Samuel Hoare Jr
Encyclopedia
Samuel Hoare Jr was a wealthy British Quaker merchant and abolitionist born in Stoke Newington
, the north of London. He was one of the twelve founding members of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
background, and Grizell Gurnell (1722? - 1802), of Ealing
. It was a numerous family, although the eldest son, Joseph, died at 25. His only surviving brother Jonathan, merchant of Throgmorton Street
, partner in Gurnell, Hoare & Co, built a mansion in what became Clissold Park
, across Stoke Newington Church Street
from the family home in Paradise Row. Jonathan ran into financial difficulties, which led Samuel Jr to attempt to assist him. One of their sisters married Thomas Bradshaw, a linen manufacturer in Ireland
. Another, Mary, married the abolitionist Joseph Woods and bore the more famous botanist and architect son of the same name
. The eldest sister Grizell married Wilson Birkbeck in 1801, having stayed at home as nurse and companion to her father; as a wealthy 72 year old widow, she married William Allen
, another notable Quaker abolitionist, with whom she founded Newington Academy for Girls
in 1824. Their elderly marriage was greeted by a satirical cartoon entitled "Sweet William & Grizzell-or- Newington nunnery in an uproar!!!" by Robert Cruikshank.
when he was five years old, returning home only once a year. The school was in Penketh
, between Warrington
and Widnes
on the Irwell, and was run by Gilbert Thompson. In his mid teens he became apprenticed to Henry Gurney in Norwich, a woolen manufacturer. He had some connection with the Freshfield family there; James William Freshfield
lived in Fleetwood House on Stoke Newington Church Street
. In 1772 he became a junior partner in the Lombard Street
bank of Bland and Barnett.
He married Hannah, the eldest daughter of Samuel Gurney of Norwich, and 90 friends and relatives witnessed their marriage. They lived first in Old Broad Street and could afford four servants without scrimping. Their children were Sarah (b. 1777), Hannah (b. 1779), and Grizell (known as Sophia or Sophy) (1781), and then a longed-for son:
Hannah died ten days later, and was buried at Winchmore Hill
. The widower moved his family back to Stoke Newington, in the same street as his father, so that his sisters, particularly Grizell, could help raise the children.
. Many of his neighbours were abolitionists. From 1774 James Stephen spent his summers in Stoke Newington at the Summerhouse next to Fleetwood House.
In 1788 he married the nineteen year old daughter of Henry and Mary Sterry, of Bush Hill Enfield and Hatton Garden
. The family holidayed in Cromer
, and kept up the connections with his first wife's relatives. Later his illness drove him to take the family to Bath
, where a medical man advised him that the New River
, running so close to Stoke Newington Church Street
and Clissold Park
, might be harming his health. In 1790 they moved to higher ground: Heath House, a prominent mansion in Hampstead
.
In 1794 they became friends with Anna Laetitia Barbauld
, and through her met Joseph Priestley
. They knew Amelia Alderson
, later Mrs Opie, Mary Knowles, the intimate of Samuel Johnson
, and William Savory
, a Philadelphia minister. In Bath in a later year he conversed with Hannah More
.
. This connected the family to (Gurney's Bank), and also to Louisa's siblings Elizabeth Fry
, prison reformer, Joseph John Gurney
and Samuel Gurney
, philanthropists, and Daniel Gurney
, banker and antiquary. The marriage was strongly supported by Samuel Hoare Jr. According to his daughter Sarah, "I know of no event which gave my father more pleasure than the engagement of his son to the daughter of his old friend. With perfect confidence in her principles, and a persuasion that she would make my brother happy, he was pleased with her being, like my mother, a Norfolk woman, and interested himself much in procuring for them an house at Hampstead that they might be established near him."
His descendants included Sir Samuel Hoare, M.P.
, and Viscount Templewood.
His banking firm later merged with those of Joseph John Gurney
and Barclays to form part of Barclays Bank
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington is a district in the London Borough of Hackney. It is north-east of Charing Cross.-Boundaries:In modern terms, Stoke Newington can be roughly defined by the N16 postcode area . Its southern boundary with Dalston is quite ill-defined too...
, the north of London. He was one of the twelve founding members of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.
Background
His parents were Samuel Hoare (1716-1796), a London merchant from an IrishIrish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
background, and Grizell Gurnell (1722? - 1802), of Ealing
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
. It was a numerous family, although the eldest son, Joseph, died at 25. His only surviving brother Jonathan, merchant of Throgmorton Street
Throgmorton Street
Throgmorton Street is a street in the City of London between Lothbury to the west and Old Broad Street to the east. It is named after Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, chief banker of England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and head of an ancient Warwickshire family. The London Stock Exchange formerly...
