Sir John Fryer, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir John Fryer, 1st Baronet (born September 14, 1671 – died September 11, 1726) was an important London businessman and politician. He was a Presbyterian leader, a pewterer (someone who works with pewter metal), a merchant, and even the Lord Mayor of London. He was given the special title of baronet on December 13, 1714. This title meant he was a knight, and it was passed down through his family, but it ended when he died in 1726 because he had no surviving sons.

Sir John Fryer wrote about why he became a baronet: "The King was pleased to make me a Barronett... This favour was given to me for my loyalty to the Protestant royal family and for not giving up my public role when a law was made to exclude Protestants who were not part of the Church of England from public jobs."

Life Story

John Fryer was born in Buckinghamshire, England. His father was Francis Fryer. John believed his family came from Oxfordshire. His grandfather, Francis Freer, settled in a place called The Abbey in Little Marlow, where he rented a farm. John was the only child who survived from his father's third marriage to Susannah Boulter. Susannah's uncle was a very rich London merchant named Sir John Cutler. When Sir John Cutler's own heirs died young, his large estates went to Susannah's family.

These estates were huge and included places like Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire, Gawthorpe Hall and Harewood Castle in Yorkshire, and land in Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, and Hampshire. John Fryer received the estate at Wherwell in Hampshire. He built a large house there called Wherwell Priory and made it his home.

His Career in London

John Fryer started his career as a pewterer. This meant he made things out of pewter, a type of metal. Later, to be able to become Lord Mayor, he also joined the Fishmongers' Company.

He became an Alderman for the area of Queenhithe in London on February 7, 1710, and held this position until he died. He was made a baronet on December 21, 1714.

Sir John Fryer was also a Sheriff of the City of London from 1715 to 1716. Then, he became the 386th Lord Mayor of London from 1720 to 1721. The next year, he was the main leader of the Fishmongers' Company. He was also chosen to be a director for important trading companies like the East India Company and the South Sea Company.

Family Life

Sir John Fryer was married three times. His first wife, Katherine Weedon, died in 1718. His second wife, Dorcas Roberts, died in 1723. He then married Isabella Gerard in 1725, and she outlived him.

He kept a small book where he wrote down important events in his life, starting in 1715.

His only son who lived to be an adult, John Fryer (from his first marriage), sadly died two years before him in 1724, at the age of 24. His daughter Delicia, from his second marriage, was adopted by her aunt and uncle.

Sir John Fryer died at his home in Wherwell on September 11, 1726, at 55 years old, due to an illness. Since he had no surviving sons, his baronetcy title ended when he died.

Key Moments

• 1671: Born in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
• 1686: Began his apprenticeship as a pewterer in London.
• 1693: Became a free member of the Pewterers' Guild.
• 1709: Inherited estates in Hampshire, including Wherwell, and began building Wherwell Priory.
• 1710: Elected Alderman of Queenhithe in London.
• 1714: Created a baronet by the King.
• 1715: Elected Sheriff of London during a time of political unrest.
• 1720: Became the Lord Mayor of London.
• 1726: Died at Wherwell.

His Children

Sir John Fryer was survived by two daughters from his first marriage to Katherine Weedon:

• Bithia Brassey (1698–1742)
• Susannah Fryer (1712–1731), who never married.

He also had one daughter from his second marriage to Dorcas Roberts:

• Dilitia Iremonger (1721–1744), whose family continued to live at Wherwell Priory.

Some of his notable descendants include:

• William Iremonger (1776–1852), a colonel who built a monument in Wherwell.
• Frederic Athelwold Iremonger (1878–1952), an important Anglican priest and radio broadcaster.
• Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon (1897–1977), who became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Images for kids

• 

  Haseley memorial at St Nicholas Deptford

• 

  Haseley Court in Little Haseley, Oxfordshire