Andrew Riccard facts for kids
Sir Andrew Riccard (born around 1604 – died September 6, 1672) was an important English merchant and politician. He served in the House of Commons in 1654, helping to make laws for England.
Contents
Sir Andrew Riccard: A Merchant's Story
Early Life and Family Connections
Sir Andrew Riccard was born in a village called Portesham, England, around the year 1604. His father was Walter Riccard. Andrew married Catherine, whose father was a successful merchant and also a Member of Parliament.
Andrew and Catherine had a daughter named Christiana. She later married into important families. Through her, Sir Andrew became an ancestor of future noble Lords.
His Home Village: Portesham
By 1634, Sir Andrew Riccard had become quite wealthy. He even had his own special family symbol, known as a coat of arms. This symbol included a crest that showed his connections to trade in the eastern parts of the world.
His personal motto was 'Possum,' which means 'I am able' in Latin. This was also the common name for his home village, Portesham. He bought the land and properties of Portesham. After he passed away, these properties went to his daughter and her second husband.
A Generous Landowner
Sir Andrew was known for his kindness. He gave many of his tenants in Portesham the right to own their land freely. This was a very generous act. It gave the villagers more independence and a personal stake in their community.
People remembered his generosity. It was even mentioned in the words written about him after his death. You can still see his family's special shield, called a hatchment, in St Peter's Church, Portesham today.
The English Civil War and His Role
During the time of the English Civil War, Sir Andrew Riccard supported the King. He joined other important merchants in signing petitions against some of the decisions made by Parliament. However, he mostly stayed focused on his business. He tried to avoid getting too deeply involved in the political conflicts of the time.
Business and Public Service
Sir Andrew Riccard was a very busy and successful man. He owned many ships. He even rented them out to traders from Venice, who were major merchants in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In 1646, he was chosen to be part of the committee for the East India Company. This company was very important for trade with countries like India.
Roles in Trade Companies
Four years later, he became the treasurer for the Levant Company. This company traded with countries in the Middle East. In 1654, Sir Andrew became the Governor of the Levant Company. He held this important role for 18 years. He also served as Governor for the East India Company at different times.
Serving the City of London
Sir Andrew also became an Alderman of the City of London. This is a senior member of the city's government. In 1651, he served as the Sheriff of London. In 1653, he led the Drapers’ Company, a group for cloth merchants.
In 1654, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the City of London. After the King returned to power, King Charles II knighted him on July 10, 1660. This recognized his achievements and loyalty.
A Brief Challenge
In 1668, Sir Andrew faced a brief legal issue related to a disagreement. He was held for a few days while the matter was discussed by important officials. Luckily, he managed to resolve the situation without further trouble.
Remembering Sir Andrew Riccard
Sir Andrew Riccard passed away around the age of 68. This was on September 6, 1672. To honor him, members of the Turkey Company (another name for the Levant Company) built a large monument with a statue in St Olave’s church.
His Legacy
The words on his monument praised his active faith, strong honesty, and great skills. It also mentioned his generosity. He notably left the right to choose the parish priest to five senior residents of the church. His legacy was remembered with the Latin phrase: "Manet post funera virtus," which means "Virtue remains after death."
