John Silvester held the Lordship of Birthwaite and Kexborough, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire. He was responsible for the construction of a school in the village of Kexborough.
He was a blacksmith at the Tower of London and constructed a chain that was to be drawn across the width of the river Thames in case of invasion, particularly that of an anticipated Dutch Fleet invasion.
A marble effigy in John Silvester's honour was placed in the South Chapel of Darton Parish Church.
Famous quotes containing the word john:
“I have a Vision of the Future, chum.
The workers’ flats in fields of soya beans
Tower up like silver pencils, score on score.”
—Sir John Betjeman (1906–1984)