John Bence (1622–1688) facts for kids
John Bence (1622 – 4 March 1688) was an English businessman and politician. He was a member of the English Parliament at different times between 1659 and 1688.
Contents
Early Life and Business
John Bence was born in 1622. He was the oldest son of Alexander Bence and Anne Aylett. His father was from Aldeburgh, Suffolk, and also lived in London. John was baptised on October 3, 1622.
John Bence became a successful merchant. He traded goods with countries like Portugal, Brazil, and the Levant (an area in the Middle East).
In 1662, John Bence teamed up with Sir Martin Noel. They worked together to collect extra taxes on items like wine, tobacco, silk, and linen. When his father passed away in 1663, John inherited his property.
He also invested money in the Royal Adventurers into Africa Company. By 1665, he became the secretary of this company.
Roles in London Government
John Bence held several important positions in London. From 1664 to 1680, he helped collect taxes for London.
In 1664, he became an alderman of London. An alderman was a senior member of the city council. However, he paid £720 in 1665 to be excused from this role.
He was also involved with the Worshipful Company of Grocers. This was a powerful trade group for merchants who dealt with spices and other goods. He served as an assistant from 1664 to 1687. He was a warden from 1667 to 1668 and then the master of the Grocers Company from 1668 to 1669.
In 1665, John Bence and his brother, Sir Alexander Bence, were given a special job. They collected rents for the Crown (the King) from lands in Ireland.
Political Career
John Bence was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Aldeburgh several times.
First Election to Parliament
In 1659, he was first elected as an MP for Aldeburgh. This was during the Third Protectorate Parliament.
Joining the Cavalier Parliament
In 1669, John Bence won a special election in Aldeburgh. He beat Samuel Pepys, who was a well-known official. This election allowed Bence to join the Cavalier Parliament.
Continued Service as MP
John Bence continued to be active in politics and business.
- From 1672 to 1673, he was an assistant of the Royal African Company.
- From 1673 to 1680, he helped collect taxes for Aldeburgh.
- In 1675, he helped identify people in Suffolk who refused to follow the Church of England.
- He was a Deputy Lieutenant of London from 1676 to 1683. This was a high-ranking local official role.
- In 1678, he became a freeman of the East India Company, a major trading company.
He was re-elected as an MP for Aldeburgh in October 1679. He also served as an assistant of the Royal African Company from 1680 to 1682. He was re-elected as MP for Aldeburgh again in 1681 and 1685.
In 1687, he was removed from his position on the court of assistants for the Grocers’ Company.
Family Life
John Bence was married twice.
His first marriage was by 1653 to Judith Andrews. She was the daughter of Peter Andrews, a merchant from London. They had a son who passed away before John, and a daughter named Rachel. Rachel later married Vere Fane, 4th Earl of Westmorland.
His second marriage was in 1661 to Joan Wood. She was the widow of John Wood, a merchant, and the daughter of Sampson Cotton, also a merchant.
John Bence passed away on March 4, 1688, at the age of 65. His cousin, John Bence, who also became an MP, was named as his executor.
