655, it is probable that his cousin Arthur's widow predeceased him, and that he had possession of his cousin Arthur's bequest.
Sir John Malet was knighted at Whitehall, February 20th, 1666; he married Florentia, the daughter of John Wyndham of Orchard Portman, by whom he had issue nine children--
1. Baldwin Malet, heir.
2. William Malet, died at Smyrna a bachelor, after 1673.
3. Anne Malet, buried at St. Audries, 1655.
4. Elizabeth Malet, born 1656, married Philip Rose after 1693, both living in 1714
5. Anne Malet, born March 19th, 1657
6. Katherine Malet, baptised April 19th, 1658.
7. John Malet, born August 1st, 1659. He was of the Middle Temple. He married Margaret, daughter of Sir Roger Mostyn, Bart., issue all died young.***
8. Zenobia Malet, married Daniel Hough, merchant of London.
9. Jane Malet, born may 24th, 1664, died November 12th, 1666.
Sir John Malet was Recorder of the Borough of Bridgwater from 1669 to 1685, when he was succeeded by Sir Francis Warre. He represented that town in Parliament; and from memoranda in Sir Alexander Malet's hands appears to have been inclined to Whig principles.
Among these records are a printed discourse by him advocating greater indulgence to Nonconformists, and papers showing that he took his share of Committee work in Parliament.
There is an entry in the burial register of St. Andrew, Holborn, showing that Sir John Malet was buried there on April 8th, 1686. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Baldwin.
* Sir John Malet of Pointington, Somerset, Knight. November 9, 1678. Marriage of my eldest son Baldwin Malet, settlement confirmed-- My wife Dame Florentia Malet-- My younger children-- To my son John Malet all my books; he to be brought up to the study of the law--My daughter Elisabeth--Marriage of my daughter Zenobia with Mr. Daniel Hough, merchant, of London, L 1,600; to her husband L 5 for plate. Cod., November 10th, 1681. This legacy revoked July 15th, 1687.
** Dame Florentia Malet, relict of Sir John Malet, late of Poyntington, Somerset, Knight, October 25th, 1693. To my daughter Elisabeth Malet, Barne, closes of land, etc., called St. Nicholas; mills, meadows, hereditaments, of my late dear husband, in the parish of St. David's without the north gate of Exeter, demised to Michael Harvey, of Clifton, Dorset, Esq're, and Henry Bull, of Shapwick, Esq're, by indenture dated January 16th, 1667. In trust for my daughter Elisabeth; she to pay L 180 to the three sons of Michael Malet, Esq're, brother of my husband. To my son Baldwin Malet, my pendulum clock. To my son John Malet, L 5 for mourning. To my daughter Zenobia How, L 100, and my large silver salver. My daughter Elisabeth ex'x; to her all my plate, jewels, etc. My nephew Sir Edward Wyndham, overseer. Witnesses Edward and John Chamberlayne and Thomas Malet. By Elisabeth Malet, June 5, 1694.
*** Sir Samuel Morland, Bart., who died Jany., 1696, aged 82; buried in a vault in Hammersmith Church, bequeathed the whole of his property to Mrs. Zenobia Hough.
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