Sir Daniel Bellingham, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Daniel Bellingham, 1st Baronet, (around 1620 – 1672) was an important merchant and government official in Ireland. He was known for his work in the Dublin Castle administration, which was the center of English rule in Ireland at the time.
Early Life and Career
Daniel Bellingham was the older son of Robert Bellingham, who worked as a lawyer in the Court of Exchequer. His mother was Margaret Whyte. He also had a younger brother named Henry Bellingham.
In 1644, Daniel joined the Goldsmiths’ Company of Dublin. This was a group for people who worked with gold and silver. He became a "freeman" of Dublin in 1648. This meant he had special rights and could participate in the city's government.
He served as Sheriff of Dublin City in 1655. A sheriff was a high-ranking official responsible for law and order. In 1656, he became an alderman, which is like a city council member. By 1659, Bellingham was a major in the city's local army, called the militia. Even though he held these roles, he secretly stayed in touch with Duke of Ormond, a supporter of the king who was living in exile. When the king returned to power (this was called the Stuart Restoration), Daniel Bellingham was not punished for his secret contacts.
Important Roles and Titles
By 1660, Daniel Bellingham was a very wealthy man. He was chosen to provide clothing for the Irish Army in 1661. He was also part of a group that wanted to create new coins for Ireland. In 1662, they were given the job of inspecting and measuring cloth.
On September 30, 1662, he was made a knight at Dublin Castle. This meant he could use "Sir" before his name. From 1665 to 1666, he served as Lord Mayor of Dublin. He was the first person in this role to be called "Lord Mayor."
From 1661 to 1667, he also worked as the Deputy Receiver-General and Vice-Treasurer of Ireland. These were important jobs managing Ireland's money. However, his time in these financial roles was challenging. An investigation in 1668 found that he had faced difficulties in handling Ireland's money.
Family and Legacy
On March 18, 1667, Daniel Bellingham was given the title of baronet. This was a special honor that made his title hereditary, meaning it could be passed down to his eldest son. He became the 1st Baronet of Dubber in the Baronetage of Ireland.
Around 1645, he married Jane Barlow. They had one son and six daughters. Sir Daniel Bellingham passed away in 1672 and was buried in St. Werburgh's Church, Dublin. His eldest son, Richard, took over his title.
