MRP: 24th March 1662/63, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO, London

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24th March 1662/63, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO, London

BL, Add MS. XX, XXX, ff. 44-45

Editorial history

22/05/09, CSG: Completed transcription
13/12/11, CSG: Restructured page




Abstract & context


The London merchant, Christopher Willoughby (b. ?, d. ca. 1681)[1] was the cousin of George Willoughby (b. ca. 1636, d. 1695). Both men corresponded with Sir George Oxenden, and acknowledged each other's cousinship in their letters. George Willoughby was knighted by James II in 1687, several years after Christopher Willoughby's death.[2]

Christopher Willoughby's father, Richard Willoughby, was born in the parish of Fovant, ca. nine miles west of Salisbury in Wiltshire.[3] The father of Christopher's cousin, George Willoughby, was probably born in Knoyle in Wiltshire, roughly ten miles to the west of Fovant.[4]

Christopher Willoughby had been a factor in Bantam in the early to mid 1640s. He had gone out to Bantam in either 1641 or 1642, and had his wages raised in February 1644 to £40 per annum."[5] It was resolved on March 22nd 1647 by the court committees to send him home from Bantam, and he was admitted to the freedom of the Company on August 30th 1647 as an "auncient servant."[6]

Christopher Willoughby was active in the East Indies trade throughout the 1650s, and appears to have been an active private trader following the suspension of the monopoly of the English East India Company. As a part-owner of the Jonathan with Maurice Thompson and others, he was involved in private trade with Bantam in the late 1650s. he continued to invest in ships in in the 1660s, reporting in another letter of March 1662/63 to Sir George Oxenden that he had become a part-owner of the African.[7]

He purchased the lease of the manor of Bishopton in North Wiltshire in the early 166os, from whence he sent a letter dated March 1665/66 1665.[8]

The Little London Directory, 1677 gives George Willoughby's address as Throgmorton Street. It also lists a Mr. Willoughby at Mark Lane. This may have was been Christopher Willoughby. Alternatively, he may have retired from commercial life by 1677 and moved to Bishopstone in Wiltshire.[9]

Christopher Willoughby married twice; taking his second wife in 1671. In his will he named his second wife as Mrs Mary Willoughby, and left his first wife unnamed, though she may have been by birth from a family named Carpenter. But he made his preferences cristal clear, specifying that an inscription be made on a marble stone to be layd on his grave:

Here lyeth the body of Christopher Willoughby happy in his first Wife whome he now lies by; but unhappy in his last wife.[10]

Christopher Willoughby died in late 1680 or early 1681, and left the estate of Bishopstone, Wiltshire to his cousin George Willoughby.[11] In his will he mentioned a large number of relatives.

In addition to his cousin, George Willoughby, the main beneficiary of his will, he mentioned George's son, Christopher Willoughby. He also mentioned his cousin, Mary Maddox, wife of Master Richard Maddox, and his sister, the extraordinarily named Hercules Lake. Sir John Willoughby "Knight of the Habitt of Christ"" was named, as were Sir John's two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. All three were the children of his cousin "Robert Willoughby of Maderoes." He mentioned a further two cousins, John Edy of Gloucestershire, and Cousin Scott (who may by 1680 have been deceased).

He named his brother-in-law as William Willoughby Esquire (demonstrating that Christopher Willoughby's second wife was already a Willoughby). He referred to an uncle "Carpenter", which presumably identifies his mother's maiden name. He named his father as Master Richard Willoughby, and stated that his father was born in the parish of Fovant, Wiltshire.


Suggested links

See 17th March 1662/63, Letter from George Willoughby to Sir GO, London
See March 1662/63, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO
See 6th March 1665/66, Letter from Christopher Willoughby, XXXX
See March 1665/66, Letter from George Willoughby to Sir GO
See 15th April 1667, Letter from George Willoughby to Sir GO, London
See April 1667, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO
See 11th August 1667, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO, Bishopton
See October 1667, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO
See October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO

See October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO


To do


(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript in BL


Transcription


This transcription has been completed, but needs to be checked

[BL, Add. MS. XX,XXX, ff. 44-45]

[f. 44]

My ever hon:d Noble Freind

S:r Geo: Oxinden London y:e 24: March 1662/3


I hope these will find you in good health & y:t all things are there setled to yo:r Content, & Satisfaction & then I am sure it wilbe to y:e hon:r & proffitt of y:e Comp:a

