John March (barrister)


John March was an English barrister and legal writer.

Early life

There remains doubt over John March's background. D. A. Orr in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography tentatively identifies him with the John March admitted to the degree of B.C.L. 27 November 1632, as a member of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford; and more confidently with the John March of Barnard's Inn in 1635, of Gray's Inn in 1636, and called to the bar in June 1641.

Long Parliament employee

An Argument or Debate in Law of the great question concerning the Militia by March argued the legality of Parliament's moves to raise troops. By early 1644, March was working for the Committee of Both Kingdoms. On 20 August 1649 the Council of State nominated him as one of four commissioners to go to Guernsey; three years later he was chosen by the Council of State to Scotland, with three others to administer justice in the courts.
In 1656 March seems to have been acting as secretary or treasurer to the trustees for the sale of crown lands at Worcester House. He died early in 1657.

Works

March's legal works were:
By license dated 23 March 1638, March, of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, scrivener and bachelor aged 26, married Alice Matthews of St. Nicholas Olave. On his death in 1657, his widow received support from the Council of State.