| DACKOMBE FAMILY A Seventeenth Century Knight - Sir John Dackombe c1570 - c1618 |
John Dackombe, eldest son of Richard Dackombe of Motcombe, Dorset and Alice was born some time before 1571; his great uncle John Dackombe of Stepleton, who died in 1571, mention him as a Grandson in his Will and bequeathed him six sheep.
He was for some time brought up by his uncle, John Budden - the Feodary of Dorset, and became a Gentleman of the Middle Temple.
On April 20, 1597 Arthur Gorges, as a friend of John Budden, petitioned Robert Cecil for John Dackombe to be accepted in Cecil's employment. The request was granted and so began John's rise to high office. Robert Cecil's father, Lord Burghley - who, as Lord Treasurer, held the highest office in the land died in 1598 and Robert was made Secretary of State. John Dackombe became Robert Cecil's solicitor and later his secreary; he was also an executor of Cecil's will.
About 1600 John married Melior, the daughter of Pytt (Pitt) of Blandford and widow of Robert Mohun of Baynton, Dorset, and by her had three children; Alice, Dorothy and John - the latter being born in 1607. Alice was married in 1614 to Henry Smith, the son of Sir Henry Neville - alias Smith; she was about 13-14 years old. Dorothy died unmarried in 1618 and her estates were bequeathed to her brother John. John was educated at Caius College Cambridge, and survived to continue the line.
In 1607 his uncle, Robert, made John the chief beneficiary and executor of his WIll. Robert had acquired a farm and rectory in Stepleton; these estates were probably negotiated with his kinsman, James of Stepleton - the son and heir of Robert's uncle John Dackombe of Stepleton.
John had married well; Melior's family and previous husband were Landed Dorset Gentry, and the inheritance from his uncle secured his financial position. From this and his important post with Robert Cecil, he was able to acquire a great deal of property and lands either by purchase or patronage. He also enhanced the Cecil's fortunes with the acquisition of estates which he negotiated for his employer.
In 1613 he was appointed Mast of Requests and at some time was Gentleman of the Bedchamber to James I' Princes, Henry and Charles.
He is recorded as M.P. for Corfe Castle in 1614.
His career reached its peak in 1615 when, with Sir Thomas Parry, he was made joint Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Parry was deprived of his post in 1616 and John was re-created Chancellor in his sole right.
On June 3, 1616 he was knighted by James I at Greenwich.
His official residence as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was the Savoy Palace in the Strand - part of the Duchy estates since the time of Henry Bolingbroke; his London manor, however, was Pymmes in Edmonton. A small recreational park now covers the site and still retains the name Pymmes Park.
He did not live to enjoy his exalted state for very long, dying in 1618. By his request he was buried in the parish church of his manor at Templecombe in Somerset on February 3, 1618.
His Will left many legacies in the form of estates, rents and annuities but his son, John, was made sole heir. As his son was still in his minority, executors and trustees were left to administer Sir John's affairs. Dame Melior continued to live at Pymmes for the next 26 years, dying there in 1644. The Civil War was raging and its outcome brought to an end the Dackombes' fame and fortune; they had backed the wrong side.
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