John ONEBYE (pronounced 'owner-bee') was born in 1585.

He was a Counsellor at Law and studied at Grays Inn in Holborn, London where he would have made some excellent contacts. He may also have seen William Shakespeare playing in Gray's Inn Hall, where his patron Lord Southampton was a member.

He married Emmet BYARD, daughter of Humphrey BYARD in 1615 in Ashby Magna.

A very fine monument was erected in St Mary's, Hinckley to the memory of John, his wife and their family. The monument is on the north side of the chancel; as you look Eastwards it is hidden from view by the organ case.

The memorial includes reliefs of John, Emmet and their five children Elizabeth, Dorothy, Emmett, Mary and John, with the married girls are on the left and the unmarried on the right!) They lived at the Priory House, just below the church. Below this monument is a brass dated MDCCLXXXVI (1786). The inscription is in Latin and records the names of those who contributed towards the cost of restoring the monument above, including the two daughters of Nichols the historian and Robert Oneby, a descendant.

The children from the left include: Elizabeth, who married Benjamin King; Dorothy who married Ezekiel Wrighte; Sir John Oneby, 1636-1676, (known as John Onebye of Hinckley) who married twice, 1st to Mabell Ashby; 2nd to Dame Mercie Dudson; Emmet who married Dr Richard Mason; and Mary who married Thomas Staveley. At the time the monument was constructed the two younger daughters were still unmarried (their hair is uncovered as befitting a maiden.)

In an ancient writing John Oneby characterized his daughters:

My pious daughter Bess (Elizabeth)

My politic daughter Doll (Dorothy)

My pious daughter Pem (Emmet)

My flattering daughter Moll (Mary)

There may have been another daughter called Francis, baptized in Sapcote (5 miles from Hinckley). The dates fit and there is a feint reference under John's name that might read "of the Priory" which may refer to his house in Hinckley. No burial for Francis has been found though.

As a lawyer there are a number of surviving legal transaction records including:

• A conveyance from Arthur MILLER to John ONEBY, of the Manor of Over Whitacre dated 2 May 1645, held by Birmingham Archives.
• A receipt of John ONEBYE of Hinckley for £200 due to Jerry COX of Nailstone for the purchase of lands there.
• The bargain and sale of the Manor and Advowson of Kibworth Beauchamp in September 1619.
• Numerous legal actions, although many of these will relate to his son John.

There appears to have been some issues with the settling of John ONEBYE of Hinckley's personal estate. In 1674 Sir John ONEBYE kt raised a case against Emmet MASON, widow, and Emmet MASON.