Difference between revisions of "MRP: Sir Alexander Bence will"
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
Alexander Bence the younger was the commercial partner of Aaron Mico, as is recorded in Aaron Mico's will written in 1658.<ref>PROB 11/290 Pell 200–248 Will of Aaron Mico, Merchant of London 20 April 1659 </ref> Aaron Mico's will shows that his father was a clothier, and that Aaron preserved close links with Croscombe, Somerset. Presumably he and Bence were exporting Somerset cloth, amongst other goods, to Spain (and elsewhere) in the 1650s. | Alexander Bence the younger was the commercial partner of Aaron Mico, as is recorded in Aaron Mico's will written in 1658.<ref>PROB 11/290 Pell 200–248 Will of Aaron Mico, Merchant of London 20 April 1659 </ref> Aaron Mico's will shows that his father was a clothier, and that Aaron preserved close links with Croscombe, Somerset. Presumably he and Bence were exporting Somerset cloth, amongst other goods, to Spain (and elsewhere) in the 1650s. | ||
| − | In 1664 several letters from Sir Richard Fanshaw, the English ambassador to the court of | + | A series of Chancery index records dated 1667-1669 reveal a suit or suits between Mico and Bence, which may be related to the estate of Aaron Mico, or alternatively to the trading relationship between Alexander and/or John Bence with Samuell Mico, Aaron Mico's surviving brother.<ref>C 5/620/5 Mico v. Bence: Middlesex. 1664; C 5/411/133 Micoe v. Bence 1665; C 5/446/128 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1667; C 5/591/53 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1667; C 5/524/16 Micoe v. Bence: Middlesex. 1669; 5/446/127 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1669</ref> These records would merit investigation. |
| + | |||
| + | In 1664 several letters from Sir Richard Fanshaw, the English ambassador to the court of Madrid, note that Alexander Bence the younger was engaged in advancing the commercial interests of the Royal Africa Company on behalf of Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York.<ref>Letter from XXX to XXX; Letter from XXX to XXX. See Richard Fanshawe, ''Original letters of His Excellency Sir Richard Fanshaw: during his embassies in Spain and Portugal'' (London, 1702), pp. 59-60; 164-168</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is possible that Chancery records may reveal more of Alexander (and John) Bence's activities in the Royal African Company and in trade to and from Guinea. A Chancery index record dated 1679 appears to show a Bence together with a Vyner (?Robert) and a Letten (?Nathaniel and/or John) in dispute with the Royal Africa Company.<ref>C 10/206/2 African v. Vyner, Bence, Letten: Middx 1679</ref> | ||
'''John Bence, elder brother of Alexander Bence the younger''' | '''John Bence, elder brother of Alexander Bence the younger''' | ||
Revision as of 12:43, December 6, 2011
Contents
Sir Alexander Bence will
Editorial history
06/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted transcription
Abstract & context
Transcription
Commentary
Alexander Bence the younger, later Sir Alexander Bence
Alexander Bence the younger was the commercial partner of Aaron Mico, as is recorded in Aaron Mico's will written in 1658.[1] Aaron Mico's will shows that his father was a clothier, and that Aaron preserved close links with Croscombe, Somerset. Presumably he and Bence were exporting Somerset cloth, amongst other goods, to Spain (and elsewhere) in the 1650s.
A series of Chancery index records dated 1667-1669 reveal a suit or suits between Mico and Bence, which may be related to the estate of Aaron Mico, or alternatively to the trading relationship between Alexander and/or John Bence with Samuell Mico, Aaron Mico's surviving brother.[2] These records would merit investigation.
In 1664 several letters from Sir Richard Fanshaw, the English ambassador to the court of Madrid, note that Alexander Bence the younger was engaged in advancing the commercial interests of the Royal Africa Company on behalf of Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York.[3]
It is possible that Chancery records may reveal more of Alexander (and John) Bence's activities in the Royal African Company and in trade to and from Guinea. A Chancery index record dated 1679 appears to show a Bence together with a Vyner (?Robert) and a Letten (?Nathaniel and/or John) in dispute with the Royal Africa Company.[4]
John Bence, elder brother of Alexander Bence the younger
John Bence (b. 1622, d. 1688), the elder brother of Alexander Bence the younger (later Sir Alexander Bence) was "a merchant trading with Portugal, Brazil and the Levant."[5] John Bence appears to have been close to Sir Martin Noell, entering a partnership with him in 1663 for additional customs duties on wine, tobacco, silk and linen.[6] He was a member of the Royal Adventurers into Africa Company, and was secretary of the company by 1665.[7]
Notes
"April 9th. [16]64.[8]
My Lord,
I Am commanded by his Royal Highness to recommend to your favour this Gentleman Mr. Alexander Bence, who is employed by his Royal Highness direction in behalf of the Company of R. Adventurers Trading into Africa; the occasions on which he is employed are chiefly two; the one to follow the Companies concerns about a Licence to Import Negroes into Spain, concerning which your Excellency was made acquainted when you were in England; Th eother is to negotiate with the Seigniors Grilloe & Lomeline, concerning the delivering Blacks in the West-Indies, and concerning which they have atreaty depending in Holland, but because it may probably happen that the Person treating in Holland, wull reserve much to Seign. Grilloe, and Lomeline for their own determination, and that perhaps he (dwelling in Holland) may not be so equall to our Company, as we hope Seign. Grilloe and Lomeline are. His Highnes hath judged it best to have a Person at Madrid, who being fully instructed in all the concerns of the Company, may be ready on all occasions to promote their Interest; in all which as it is more then probable, that your countenance and favour may be very useful, so the said Mr. Bence hath orders to address himself to you on all occasions, from whome we all assure ourselves of support; because it is of moment to the Trade of England, and besides, because Ld. Amb. Fanshaw it is a Trade which his Royal Highness hath been pleased in a most peculiar manner to support, both with his countenance and care, of the latter whereof, his commands to me are in an instance; If it were proper for me to insert any thing of my own, in a Letter wholely designed to obey his Royal Highnesses commands, it should be to congratulate your safe arrival in Spain, and I hope, ev'n this at Madrid, and to desire you to be persuaded that I am.
