John Temple was as frugal as his son, Thomas, was profligate. Thomas collected titles (knighthood and baronetcy), careers (lawyer, sheriff, JP and MP) and family members, with his wife living to see 700 descendents.

Yet it came at a price, with nine daughters all needing dowries and a second son needing a home of status, leading him into debt. Sir Thomas needed to sell land, but his son Peter, who had married the wealthy Anne Throckmorton and acquired the Luffield estate, sued him for the proceeds. He threw in the towel, handed Stowe over to his son and moved in with one of his daughters.

After remarrying an heiress, Sir Peter created a 200 acre park at Stowe, enclosing the common fields and moving Stowe villagers elsewhere in 1649. His life, however, was very unsettled, arguing with his brother, suing his father and being publicly chastised for his poor treatment of his daughter. He also ended up in debt after failing to collect enough tax.