John Wentworth (died 1613)

He succeeded to his father's estates in 1588 before being appointed High Sheriff of Essex in 1592, and serving until 1593. He was a Member of the Parliament of England for Essex in 1597 and for Wootton Bassett, presumably due to the influence of his wife's uncle, the Earl of Hertford, in 1601. He leaves little trace on the records of Parliament, nor does he seem to have been active in county affairs. On the other hand, he built up the family estates into "a splendid inheritance", despite the very heavy debts run up by his father-in-law, who had left £23,000 in debts, which involved him in much trouble and litigation over his wife's inheritance. He was also noted for his charity to the poor.^[1]

He had married Cicely Upton, the daughter of Sir Edward Unton and Lady Anne Seymour (daughter of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset). She was also a sister of Sir Henry Unton.^[2] Together, they were the parents of at least one son and four daughters, including:^[1]

• Sir John Wentworth, 1st Baronet (c. 1583–1631), who married Lady Catherine Finch, a daughter of Sir Moyle Finch, 1st Baronet and the former Elizabeth Heneage, suo jure Countess of Winchilsea.^[3]
• William Wentworth (1588–1604), who died unmarried.
• Elizabeth Wentworth (b. c. 1589), who married Charles Garneys, son of Nicholas Garneys.^[4]
• Diana Wentworth (b. c. 1590), who married Lewis Bowes.^[5]
• Anne Wentworth (1591–1633), who married Sir Edward Gostwick, 2nd Baronet, in 1608.^[6]
• Cicely Wentworth (1593–1642), who married Thomas Finch, 2nd Earl of Winchilsea (brother to Lady Catherine Finch), in 1609.^[7]

He died in 1613 and was buried at Gosfield. He was succeeded in the family estates, that "splendid inheritance", by his eldest son Sir John Wentworth, 1st Baronet, who dissipated the wealth accumulated by his father. His widow remarried the soldier, diplomat and scholar Sir Edward Hoby. She died in 1618.^[1]

Through his daughter Cicely, he was a grandfather of four grandchildren, including Heneage Finch, 3rd Earl of Winchilsea.^[7]