Child, Francis |
| GOLDSMITH, BANKER (GREAT BRITAIN) |
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BORN 1642 - DIED 4 Oct 1713, London: Fulham GRAVE LOCATION London: All Saints Churchyard, Putney Bridge Approach, Fulham |
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Francis Child was the son of the clothier Robert Child of Heddington in Wiltshire. In London, Francis was apprenticed in 1656 for eight years to the goldsmith William Hall. In 1664 he became a goldsmith himself. In 1671 he married Elizabeth Wheeler, the daughter of the goldsmith William Wheeler (d.1663). Wheeler's company was inherited by his widow and her new husband Robert Blanchard. Child became a partner in the company and inherited most of Blanchard's fortune when he died in 1681. He entered into banking transactions and this resulted in Child's bank. He gave up his work as a goldsmith and lent large sums of money to the government. In 1681 he was elected a member of the court of common council in London and in 1689 he became an alderman. He was also knighted in 1689 and he became a member of Parliament in the same year. He was lord Mayor of London from 1698 to 1699. He was a benefactor of Christ's Hospital. He lived at Fulham in his mansion East End House. He died in Fulmham and was buried at All Saints Churchyard. His wife survived him until 1719 or 1720. |
| Images | |
 The grave of Francis Child at All Saints Churchyard, Fulham, London. Picture by Androom (08 Aug 2025) |
 The grave of Francis Child at All Saints Churchyard, Fulham, London. Picture by Androom (08 Aug 2025) |
Sources • Vincent, Benjamin, Haydn's Dictionary of Dates, and Universal Information, Ward, Lock & Co, London, 1906 • Francis Child (died 1713) - Wikipedia (EN) |
