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Sir John Gell (1593-1671), son of Thomas Gell of Hopton, Derbyshire and Millicent, daughter of Racher Sacheverell (b. 1593) was one of the most active Parliamentarian commanders in the Civil War. He matriculated as a commoner of Magdalen College, Oxford but left the university before taking a degree. He married in 1609, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Percival Willoughby of Woolaton, Northamptonshire and succeeded to Hopton on reaching his majority. In 1635 as Sheriff of Derbyshire, he was charged with the levy of 3500l for ship money and this led him to quarrel with Sir John Stanhope of Elvaston, Derbyshire who refused payment. Stanhope died in 1638 and Gell is said to have plundered Stanhope's house but subsequently married Stanhope's widow, Mary, daughter of Sir Frances Radcliffe of Orsdal, Lancashire.
He was created a Baronet in 1641 by Charles I but disagreed with the way in which the King wished to rule without Parliament and took the side of Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads against the King's Cavaliers. In October 1642 with the Earl of Essex, he raised a regiment of foot for the service of Parliament and occupied and defended Derby. Mrs Hutchinson describes Gell's fighting men as good, stout-fighting men, but the most licentious, ungoverable wretches that belonged to Parliamnet. He himself not no man knows for what reason he chose that side, for he had not understanding enough to judge the equity of the cause, nor piety, not holiness, being a foul adulterer all the time he served the Parliament, and so unjust that without any remorse he suffered his men to plunder both honest men and Cavaliers.
He captured many of the Roylist houses and continued to hold Derby through the war. He was one of the most active commanders in the service of the Parliament.
In July 1645, Sir John was in command of 1,500 local horse and might have intercepted the King's troops in their flight from Naseby to Leicester but his neglect to do so gave rise to suspicions and charges of misconduct were brought against him as a miltary commander. He was accused of taking part in plots against the Commonwealth and was committed to the Tower of London in 1650 and was tried by the High Court and condemned to forfeit his personal estates and the rents of his lands for life. He was released in 1652 and obtained a full pardon in 1653. He died in 1671, aged 79 and was buried at Wirksworth where his tomb was attacked and destroyed
He was created a Baronet in 1641 by Charles I but disagreed with the way in which the King wished to rule without Parliament and took the side of Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads against the King's Cavaliers. In October 1642 with the Earl of Essex, he raised a regiment of foot for the service of Parliament and occupied and defended Derby. Mrs Hutchinson describes Gell's fighting men as good, stout-fighting men, but the most licentious, ungoverable wretches that belonged to Parliamnet. He himself not no man knows for what reason he chose that side, for he had not understanding enough to judge the equity of the cause, nor piety, not holiness, being a foul adulterer all the time he served the Parliament, and so unjust that without any remorse he suffered his men to plunder both honest men and Cavaliers.
He captured many of the Roylist houses and continued to hold Derby through the war. He was one of the most active commanders in the service of the Parliament.
In July 1645, Sir John was in command of 1,500 local horse and might have intercepted the King's troops in their flight from Naseby to Leicester but his neglect to do so gave rise to suspicions and charges of misconduct were brought against him as a miltary commander. He was accused of taking part in plots against the Commonwealth and was committed to the Tower of London in 1650 and was tried by the High Court and condemned to forfeit his personal estates and the rents of his lands for life. He was released in 1652 and obtained a full pardon in 1653. He died in 1671, aged 79 and was buried at Wirksworth where his tomb was attacked and destroyed