Joseph Hurlock facts for kids

Joseph Hurlock (born around 1715, died 1793) was an important person who helped lead the East India Company. This company was a powerful British trading business. It played a big role in trade between Britain and Asia, especially India.

Joseph Hurlock's Early Life and Career

Joseph Hurlock began his career with the East India Company in 1730. He started as a "writer" in British Bencoolen. This was a British trading post on the island of Sumatra. A writer was like a clerk or secretary. They handled important documents and records for the company.

Hurlock arrived in Sumatra on July 12, 1731. He worked his way up in the company. By 1745, he was living in a place called Moco Moco. Later, from 1746 to 1752, he became the deputy-governor at Fort Marlborough. This was the main British fort in Bencoolen.

Returning to England and New Roles

In 1752, Joseph Hurlock sailed back to England. He traveled on a ship called the Onslow. Once in England, he got married. He lived in a grand house called Fleetwood House for a while. After his wife passed away in 1766, he moved to London. Later in his life, he lived at Lindsey House in Chelsea.

Hurlock became a director of the East India Company in 1768. This meant he was one of the leaders who made big decisions for the company. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group for scientists. He also helped lead committees for the Society of Arts. This group encouraged new ideas and inventions.

Joseph Hurlock died in 1793 when he was 78 years old. He was buried in Stoke Newington. A special monument was made for him in the church there. It was created by a famous sculptor named Thomas Banks.

Joseph Hurlock's Family

Joseph Hurlock married Sarah Hartopp in June 1755. Sarah was the daughter of a nobleman, Sir John Hartopp, 4th Baronet. Sadly, Sarah passed away in 1766. They had one daughter named Anne. Anne later married a man named Edmund Bunney. He later changed his name to Edmund Cradock-Hartopp.

Images for kids

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  Fleetwood House, Stoke Newington, as it looked in 1750.