S:r out of y:e goodness of yo:r Nature you were pleased to pmitt me to give you y:e trouble Annually in those things allowed by y:e Comp:a; And on y:e Score here Inclosed send you firsst bill of Exch:a for 6000: Mam:s payable unto you: 10: dayes after Sight, Y:e w:ch I humbly desire may be ptly Invested in Diamonds, none under:4:graines & not exceeding:10:graines, & y:e rest in good white ?ounce Seed Pearle, such as yo:r better Experience knowes to be here most in Request, or you may please to Invest y:e whole in either of y:e prementioned Commodities as you shall thincke may most conduce to my Advantage being highly satisfied w:th y:r ffav:r & Integrity towards me, my Cozen M:r Geo: Willoughby[12] hath alsoe made bold w:th you, in somethings w:ch are licenst, be pleased

[f.45]

To pdon y:e Trouble & comply w:th his desires soe farr as they are Modest w:ch ffavo:r I shall alsoe esteeme as done unto me & Rest Obliged for y:e Same

In Cap:t ffisher[13] in y:e Affrican I have sent you a Tunn of Strong beare of w:ch desire yo:r Acceptance, In said shipp goos out a Mate one M:r Rich:d Scott[14] who was last Voyage in y:e Eagle I shall desire yo:r ffav:r towards him, in case any good opportunity shall present as to his staying in y:e Countrey & please to take ny word y:t you shall find him a Stayd, Sober, honest man, he hath beene a Cheife Mate many yeares of good Shipps in these Seas, he married my Wives Siste:rs daughter[15].

I have beene Instrumentall in y:e ?prucy of y:e Chests of Corrall N:o A: & B: they are y:e best ever I saw of y:e Peice I gave M:r Friar in y:e open Trade:3:ll p halfe of this is as good as y:t was yet it advances above 30: p ?C:t being sold by M:r Bowen[16] in the Aleppo Merch:t I hope this, as alsoe y:e 5: Chests of small Corrall will pcure as much or greater profitt & y:t by yo:r lres to y:e Comp:a they will have occasion to give y:e pruc:es of it thanckes it is as good againe as y:t Chest w:ch was opened in yo:e presence in y:e great Parler.

But not farther to divert you from yo:r more Serious affaires & Craving yo:r pardon for y:e Trouble imposed on you w:th this further request to doe y:e like by me if in ought in this place you shall Judge me Capable to Serve you: I committ you to y:t good protection of y:e Almighty & ever Remaine

S:r
Yo:r most humble & ev:r
Affectionate Freind & Serv:t
Christ:r Willoughby

[LH SIDE AT SAME LEVEL AS SIGN OFF AND SIGNATURE]

My Wife[17] desires her most
Cordiall Respects may be
Presented unto you
Pray lett y:e returne be
Sent by Cap:t Millett[18]


Notes

George Willoughby, President, English factory, Bantam, 1630 (CHECK)-1639


George Willoughby was appointed President at Bantam in succession to William Hoare, who was sent home. Private trade was common at Bantam, and as a factor in Bantam George Willoughby had been arrested, allegedly for attempting to root out this trade. He defended himself and was subsequently made President. George Willoughby had died by August 1639, when the court minutes refer to him as the late President of Bantam. Samuel Sambrooke was his executor.[19]

"[November 29, 1644] The Court, after delivering judgement on the several complaints brought against George Willoughby, late President of Bantam, directs that Jeremy Sambrooke, his executor, shall receive his remaining estate"[20]


Christopher Willoughby, return from Bantam, 1647


"[March 22, 1647] The factors' names being read, it is absolutely resolved that the following are to be sent home, viz. : Edward Knipe, Henry Hunt, Thomas Hill, Hugh Fenn, from Surat ; Richard Wotton, Christopher Willoughby, and Thomas Owen from Bantam ; Henry Oulton, Thomas Penniston, Henry Greenehill, Thomas Winter, and Edward Winter from the Coast"[21]


Christopher Willoughby, Bantam, private trade, 1647


"[November 3, 1648] Messrs. Andrews and Abdy, who have examined [Christopher] Willoughby's accounts, give particulars, showing that he has been a great private trader. The Court considering that, because of this great abuse, he should be made an example, he is called in ; and being unable to give any satisfactory explanation of his misconduct, he expresses his sorrow and refers himself wholly to the Court. After serious consideration of his offence, it is resolved by erection of hands that he shall be fined 500/., this sum to include payment for freight of his goods. Willoughby submits, but expresses a hope that at some future time the said fine, which in his opinion is very heavy, may be lessened."[22]


Christopher Willoughby in EEIC court minutes, 1650-1654


"[January 23, 1650] Captain Kempe is accepted as security for John Leigh, Christopher Willoughby for Robert Doughty, Thomas Pearle for William Turner, and Walter White for John Rawlins"[23]

