MRP: Sir Alexander Bence will

Sir Alexander Bence will (Alexander Bence the younger)

Editorial history

06/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted transcription

---

---

---

Commentary

Alexander Bence the younger, later Sir Alexander Bence

In the mid- to late-1650s, Alexander Bence the younger was the commercial partner of the merchant Aaron Mico: Aaron Mico having previously been based in Alicante, Spain, where he worked as a factor for his relative Samuel Mico. Samuel Mico was apparently quite deeply involved in trade with Spain. In 1650 Mico was exporting woollens from England to Alicante, and importing "in Raisins, Anniseeds, Almonds, Figs, and some Wines, &c".

Aaron Mico's will, written in 1658, shows that his father was a clothier, and that Aaron preserved close links with Croscombe, Somerset. Quite possibly Alexander Bence and Aaron Mico were exporting Somerset cloth, amongst other goods, to Spain (and elsewhere) in the 1650s following the formation of their partnership

A series of Chancery index records dated 1664-1669 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. 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.

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. There are also several Chancery records dated 1670 and 1674 involving Sir Nicholas Crispe and a Bence. These may also be related to trade to and from Guinea, given the known early involvement of the Crispe family in the Guinea trade.

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." 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. He was a member of the Royal Adventurers into Africa Company, and was secretary of the company by 1665.

---

Notes

Portuguese trade

Richard, Protector of the Commonwealth of England,&c. To the moft Serene and Potent Prince, John,King of Portugal.

Moft Serene and Potent Prince, our
Friend and Confederate ;

ALthough there are many things which we are bound to impart by writing to a King our Friend, and in strict Confederacy with our Republick, yet there is nothing which we ever did more willingly, than what we do at this present, by these our Letters to congratulate this last Victory, so glorious to the Kingdom of Portugal, obtain'd against our common Enemy the Spaniard. By which, how great an Advantage will accrue not only to your own, but to the Peace and Repose of all Europe, and that perhaps for many Years, there is no body but understands. But there is one thing more, wherein we must acknowledg your Majesty's Juftice, the most certain pledg of Victory ; That Satisfaction has been given by the Commissioners appointed at London, according to the 24th Article of the League, to our Merchants, whose Vessels were hir'd by the Brasile Company. Only there is one among 'em still remaining, Alexander Bence of London Merchant, whose Ship called the Three Brothers, John Wilks Master, being hir'd and laden, and having performed two Voyages for the said Company, yet still they refuse to pay him his Wages according to their Covenants ; when the rest that only perform'd single Voyages are already paid. Which why it should be done, we cannot understand, unless those People think, in their Judgment, that Person more worthy of his Hire, who did 'em only single Service, than he who earn'd his Wages twice. We therefore earnestly request your Majesty, that Satisfaction may be given for his Service truly perform'd, to this same single Alexander, to whom a double Stipend is due ; and that by virtue of your Royal Authority you would prefix the Brasile Company as short a day as may be, for the payment of his just due, and repairing his losses ; seeing that their Delays have been the occasion that the Loss suftain'd by the Merchant has very near exceeded the Money it self which is owing for his Wages. So God continue your Majefty's prosperous Successes againft the common Enemy.

From our Court at Weftminster,
Feb. 23. 1658."

• * *

"The Deputy having procured a letter of credit from Alexander Bence to Thomas Bird at Lisbon, to be taken to Madeira for supply of wines to the American, the same being for the Company's use, order is given for the Deputy to be indemnified."

Spanish trade

"The Treasury Lords to Mr. Stanhope, Envoy in Spain. We are informed by the Earl of Westmorland that there are in the hands of Francis Arthur, merchant in Madrid, 16,000 pieces of Eight, part of the estate of Sir Alexander Bence, deceased, and that Edmd. Bence, one of said Bence's executors, has sent procurations for suing same. Their Majesties have a very great demand from said Sir Alexander's estate as an undertaker for the Irish revenue in 1671, on which account there remains 75,553l. 18s. 4d. due to the Crown. Please take effectual care to stop all proceedings of Mr. Bence in this matter till their Majesties' said demand shall have been satisfied. (Out Letters (General) XIII, p. 269)"

Sir Richard Fanshawe correspondence

"April 9th. [16]64.

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.

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

C 22/229/7 Benzee v Bence. 1672