Thomas Savage (Shakespeare's trustee) facts for kids

Thomas Savage (born around 1552, died 1611) was an important businessman in London during the time of William Shakespeare. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, a group for skilled gold and silversmiths. He also worked as a "seacoal-meter," which meant he measured coal brought into London by ship.

Thomas Savage became quite wealthy. He owned several houses and even an inn. He is well-known for his connections to the famous Globe Theatre and to people like William Shakespeare and the actor John Heminges.

Who Was Thomas Savage?

Thomas Savage was born around 1552 in a place called Rufford, Lancashire, in England. His parents were Jeffry (or Geoffrey) Savage and Jenett (or Janet) Hesketh. They got married in 1551. Thomas might have had a younger brother named Peter and at least one sister.

Thomas Savage's Career and Business

Thomas Savage moved to London around 1580 and lived there until he died in 1611. He joined the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. This was a very old and respected group for people who worked with gold and silver. Even though we don't know the exact date he joined, we know he trained many young people as apprentices in the goldsmith trade. His own son, Richard, also became an apprentice in 1601.

However, Thomas Savage earned most of his money from being a "seacoal-meter." These officials were in charge of measuring all the coal that arrived in London by sea. It was a very important job because coal was a main source of energy back then.

Thomas Savage started with very little but became very rich. When he died, he owned at least five houses in London. One of these houses was rented by John Heminges, a famous actor and friend of Shakespeare. Thomas Savage also owned an inn called the George.

Thomas Savage and the Globe Theatre

In 1599, Thomas Savage played a key role in the history of the Globe Theatre. He and another man named William Leveson acted as "trustees." This meant they helped manage the shares for the original owners of the Globe Theatre. These owners included famous actors like William Kempe, Thomas Pope, Augustine Phillips, John Heminges, and even William Shakespeare himself! So, Thomas Savage helped make sure the ownership of the famous theatre was properly set up.

Connections to Shakespeare's Friends

Thomas Savage was also friends with John Jackson. John Jackson later became a deputy for John Heminges in the seacoal-meter office. Both John Jackson and John Heminges were important people who helped William Shakespeare buy a house called the Blackfriars Gatehouse in 1613. Thomas Savage trusted John Jackson so much that he named him as an "overseer" in his will. This meant John Jackson would help make sure Thomas Savage's wishes were carried out after his death.

Thomas Savage's Family Life

Thomas Savage was married twice and had five children. One of his wives was named Alice. She already had four children from her previous marriages. In his will, Thomas Savage mentioned "my mother-in-law, Mrs Wootton," which suggests that one of his wives might have had the last name Wotton.

His Last Will

Thomas Savage wrote his will on October 3, 1611. In it, he left money to his mother, Janet. He also gave money to his fellow members of the Goldsmiths' Company for a dinner. He even left money to help the poor people in his hometown of Rufford. His will showed that he was a very religious man, as he gave generous gifts to his church. He died shortly after making his will, and it was officially approved on October 26, 1611.