"[February 15, 1650] John Prickman and Godfrey Leigh admitted to the freedom, each paying 5/. .... Christopher Willoughby transfers to John Prickman 600/. subscription in the United Joint Stock, none of which is paid in, but this Prickman undertakes to do. John Cartwright is refused entertainment as a factor, but is given 5/. to return to Holland. "[24]

"[June 21, 1650] Messrs. Clement, Vincent, Nelson, and Willoughby are each permitted to underwrite 500/. in the policy for the Eagle, and 250/. on the other three ships."[25]

"[August 23, 1650] Upon the petition of Samuel Tyne, who married sister and executrix of the late Francis Mountford, to be paid what is due to the latter's account, the Court resolves, as Mountford was a great private trader with Messrs. Willoughby [The CCM index states that this reference is to George Willoughby, former president at Bantam] and Cartwright, to deduct as a fine 162/. 16s. 6d. and pay the remaining 300/. due to Mountford's account to Mr. Tyne in full of all demands, on he and his wife giving a general release."[26]

"[August 20, 1652] Thomas Tomblings is accepted as security for Richard Swinglehurst, Christopher Willoughby for Samuel Sambrooke, Richard Swinglehurst for Thomas Tomblings, and Thomas Peaps for Percival Aungeir, and each officer is ordered to enter with his security into a bond of 1,000/"[27]


Christopher Willoughby in EEIC court minutes, 1654-1659


"[May 25, 1655] Gifford Bale transfers to Christopher Willoughby 300/. adventure and profits in the United Stock, and Mary Wilson and Samuel Crispe, executors of Rowland Wilson, transfer to William Pennoyer 500/. adventure and profits in the same Stock."[28]

[December 17, 1655] Mr. Willoughby, one of the owners of the Jonathan informs the court of a sinister accident that has befallen that ship, and requests permission for Henry Dacres and his servant and some of the Jonathan's stock to go in the Mayflower to India ; he is told that this court cannot give such permission, but that at his desire a general court shall be called. Willoughby, fearing this would take too long, waives the point. Hereupon Samuel Sambrooke is directed to write to Captain White, master of the Mayflower, and tell him to do nothing in this matter without the Court's order.[29]

"Christopher Willoughby and Thomas Tomblings are accepted as securities for Thomas Chambers, resident at the Coast."[30]

"[March 5, 1658] Davidge, Cranmore, Thomblings, and Willoughby are accepted as securities for Nathaniel Wyche."[31]

"[October 22, 1658] Upon reading the petition of George Willoughby, administrator of his brother Robert and his uncle George Willoughby, the Court at first consents to his examining, in the presence of any two Committees, the accounts of their estates ; but on understanding from Mr. Acton that this may prove prejudicial to Jeremy Sambrooke, who is concerned, the Governor and Deputy are entreated to endeavour to reconcile Willoughby and Sambrooke and thus effect a peaceable conclusion."[32]


Christopher Willoughby in EEIC court minutes, 1660-1663


"[July 7, 1660] The Governor announces that the following have been elected Committees : Lord George Berkley, Sir William Thomson, Sir Theophilus Biddulph, Sir William Vincent, Sir Thomas Bludworth. Sir John Frederick, Sir Richard Ford, Sir John Lewis, Sheriff Love, Colonel James Drax, Messrs. Maurice Thomson, William Williams, Samuel Moyer, Thomas Kendall, John Jollife, Stephen White, George Smith, Peter Middleton, Christopher Willoughby, Thomas Pearle, Francis Clarke, Christopher Boone, John Mascall, and Captain William Rider."[33]


Christopher Willoughby & Maurice Thompson, the Jonathan, 1656


"The ship Jonathan of London was freighted by Maurice Thompson, Thomas Canham, Christopher Willoughby, John Page and company, and set forth from London upon a trading voyage to the East-Indies, and from thence back again to England. And in the month of January, 1656, the said ship took in on the coast of Cormandel a great quantity of goods to be carried to Bantam, and vended there. But in her course thither, about the aforesaid month of January, 1656, near an island called Palliapanjan, within few leagues of the road of Bantam, they met with five ships belonging to the Dutch East India company, who told the master and company of the Jonathan, that they must nor should goe intp Bantam; for that they lay there by order of the general of the Dutch East India company at Batavia, to oppose them or any other ship from England, that should endeavour to go thither."[34]


Possible primary sources

TNA


PROB 11/177 Lee 52-114 Will of George Willoughby, Merchant of London 04 July 1638
- Probably the will of George Willoughby, President of the English factory at Bantam

