John Baring (1697–1748)
Encyclopedia
John Baring came to England in 1717 as a German immigrant, apprenticed to a wool merchant. His decision to settle permanently in England started the Baring family on the road to becoming one of the leading family banking firms in the world.
cities of northern Germany. His father Franz, a Professor of Theology in Bremen, died at age forty only a few weeks before Johan was born. Johan's mother Rebecca (née Vogds) was the daughter of one of Bremen's leading wool merchants, and it fell to the Vogds family to raise Johan after his father's death.
. Originally planning to return to Bremen after his apprenticeship, he instead decided to stay, becoming a British citizen in 1723 and changing his name from Johan to John.
Soon after, John married Elizabeth Vowler (1702–1766), daughter of a prosperous Exeter dry goods wholesaler (at that time called a grocer
). Elizabeth brought to the marriage a dowry of £20,000 and business sense to match that of her new husband. By 1737, the Barings were able to move out of the centre of town, purchasing Larkbeare House
and thirty seven acres of land. By the time of John's death at age fifty-one, the Barings were one of the wealthiest families in the West Country
.
Early life
John (born Johan) Baring was born in Bremen, one of the old HanseaticHanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
cities of northern Germany. His father Franz, a Professor of Theology in Bremen, died at age forty only a few weeks before Johan was born. Johan's mother Rebecca (née Vogds) was the daughter of one of Bremen's leading wool merchants, and it fell to the Vogds family to raise Johan after his father's death.
Immigration to England
At age twenty, Johan was sent to England to learn the wool trade in ExeterExeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
. Originally planning to return to Bremen after his apprenticeship, he instead decided to stay, becoming a British citizen in 1723 and changing his name from Johan to John.
Soon after, John married Elizabeth Vowler (1702–1766), daughter of a prosperous Exeter dry goods wholesaler (at that time called a grocer
Grocer
A grocer is a bulk seller of food. Beginning as early as the 14th century, a grocer was a dealer in comestible dry goods such as spices, pepper, sugar, and cocoa, tea and coffee...
). Elizabeth brought to the marriage a dowry of £20,000 and business sense to match that of her new husband. By 1737, the Barings were able to move out of the centre of town, purchasing Larkbeare House
Baring family properties
Baring family properties is a listing of significant properties in England that were purchased or developed by members of the Baring family, mostly during the period 1820-1890....
and thirty seven acres of land. By the time of John's death at age fifty-one, the Barings were one of the wealthiest families in the West Country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
.
Family
John and Elizabeth Baring had five children:- John (1730-1816); in partnership with his brother Francis, established the London merchant house of John and Francis Baring Company
- Thomas (1733-1758)
- Francis (1740-1810); later Sir Francis Baring, 1st Baronet, founder of the merchant banking firm that eventually became Barings BankBarings BankBarings Bank was the oldest merchant bank in London until its collapse in 1995 after one of the bank's employees, Nick Leeson, lost £827 million due to speculative investing, primarily in futures contracts, at the bank's Singapore office.-History:-1762–1890:Barings Bank was founded in 1762 as the...
- Charles (1742-1829)
- Elizabeth (1744-1809)