Peter Du Cane Sr. facts for kids

Peter Du Cane (born April 22, 1713 – died March 28, 1803) was a very successful British businessman in the 1700s. He made a lot of money from owning land, investing, and especially from something called marine insurance. This type of insurance helps protect ships and their cargo when they travel across the sea.

Peter Du Cane: A Life of Business and Service

Peter Du Cane was a busy and important person in his time. He was known for his smart business decisions and for helping his community.

His Family and Early Life

Peter Du Cane came from a well-known family. His father was Richard Du Cane, who was a Member of Parliament (M.P.). This means his father helped make laws for the country. In 1735, Peter Du Cane married Mary Norris. She was a wealthy heiress, meaning she inherited a lot of money. Her father, Henry Norris, was also a successful London businessman. He had many trading interests, especially with Russia.

A Top Businessman

Peter Du Cane was a leading merchant, which is someone who buys and sells goods to make money. He was very good at this. He also held several important positions:

• He was a Director of the Bank of England. This bank is very important for the country's money system.
• He was a Director of the East India Company from 1750 to 1753. This company was a huge trading business that brought goods from places like India to Britain.
• He was the Vice-President of the London Infirmary, which was a hospital helping people in London.

Serving His Community

Beyond his business, Peter Du Cane also served his community. In 1744-1745, he was the High Sheriff of Essex. A High Sheriff was a very important official in a county, responsible for keeping law and order. He also supported the church in Coggeshall, where he owned a lot of land.

His Home at Braxted Park

In 1745, Peter Du Cane bought a large estate called Braxted Park in Essex. This became the family's main home. It was a beautiful place where his family lived.

His Portraits

Peter Du Cane was important enough to have his portrait painted. One painting was done by an Austrian artist named Anton von maron when Du Cane was traveling in Italy. This painting is now in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. There is also another famous painting called the 'Du Cane Triptych' from 1747. It was painted by Arthur Devis (1712–1787). This painting shows the Du Cane family, including his three children, enjoying the grounds of their home at Braxted Park. The house itself can be seen in the background of the painting.