Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
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Colonel John Birch (September 7, 1615 - May 10, 1691) was a soldier in the English civil war and later Member of parliament for Leominster and Weobley, Herefordshire.
Birch played a significant role in the battle of Cropredy Bridge, Oxfordshire on June 29, 1644.
On December 18, 1645, Parliamentarians under the command of Birch and Colonel Morgan captured the City of Hereford.
In 1646 Birch besieged and captured Goodrich Castle from the Royalist Sir Henry Lingen.
Birch is buried in a monumental tomb in Weobley Church.
One of the regiments of the Sealed Knot historical reenactment association is Col. John Birch's Regiment.
| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by [[]] |
Leominster (UK Parliament constituency) with Edward Pytts 1660–1661 |
Succeeded by Ranald Grahme Humphrey Cornewall |
| Preceded by John Barneby William Gregory |
Weobley (UK Parliament constituency) with William Gregory 1679 John Booth 1679-1685 1679–1685 |
Succeeded by Robert Price Henry Cornewall |
| Preceded by Robert Price Henry Cornewall |
Weobley (UK Parliament constituency) with James Morgan 1689-1690 Robert Price 1690-1691 1689–1691 |
Succeeded by Thomas Foley Robert Price |
According to “Military memoirs of Colonel John Birch, sometime governor of Herefore in the civil war” in de “The Cornell Library Historical Monographs” Birch was a Bristol merchant who started a regiment of volunteers. Fought on the side of the cavaliers.
Made a nice profit when, on orders of Parliament, the lead covering of Worcester Cathedral, at an estimated value of 1200 lb., was sold to him for 617 lb. 4s. 2d. (“for the repair of certain almhouses and churches in that city”).
Signed the Remonstrance in 1656 and present, as Member for Leominster, at the inauguration of the Protector.
Apparently the Restoration did not do him any harm; he seems to be in a position of authority as SP meets him.
Colonel Birch is also recorded as having submitted a plan for the rebuilding of the City after the Great Fire (as did several others of SP’s acquintance).
http://historical.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/cul.cdl/docviewer?did=cdl371&seq=258&frames=0&view=50
additional information on Coll: Birch letters by sect:
http://historical.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/cul.cdl/docviewer?did=cdl371&view=50&frames=0&seq=23
another page:
This excellent site on the Civil War explains Colonel Birch’s role in the “Copredy Bridge” encounter. Obviously I was wrong in my entry above: Birch was a “roundhead” from the start.
http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk/military/1644-lyme-copredy-lostwithiel.htm#copredy