Samuel Dashwood facts for kids

Sir Samuel Dashwood (born around 1643, died August 12, 1705) was an important English businessman and politician. He was a member of the Tory party. In 1702, he became the Lord Mayor of London, a very important job in the city. He was also a Justice of the Peace, which meant he had legal duties.

Early Life and Family

Samuel Dashwood was born to Francis Dashwood, a merchant in London, and his wife Alice Sleigh. He had a brother, Sir Francis Dashwood, 1st Baronet, and a cousin, Sir Robert Dashwood, 1st Baronet. His sister, Sarah, married a nobleman named Fulke Greville in 1665.

Political Career

Samuel Dashwood became a Sheriff of London in 1683. In the same year, he was knighted, which means he received the title "Sir" from the King. He also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the City of London in 1685 and again in 1690. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's government.

Roles in Government

Samuel's father collected a type of tax called "excise." Samuel followed in his father's footsteps and became a commissioner of excise in 1683. This role involved managing these taxes.

In 1687, he became an Alderman, a senior member of the city's government. However, King James II removed him from this position. This happened because Samuel refused to agree to the King's plan to stop the Corporation Act. This act was important for how cities were governed.

Lord Mayor of London

In 1702, Samuel Dashwood was a colonel in the City's Lieutenancy, a military group. He was also made a Justice of the Peace because he was willing to use his legal powers.

Later that year, Samuel Dashwood became the Lord Mayor of London. This was a very special time. He hosted Queen Anne at the London Guildhall. He organized a grand parade and show for her, which was written by Elkanah Settle. This event was the last of its kind, marking the end of an old tradition of lavish mayoral shows.

Personal Life

Portrait of his wife, Anne Dashwood (née Smith), by Peter Lely

On May 17, 1670, Samuel Dashwood married Anne Smith. Anne was the daughter of John Smith from Tedworth. Her brother, John Smith, later became a famous politician who managed the country's money as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Samuel and Anne had a large family with 14 children: four sons and ten daughters. Some of their children included:

• Elizabeth Dashwood, who married Andrew Archer, an MP for Warwickshire.
• George Dashwood (1680–1758), who became an MP for Stockbridge. He married Katherine Bristow.
• Jane Dashwood, who married William Phillipps.
• Sophia Dashwood, who married Francis Lewis, an MP for East Retford.
• Henrietta Dashwood (1687–1771), who married Sir Thomas Sebright, 4th Baronet.
• Sarah Dashwood, who married Richard Crawley.
• Annabella Dashwood (died 1771), who married Thomas Medley.

Samuel's fourth son, George, became his main heir because he was the oldest son who lived longer than his father. Samuel was a very successful businessman. He used his money to buy properties in Buckinghamshire and Surrey, but he continued to live in London. He passed away on August 12, 1705, and was buried at St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate. He left behind a large amount of money, about £100,000, which was shared among his two surviving sons and five daughters.

Descendants of Sir Samuel

Many of Samuel Dashwood's children and grandchildren also became important figures:

• Through his daughter Elizabeth, he was the grandfather of Thomas Archer, 1st Baron Archer and Henry Archer, both of whom served as MPs.
• His daughter Jane was the grandmother of Ambrose Phillipps, an MP for Leicestershire.
• Through his daughter Anne, he was the grandfather of Sir Thomas Sebright, 5th Baronet and Sir John Sebright, 6th Baronet.
• His daughter Sarah was the grandmother of John Crawley, an MP for Marlborough.
• Through his daughter Annabella, he was the grandfather of George Medley, an MP for East Grinstead and Seaford.