Samuel Avery facts for kids

Samuel Avery was an important English politician and businessman who lived in the 1600s. He was a merchant in London and played a role in the government of his time. He passed away in 1664.

Early Life and Business

Samuel Avery was a successful merchant, which means he bought and sold goods for a living. He was based in the City of London, which was a very busy and important center for trade.

He was also a member of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors. This was a special group, or "guild," for people who worked with cloth and clothing. These companies were very powerful in London and helped control different trades.

Public Service in London

Samuel Avery held several important jobs in the City of London's local government. These roles helped him serve the people of London.

Alderman and Sheriff

• Alderman: In 1645, Samuel Avery was chosen as an alderman for the Cripplegate area of London. An alderman was a senior member of the city council, helping to make decisions for the city.
• Changing Wards: Later, in 1647, he became an alderman for a different area called Bassishaw ward. He kept this role until 1653.
• Sheriff of London: From 1647 to 1648, Avery also served as the Sheriff of London. The Sheriff was a very important officer responsible for law and order in the city.

Commissioner for Customs

From 1645 to 1649, Samuel Avery worked as a Commissioner for Customs. This meant he helped manage the taxes collected on goods coming into or leaving the country. This was a crucial job for the government's finances.

Member of Parliament

In 1654, Samuel Avery was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (often called an MP). He represented the City of London in a special government body called the First Protectorate Parliament. Being an MP meant he helped make laws and decisions for the whole country.

A Secret Letter

Some old papers belonging to a man named Samuel Hartlib include a letter that seems to be from Samuel Avery's brother, Joseph. The letter is dated June 16, 1642.

In this letter, Joseph Avery wrote that he was living in Germany. He mentioned that he was working on secret talks for King Charles I, who was the ruler of England at the time. Joseph also shared important information about the navy of Denmark, including how ready their ships were and what their plans might be. This shows that Samuel Avery had connections to important events and people during a very interesting time in history.