PROB 11/373 Drax 52-101 Will of Richard Scott, Mariner of Woolwich, Kent 02 June 1683
  1. ↑ PROB 11/365 North 1-47 Will of Christopher Willoughby of Bishopstone, Wiltshire 17 February 1681. See Christopher Willoughby will
  2. ↑ 'Willoughby, George', XXX, in Basil Duke Henning (ed.), The House of Commons, 1660-1690, vol. ?1 (London, 1983), p. 740
  3. ↑ Christopher Willoughby will
  4. ↑ See the will of the uncle of George Willoughby, also named George Willoughby, who in the 1630s was president at Bantam of the English East India Company. George Willoughby will
  5. ↑ 'A Court of Committees with the Mixed Committees, February 21, 1644' (Court Book, vol. xix, p. 133), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), p. 12
  6. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, August 30, 1647' (Court Book, vol. xx, p. 140 (Court Book, vol. xix, p. 133), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), pp. 218-219
  7. ↑ March 1662/63, Letter from Christopher Willoughby to Sir GO
  8. ↑ March 1665/66, Letter from George Willoughby to Sir GO
  9. ↑ XXX, The London directory, 1677 (London, XXXX), unpaginated
  10. ↑ Christopher Willoughby will
  11. ↑ See Christopher Willoughby will
  12. ↑ George Willoughby, London merchant
  13. ↑ Captain Robert Fisher, commander of the African
  14. ↑ Richard Scott's will is possibly that of PROB 11/373 Drax 52-101 Will of Richard Scott, Mariner of Woolwich, Kent 02 June 1683. Christopher Willoughby's own will mentions the children of his Cousin Scott. See Christopher Willoughby will and Missing faces
  15. ↑ Christopher Willoughby's wife was XXXX. It is unclear which sister and daughter is being referred to. See Missing faces
  16. ↑ Possibly Captain Robert Bowen, who in a later letter refers to selling diamonds to Christopher Willoughby. See October 1667, Letter from Robert Bowen to Sir GO, BL, MS. XX, XXXX, f. 22:)
  17. ↑ Christopher Willoughby married at least twice. The name of his wife mentioned in his letter of March 24th 1662/63 is not known. In his will, which he wrote in 1680, he referred to a marriage contract with Mrs Mary Willoughby dated July 4th, 1671. He also refers to "my late Wives old freind Mistris Mary Wheeler." As observed above, Christopher Willoughby strongly favoured his first wife over the second. See Christopher Willoughby will
  18. ↑ Captain Nicholas Millett, commander of the Loyal Merchant
  19. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, August 7, 1639 (Court Book, vol. xvii, p. 19), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1907), p. 313
  20. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, November 29, 1644' (Court Book, vol. xix, p. 236), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), p. 51
  21. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, March 22, 1647' (Court Book, vol. xx, p. 91), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), p. 198
  22. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, November 3, 1648' (Court Book, vol. xx, p. 294), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1644-1649 (Oxford, 1912), pp. 298-299
  23. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the Fourth Joint Stock, January 23, 1650' (Court Book) vol. xx, p. 461), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1912), p. 8
  24. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the Fourth Joint Stock, February 15, 1650' (Court Book, vol. xx, p. 484), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1912), p. 20
  25. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the Fourth Joint Stock, June 21, 1650' (Court Book, vol. xx, p. 546), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1912), p. 46
  26. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the Fourth Joint Stock, August 23, 1650' (Court Book, vol. xxi, p. 11), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1912), p. 55
  27. ↑ 'A Court of Committees, August 20, 1652 (Court Book) vol. xxiii, p. 149), in Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1650-1654 (Oxford, 1912), p. 185
  28. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the United Joint Stock, May 25, 1655' (Court Book, vol. xxiii, p. 423), in [XXX Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 31]
  29. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the United Joint Stock, December 17, 1655 (Court Book, vol. xxiii, p. 484), in [XXX Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 71]
  30. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, January 2, 1658,(Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 40) in [XXX Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 207]
  31. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, March 5, 1658' (Courl Book, vol. xxiv, p. 83), in [XXX Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 236]
  32. ↑ 'A Court of Committees for the New General Stock, October 22, 1658' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 142), in [XXX Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1916), p. 291]
  33. ↑ 'A General Court of Adventurers, July 7, 1660' (Court Book, vol. xxiv, p. 274), in [XXX Ethel Bruce Sainsbury (ed.), A calendar of court minutes of the East India company, 1655-1659 (Oxford, 1922), p. 23]
  34. ↑ Thomas Birch, A collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Esq: Secretary, first, to the Council of State, and afterwards to the two Protectors, Oliver and Richard Cromwell, vols. 1-7, vol. 7 (London, 1742), p. 759

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