John Snell (MP)

John Snell (1638-1717) was a member of the British House of Commons representing Exeter from 1702-1708.

Snell was the son of Rev. John Snell of Thurlestone Devon and was born about 1638. His father as a Royalist had been dispossessed of his living during the Commonwealth. Snell was in business as a ‘merchant’ and in later records appears as a grocer. He was made Freeman of Exeter in 1674, and sheriff from 1681 to 1682. He was nominated an alderman when King Charles II of England presented a new charter to the city in 1684. He was elected mayor at the civic elections in October 1687 but was removed the next month because he opposed James II ’s policy of seeking support from Nonconformists. When the old corporation was restored by the King’s order early in November 1688, he regained his aldermanic rank but did not resume his term as mayor. Despite his High Toryism, he did not join other aldermen in expressing loyalty to King James on 7 November when William of Orange and his Dutch force were approaching the city. He was twice more Mayor - 1689 to 1690, and 1700 to 1701. Foster describes him as “An alderman of the city of Exeter what he hath to do as well to his own honour as that of the city, several times represented in parliament “

In 1695 he stood for Parliament jointly with Sir Edward Seymour, 4th Baronet, but was defeated. However, in January 1702, a few months after completing a third mayoral term he was returned unopposed at a by election, and again at the general election in the summer. His first recorded vote was on 6 Feb. 1702. He remained MP for Exeter from 1702-1708.

Snell married Anne Wakerell of Chawleigh, Devon in 1656 at Saint Peter Cathedral. They had a son and 3 daughters.

References

* History of Parliament: The Commons 1691-1714
* Foster "Calumny revisited"