# Sir John Minnes — The Diary character guide > Sir John Minnes in The Diary by Samuel Pepys. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sir J. Minnes, J. Minnes, Sir John Minnes **First appearance:** 0003-january-1659-60 ## Snapshot An aging naval commissioner whose rambling stories and muddled interventions at the office try Pepys's patience and expose the decay of the institution. ## Who they are Minnes is a fixture at the Navy Board, a man of long service whose age and incompetence make him more liability than colleague. He tells rambling tales at Carteret's table and, when he does speak at meetings, says 'two or three words from the purpose, but to do hurt.' His decline shadows Mr. Turner's anxious wait for a place, and his presence measures how far the office has fallen from competence. ## Relationships ### [Sir William Batten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/sir_william_batten) _professional_ They were fellow Navy Commissioners and colleagues, often interacting in official capacities with occasional friction. ### [Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/edward_montagu_earl_of_sandwich) _professional_ Lord Sandwich and Sir John Minnes were fellow naval administrators, with Minnes often serving as a subordinate or colleague. ### [Sir William Batten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/sir_william_batten) _professional_ They were fellow Navy Commissioners and colleagues, often interacting in official capacities with occasional friction. ## In the story ### [November 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1661) New comptroller of the Navy; fetched to his place in the office and described as a fine gentleman. ### [May 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1662) Elected Master of Trinity House over Sir W. Batten. ### [November 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1662) Navy official; Pepys travels with him and notes his plans to alter their shared entry. ### [February 1662–63](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1662-63) Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall for Duke's business. ### [March 1662–63](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1662-63) Travels with Pepys and opposes Sir W. Penn's patent. ### [April 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1663) Swears and stamps about Commissioner Pett's defective timber, showing his foolishness. ### [May 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1663) Naval colleague; accompanies Pepys to the Mint to observe coinage production. ### [June 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1663) Naval official; accompanies Pepys to the Duke and discusses beauty at dinner. ### [July 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1663) Dines with Pepys at Mr. Castle's house and accompanies him to the office. ### [September 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1663) Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall and the Old Bailey; speaks foolishly before the Lords. ### [October 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1663) Clashed with Pepys over contracts; defended Cocke's account and demanded salary increase. ### [November 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1663) Present with Pepys at Whitehall in the Matted Gallery. ### [January 1663–64](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1663-64) Pepys directs him on keeping books and accompanies him to Auditor Beale's. ### [April 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1664) A fellow Navy Commissioner, described by Pepys as a doting fool who blindly follows Batten. ### [June 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1664) Travels with Pepys to St. James's and Whitehall; declines godfather role. ### [August 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1664) Present at St. James's with Pepys and others. ### [September 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1664) Falls sick at church and collapses, later reproaches the office in a childish manner about his lack of a house. ### [February 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1664-65) Pepys has high words with him about Sir W. Warren, calling him a cheating knave. ### [April 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1665) Present at Lord Treasurer's meeting; returns from Chatham; notes Pepys's absences. ### [July 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1665) Travels with Pepys and Batten to Whitehall on July 3rd. ### [January 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1665-66) Entertains with mimical tricks and is described as an excellent mimic and potential actor. ### [June 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1666) Minnes accompanies Pepys and Penn to Whitehall. ### [January 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1666-67) Dines at Sir W. Penn's but is lame and unable to attend Pepys's dinner. ### [February 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1666-67) Present at the office to examine Jones regarding the Carcasse affair. ### [May 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1667) Navy Board colleague; joins the review of the Carcasse report. ### [November 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1667) Part of the group that goes to Whitehall; his chimney is the source of the noise that frightens Pepys. ### [April 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1668) Accompanies Pepys to Whitehall; his age and inability cause discomfort for Mr. Turner. ### [June 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1668) Accompanies Pepys to Westminster and Whitehall for naval business. ### [December 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1668) Minnes foolishly complains about the Office before Sir Thomas Littleton, causing trouble. ### [April 1669](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1669) Dines at Sir W. Penn's with his niece; later lends his coach to Pepys. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters/sir_john_minnes - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/characters