, partner in Gurnell, Hoare & Co, built a mansion in what became Clissold Park
Clissold Park
Clissold Park is a community park in Stoke Newington within the London Borough of Hackney. Facilities include a children's playground, sports fields, a bowling green, tennis courts, a cafe and some animal attractions including terrapins in its lakes...
, across Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington Church Street is a road in north London of the borough of Hackney. The road links Green Lanes in the west to Stoke Newington High Street , in the east...
from the family home in Paradise Row. Jonathan ran into financial difficulties, which led Samuel Jr to attempt to assist him. One of their sisters married Thomas Bradshaw, a linen manufacturer in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Another, Mary, married the abolitionist Joseph Woods and bore the more famous botanist and architect son of the same name
Joseph Woods
Joseph Woods FLS FGS 24 August 1776-1864 was an English Quaker architect, botanist and geologist born in the village of Stoke Newington, a few miles north of the City of London...
. The eldest sister Grizell married Wilson Birkbeck in 1801, having stayed at home as nurse and companion to her father; as a wealthy 72 year old widow, she married William Allen
William Allen (Quaker)
William Allen FRS, FLS was an English scientist and philanthropist who opposed slavery and engaged in schemes of social and penal improvement in early nineteenth century England.-Early life:...
, another notable Quaker abolitionist, with whom she founded Newington Academy for Girls
Newington Academy for Girls
The Newington Academy for Girls, also known as Newington College for Girls, was a Quaker school established in 1824 in Stoke Newington, then north of London. In a time when girls' educational opportunities were limited, it offered a wide range of subjects "on a plan in degree differing from any...
in 1824. Their elderly marriage was greeted by a satirical cartoon entitled "Sweet William & Grizzell-or- Newington nunnery in an uproar!!!" by Robert Cruikshank.
Early life
Samuel Jr was sent sent away to schoolBoarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
when he was five years old, returning home only once a year. The school was in Penketh
Penketh
Penketh is a civil parish in the Borough of Warrington in Cheshire, England. It is about west of Warrington town centre. It has a population of 8,699.The emblem/badge of Penketh is three kingfishers.-History:...
, between Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
and Widnes
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
on the Irwell, and was run by Gilbert Thompson. In his mid teens he became apprenticed to Henry Gurney in Norwich, a woolen manufacturer. He had some connection with the Freshfield family there; James William Freshfield
James William Freshfield
James William Freshfield was an English lawyer and founder of the international law firm of Freshfields. He was also a Conservative politician and Member of Parliament, representing the seats of Penryn and Boston.-Early life:...
lived in Fleetwood House on Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington Church Street is a road in north London of the borough of Hackney. The road links Green Lanes in the west to Stoke Newington High Street , in the east...
. In 1772 he became a junior partner in the Lombard Street
Lombard Street
There are several famous Lombard Streets:* Lombard Street , famed for its twists and turns* Lombard Street, London, leading from the Bank of England to Gracechurch Street...
bank of Bland and Barnett.
He married Hannah, the eldest daughter of Samuel Gurney of Norwich, and 90 friends and relatives witnessed their marriage. They lived first in Old Broad Street and could afford four servants without scrimping. Their children were Sarah (b. 1777), Hannah (b. 1779), and Grizell (known as Sophia or Sophy) (1781), and then a longed-for son:
- My brother was born January 14th, 1783. My father was so deUghted with this event, that he hastened to his friend Mrs. Chorley that she might share his pleasure. " I have too much good news," he said, " for one day. The birth of a son, and peace concluded with America."
Hannah died ten days later, and was buried at Winchmore Hill
Winchmore Hill
Winchmore Hill is a district in the Borough of Enfield, North London, in the N21 postal district.- Location :With the Winchmore Hill conservation area as a focal point, Winchmore Hill is a ward of Enfield borough, bounded on the east by Green Lanes , Barrowell Green, Firs Lane and Fords Grove, and...
. The widower moved his family back to Stoke Newington, in the same street as his father, so that his sisters, particularly Grizell, could help raise the children.
Work
His main interest at this time was the abolition of the slave trade and the establishment of Sunday schools across the country. He was also involved in a plan to establish a free black colony in Sierra LeoneSierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
. Many of his neighbours were abolitionists. From 1774 James Stephen spent his summers in Stoke Newington at the Summerhouse next to Fleetwood House.
In 1788 he married the nineteen year old daughter of Henry and Mary Sterry, of Bush Hill Enfield and Hatton Garden
Hatton Garden
Hatton Garden is a street and area near Holborn in London, England. It is most famous for being London’s jewellery quarter and centre of the UK diamond trade, but the area is also now home to a diverse range of media and creative businesses....
. The family holidayed in Cromer
Cromer
Cromer is a coastal town and civil parish in north Norfolk, England. The local government authority is North Norfolk District Council, whose headquarters is in Holt Road in the town. The town is situated 23 miles north of the county town, Norwich, and is 4 miles east of Sheringham...
