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Sir John Chichester (died 31 March 1586) lord of the manor of Raleigh in the parish of Pilton, near Barnstaple, North Devon, was Sheriff of Devon in 1576/7[1] and/or in 1585[2] and died of gaol fever contracted whilst acting as a magistrate at the Lent Black Assizes of Exeter in 1586.
John Chichester was the eldest son and heir of Sir John Chichester (1519/20-1569)[2] of Raleigh, a leading member of the Devonshire gentry. His mother was Gertrude Courtenay, a daughter of Sir William Courtenay (1477–1535) of Powderham.[3]
He had at least six brothers, three of whom became Governor of Carrickfergus: Sir John Chichester, junior, who was killed at the Battle of Carrickfergus (1597); Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Chichester (1563–1624/5) who succeeded him; and Edward Chichester, 1st Viscount Chichester (1568–1648) of Eggesford, Devon,[2][4] who became governor on Arthur's death.
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John Chichester married Anne Dennis, the eldest daughter of Sir Robert Dennis (died 1592), of Holcombe Burnell,[2] in Devon, by his wife Mary Blount who was one of the two daughters and co-heiresses of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy (c. 1478–1534), KG,[5] and a first cousin of Lady Jane Grey.[6] Their children included:
- Sir Robert Chichester (1579–1627), eldest son and heir (whose kneeling effigy and monument survives in Pilton Church), father of Sir John Chichester, 1st Baronet (1626-1667).[2]
- John Chichester (1605–1627), second son, died childless aged 22.[2]
- Mary Chichester, eldest daughter, who married twice, firstly to Thomas Francis of Combe Florey in Somerset; secondly to John Smith of Tregonnacke in Cornwall.[2]
- Gertrude Chichester, second daughter, wife of Amias Copleston (1581/2–1621) of Warleigh in the parish of Tamerton Foliot in Devon, and lord of the Manor of Copleston in Devon.
- Elizabeth Chichester (died 26 January 1656/7), third daughter, who married William Coryton (1580–1651). She was the mother of Sir John Coryton, 1st Baronet (1621–1680).
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Chichester died in 1586 of gaol fever contracted whilst serving as a magistrate at the Lent Black Assizes of Exeter in 1586,[2] which accounted for the deaths of many people, including several other prominent Devonshire magistrates and visiting circuit judges.
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