John Maberly
Encyclopedia
John Maberly was a British entrepreneur and Member of Parliament
(MP).
John Maberly was born in London in 1770, the second child of London currier (leather finisher) Stephen Maberly and Mary (née Boot) Maberly. In 1796 he married Mary Rose Leader, a well-to-do MP's daughter, with whom he was to have six children. After originally joining his father in the family business, a large legacy in 1798 from his father-in-law enabled him to branch out on his own as a very successful Military Contractor, supplying uniforms to the Army. In 1811 he purchased the large Broadford linen works in Aberdeen
. Around this time he also formed an alliance with steam engine pioneer Jabez Carter Hornblower
, who had designed an improved steam engine. Famously sued by Watt and Boulton for breach of Watt's extensive patents, that business soon foundered.
In 1813 he remarried, this time to Anne Baillie, with whom he had a further five children.
In May 1816 he was elected to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom as MP for the Tory-sponsored seat of Rye
. He subsequently returned as MP for Abingdon, Berkshire
, in 1818, 1820, 1826, 1830 and 1831. His growing fortune enabled him to acquire a country estate at Shirley Park in Croydon
, Surrey
and large London town house in Regent's Park
(1826). He became an enthusiastic huntsman: the Old Surrey Foxhounds, of which he was Master for eight years (1812–1820), were kennelled at Shirley.
He was a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Curriers
of the City of London
, of which he was Master in 1817.
Introduced into banking circles by the marriage of his daughter Jane to a member of the Smith banking family, he decided to start up his own bank in Scotland
, where banking was somewhat inefficient and expensive. He formed in 1818 the Exchange and Deposit Bank, based in Edinburgh
, and offered cut price banking. Successful at first, by 1832 this business had also foundered as a result of a price war with the other Scottish banks and some large bad overseas debts. The Broadford factory and Shirley Manor had to be sold and he was forced into bankruptcy, thereby having to relinquish his parliamentary seat. He moved to France
, where he died in 1845.
His eldest son, William Leader Maberly
, became Joint-Secretary of the General Post Office.
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP).
John Maberly was born in London in 1770, the second child of London currier (leather finisher) Stephen Maberly and Mary (née Boot) Maberly. In 1796 he married Mary Rose Leader, a well-to-do MP's daughter, with whom he was to have six children. After originally joining his father in the family business, a large legacy in 1798 from his father-in-law enabled him to branch out on his own as a very successful Military Contractor, supplying uniforms to the Army. In 1811 he purchased the large Broadford linen works in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
. Around this time he also formed an alliance with steam engine pioneer Jabez Carter Hornblower
Jabez Carter Hornblower
Jabez Carter Hornblower was an English pioneer of steam power, the son of Jonathan Hornblower.Jabez Carter Hornblower was born in Broseley, Staffordshire, England on 21 May 1744, the eldest child of steam engineer Jonathan and Ann Carter Hornblower. He gained his engineering skills working for his...
, who had designed an improved steam engine. Famously sued by Watt and Boulton for breach of Watt's extensive patents, that business soon foundered.
In 1813 he remarried, this time to Anne Baillie, with whom he had a further five children.
In May 1816 he was elected to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom as MP for the Tory-sponsored seat of Rye
Rye (UK Parliament constituency)
Rye was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Rye in East Sussex. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom until its representation was halved under the Reform Act 1832....
. He subsequently returned as MP for Abingdon, Berkshire
Abingdon (UK Parliament constituency)
Abingdon was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom , electing one Member of Parliament from 1558 until 1983...
, in 1818, 1820, 1826, 1830 and 1831. His growing fortune enabled him to acquire a country estate at Shirley Park in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
and large London town house in Regent's Park
Regent's Park
Regent's Park is one of the Royal Parks of London. It is in the north-western part of central London, partly in the City of Westminster and partly in the London Borough of Camden...
(1826). He became an enthusiastic huntsman: the Old Surrey Foxhounds, of which he was Master for eight years (1812–1820), were kennelled at Shirley.
He was a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Curriers
Worshipful Company of Curriers
The Worshipful Company of Curriers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Curriers, or curers of leather, first formed an organisation in 1272. This organisation became a Company under a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1605...
of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, of which he was Master in 1817.
Introduced into banking circles by the marriage of his daughter Jane to a member of the Smith banking family, he decided to start up his own bank in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, where banking was somewhat inefficient and expensive. He formed in 1818 the Exchange and Deposit Bank, based in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, and offered cut price banking. Successful at first, by 1832 this business had also foundered as a result of a price war with the other Scottish banks and some large bad overseas debts. The Broadford factory and Shirley Manor had to be sold and he was forced into bankruptcy, thereby having to relinquish his parliamentary seat. He moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where he died in 1845.
His eldest son, William Leader Maberly
William Leader Maberly
William Leader Maberly spent most of his life as a British army officer and Whig politician.He was the eldest child of John Maberly , a currier, clothing manufacturer, banker and MP, who had made and lost a fortune in a lifetime....
, became Joint-Secretary of the General Post Office.