, and kept up the connections with his first wife's relatives. Later his illness drove him to take the family to Bath
Bath
Bath is a city in the ceremonial county of Somerset in the south west of England. It is situated west of London and south-east of Bristol. The population of the city is 83,992. It was granted city status by Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1590, and was made a county borough in 1889 which...
, where a medical man advised him that the New River
New River
- Waterways :In the United States* New River , a tributary of the Trinity River in northern California* New River , a channel which drains the Everglades through Fort Lauderdale in southern Florida...
, running so close to Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington Church Street
Stoke Newington Church Street is a road in north London of the borough of Hackney. The road links Green Lanes in the west to Stoke Newington High Street , in the east...
and Clissold Park
Clissold Park
Clissold Park is a community park in Stoke Newington within the London Borough of Hackney. Facilities include a children's playground, sports fields, a bowling green, tennis courts, a cafe and some animal attractions including terrapins in its lakes...
, might be harming his health. In 1790 they moved to higher ground: Heath House, a prominent mansion in Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
.
In 1794 they became friends with Anna Laetitia Barbauld
Anna Laetitia Barbauld
Anna Laetitia Barbauld was a prominent English poet, essayist, literary critic, editor, and children's author.A "woman of letters" who published in multiple genres, Barbauld had a successful writing career at a time when female professional writers were rare...
, and through her met Joseph Priestley
Joseph Priestley
Joseph Priestley, FRS was an 18th-century English theologian, Dissenting clergyman, natural philosopher, chemist, educator, and political theorist who published over 150 works...
. They knew Amelia Alderson
Amelia Opie
Amelia Opie, née Alderson , was an English author who published numerous novels in the Romantic Period of the early 19th century, through 1828.-Life and work:...
, later Mrs Opie, Mary Knowles, the intimate of Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
, and William Savory
William Savory
William Savory , , was an audio engineer known for his extensive private recordings of important jazz musicians in the 1930s, and for his contributions to recording technology. A musician who developed an interest in sound engineering, Savory began building his own recording devices in the...
, a Philadelphia minister. In Bath in a later year he conversed with Hannah More
Hannah More
Hannah More was an English religious writer, and philanthropist. She can be said to have made three reputations in the course of her long life: as a poet and playwright in the circle of Johnson, Reynolds and Garrick, as a writer on moral and religious subjects, and as a practical...
.
Children and descendents
In 1802 his daughter Hannah married Thomas Marlborough Pryor. His son Samuel (1783–1847) learned banking in Lombard Street from 1803, and in 1806 he married Louisa Gurney (1784 - 1836) of Earlham Hall near NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
. This connected the family to (Gurney's Bank), and also to Louisa's siblings Elizabeth Fry
Elizabeth Fry
Elizabeth Fry , née Gurney, was an English prison reformer, social reformer and, as a Quaker, a Christian philanthropist...
, prison reformer, Joseph John Gurney
Joseph John Gurney
Joseph John Gurney was a banker in Norwich, England and an evangelical Minister of the Religious Society of Friends , whose views and actions led, ultimately, to a schism among American Quakers.-Biography:...
and Samuel Gurney
Samuel Gurney
Samuel Gurney was an English banker and philanthropist.He should not be confused with his second son, Samuel , also described as banker and philanthropist, and a Member of Parliament.-Early years and marriage:...
, philanthropists, and Daniel Gurney
Daniel Gurney
Daniel Gurney , was an English banker and antiquary.Gurney was born at Earlham Hall, near Norwich, on 9 March 1791. He was youngest son of John Gurney of Earlham, Norfolk, and brother of Elizabeth Fry, the philanthropist, Louisa Gurney Hoare, the writer on education, and Joseph John Gurney and...
, banker and antiquary. The marriage was strongly supported by Samuel Hoare Jr. According to his daughter Sarah, "I know of no event which gave my father more pleasure than the engagement of his son to the daughter of his old friend. With perfect confidence in her principles, and a persuasion that she would make my brother happy, he was pleased with her being, like my mother, a Norfolk woman, and interested himself much in procuring for them an house at Hampstead that they might be established near him."
His descendants included Sir Samuel Hoare, M.P.
Sir Samuel Hoare, 1st Baronet
Sir Samuel Hoare, 1st Baronet , was an English Conservative Party politician. He sat in the House of Commons from 1886 to 1906....
, and Viscount Templewood.
His banking firm later merged with those of Joseph John Gurney
Joseph John Gurney
Joseph John Gurney was a banker in Norwich, England and an evangelical Minister of the Religious Society of Friends , whose views and actions led, ultimately, to a schism among American Quakers.-Biography:...
and Barclays to form part of Barclays Bank