John Pownall

John Pownall (1724–1795) was a British office holder and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1775-76.

Early life Pownall was baptised at Lincoln in 1724. He was the second surviving son of William Pownall and his second wife Sarah Burniston, daughter of John Burniston, deputy governor of Bombay. He was educated at Lincoln Grammar School. He married Mary Lillingston, daughter of Bowden Lillingston of Ferriby, Yorkshire.

Administrative career Pownall became Clerk of the Board of Trade in 1741 and became solicitor and clerk of reports in 1745. He was joint secretary in 1753 and became secretary in 1758, remaining until May 1776.

Political career In November 1775, Pownall was returned as Member of Parliament for St Germans by Edward Eliot in a by-election on 23 November 1775. He probably saw a parliamentary seat as a stepping stone to a profitable post, as in 1776 he was appointed Commissioner of Excise and resigned his seat in May.

Publications

Account of a Roman Tile discovered at Reculver Archaeologia, vol. VIII. p. 79 Some Sepulchral Antiquities discovered at Lincoln Archaeologia vol. X. p. 345 Admeasurements of the Keeps of Canterbury and Chilham Castles The Gentleman's Magazine 1794, vol. LX1V. p. 999