My Lord,
Your Lordships most humble
and obsedient Servant,
W. Coventry."
- * *
"To Mr. Secretary Bennet.[9]
Madrid, Tuesday 19/29 July, 1664.
SIR,
Since I advertised you of Don John of Austria's Revocation from the Army, it hath been in this Court (according to vulgra Opinion, if not according to superior Consult, and supreme Dictate, off and on, at least 5 or 6 times a Yea, and a No,; but, in fine, his Highness doth come; and Comte Marcim is to Govern the Armies in the interim, till, the Marques of Mortara, or Carracena, or some other, shall be declared General.
...I do beseech you, to assure both his Majesty, and the Duke of York, from me, that (however I cannot well describe my steps therein, until I shall be near ready to fasten them) yet my daily study and labour is, to involve and fortifie in and by the Treaty (if ever it come to perfection) the advantages of the Crown, and of the Royal Company, in reference principally to the Blacks; whether upon the Foundation Mr. Bence hath already begun with Grillo, or upon other Footm, of a more durable and swaying Interest; but the Truth is 8as I do humbly conceive) that the high and certain Improvement of the Guinea Trade, by the West-Indies', doth upon the matter solely depend upon the powerful Vindicating and Appropriating to England, all, or the greatest part of the said Commerce, (towards which I understand a pretty step is already made:) For then, in case the Spaniards should not seek our Negroes at any hand, for their Works (which undoubtedly they would) we our selves might find work for them in the Indies, to a very considerable degree; however (as I have first said) I am and shall continue watchfull of all opportunities that shall be offered in this Court, for the improvement of that Affair, with the consequences thereof, as well for Profit, as in any other respects.
Your most Faithful, &c.
RICH. FANSHAW."
Possible primary sources
TNA
C 5/411/133 Micoe v. Bence 1665
C 5/416/62 Jaggard v. Bence: Sussex, &c. 1656
C 5/524/16 Micoe v. Bence: Middlesex. 1669
C 5/426/52 Larwood v. Bence: Suffolk. 1662
C 5/443/8 Bence v. Foord: Essex 1663
C 5/446/127 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1669
C 5/446/128 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1667
C 6/599/63 Short title: Corsellis v Bence. First plaintiff: Corsellis. Defendants: Bence. Document type: bill only. [1649-1714]
C 5/591/53 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1667
C 5/591/54 Bence v. Bridgwood: Middlesex 1670 (See Alexander Bence senior II will, which mentions a son-in-law Edward Bridgwood)
C 5/620/5 Mico v. Bence: Middlesex. 1664
C 6/184/13 Short title: Benzee v Bence. Plaintiffs: John Baptista Benzee and John Bueno Guipponi. Defendants: Sir Alexander Bence kt, John Penrice, Richard Adams, Robert Shaw, Alexander Milborne, Dame Jane Mico and others. Subject: money matters. Document type: bill, answer. 1669
C 6/187/19 Short title: Benzee v Bence. Plaintiffs: John Baptista Benzee and John Bueno. Defendants: Sir Alexander Bence kt, John Penrice, Richard Adams and Robert Shawe. Subject: money matters. Document type: answer only. 1669
C 10/153/20 Bence, Crispe, Colvile, Hoare, Warring, Graves v. Hnyvett, Saywell: Middx 1670
C 10/173/19 Crisp & Sir Nicholas bart. v. Bence & Crisp: Middx. 1674
C 10/177/4 Bence v. Hooker, Robinson, Bell: Middx 1674
C 10/206/2 African v. Vyner, Bence, Letten: Middx 1679
- ↑ PROB 11/290 Pell 200–248 Will of Aaron Mico, Merchant of London 20 April 1659
- ↑ C 5/620/5 Mico v. Bence: Middlesex. 1664; C 5/411/133 Micoe v. Bence 1665; C 5/446/128 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1667; C 5/591/53 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1667; C 5/524/16 Micoe v. Bence: Middlesex. 1669; 5/446/127 Bence v. Mico: Middlesex 1669
- ↑ Letter from XXX to XXX; Letter from XXX to XXX. See Richard Fanshawe, Original letters of His Excellency Sir Richard Fanshaw: during his embassies in Spain and Portugal (London, 1702), pp. 59-60; 164-168
- ↑ C 10/206/2 African v. Vyner, Bence, Letten: Middx 1679
- ↑ http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/bence-john-1622-88, viewed 06/12/11
- ↑ http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/bence-john-1622-88, viewed 06/12/11
- ↑ http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/bence-john-1622-88, viewed 06/12/11
- ↑ Richard Fanshawe, Original letters of His Excellency Sir Richard Fanshaw: during his embassies in Spain and Portugal (London, 1702), pp. 59-60
- ↑ Richard Fanshawe, Original letters of His Excellency Sir Richard Fanshaw: during his embassies in Spain and Portugal (London, 1702), pp. 164-168
