Biography of Andrew Riccard Merchant 1604-1672

Around 1604 Andrew Riccard Merchant was born to Walter Riccard.

In or before 1638 Andrew Riccard Merchant (age 34) and Catherine Hawkins were married. Her name assumed to Hawkins since Andrew subsequently became guardian to her niece Christian Hawkins. The niece may have been the daughter of a sister in which case Catherine's surname wasn't Hawkins.

In 1638 [his daughter] Christiana Riccard Baroness Berkeley was born to Andrew Riccard Merchant (age 34) and [his wife] Catherine Hawkins.

In 1644 [his father] Walter Riccard died.

In 1654 Andrew Riccard Merchant (age 50) was elected MP London.

On 14 Feb 1659 [his son-in-law] Henry Rich (age 17) and [his daughter] Christiana Riccard Baroness Berkeley (age 21) were married. He the son of Robert Rich 5th Earl Warwick 2nd Earl Holland (age 40) and Elizabeth Ingram Countess Holland (age 36).

On 10 Jul 1662 Andrew Riccard Merchant (age 58) was knighted by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 32).

Before 03 May 1663 John Dawes 1st Baronet (age 19) and Christian Hawkins were married without the permission of her guardian Andrew Riccard Merchant (age 59). Some sources refer to her as Christian Lyons, some Lygons.

Pepy's Diary. 03 May 1663. Lord's Day. Up before 5 o'clock and alone at setting my Brampton papers to rights according to my father's and my computation and resolution the other day to my good content, I finding that there will be clear saved to us £50 per annum, only a debt of it may be £100. So made myself ready and to church, where Sir W. Pen (age 42) showed me the young lady which young Dawes (age 19), that sits in the new corner-pew in the church, hath stole away from Sir Andrew Rickard (age 59), her guardian, worth £1000 per annum present, good land, and some money, and a very well-bred and handsome lady: he, I doubt, but a simple fellow. However, he got this good luck to get her, which methinks I could envy him with all my heart.

Before 1665 [his son-in-law] John Berkeley 1st Baron Berkeley (age 63) and [his daughter] Christiana Riccard Baroness Berkeley (age 26) were married. The difference in their ages was 36 years.

Pepy's Diary. 23 Jan 1665. Thence to the Court of the Turkey Company at Sir Andrew Rickard's (age 61) to treat about carrying some men of ours to Tangier, and had there a very civil reception, though a denial of the thing as not practicable with them, and I think so too.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Apr 1667. So home to supper and to bed. This morning come to me the Collectors for my Pollmoney; for which I paid for my title as Esquire and place of Clerk of Acts, and my head and wife's, and servants' and their wages, £40 17s; and though this be a great deal, yet it is a shame I should pay no more; that is, that I should not be assessed for my pay, as in the Victualling business and Tangier; and for my money, which, of my own accord, I had determined to charge myself with £1000 money, till coming to the Vestry, and seeing nobody of our ablest merchants, as Sir Andrew Rickard (age 63), to do it, I thought it not decent for me to do it, nor would it be thought wisdom to do it unnecessarily, but vain glory.

Pepy's Diary. 16 May 1667. At noon, this being Holy Thursday, that is, Ascension Day, when the boys go on procession round the parish, we were to go to the Three Tuns' Tavern [Map], to dine with the rest of the parish; where all the parish almost was, Sir Andrew Rickard (age 63) and others; and of our house, J. Minnes (age 68), W. Batten (age 66), W. Pen (age 46), and myself; and Mr. Mills did sit uppermost at the table.

Pepy's Diary. 30 Sep 1667. So by coach home, and there find our pretty girl Willet come, brought by Mr. Batelier, and she is very pretty, and so grave as I never saw a little thing in my life. Indeed I think her a little too good for my family, and so well carriaged as I hardly ever saw. I wish my wife may use her well. Now I begin to be full of thought for my journey the next week, if I can get leave, to Brampton [Map]. Tonight come and sat with me Mr. Turner and his wife and tell me of a design of sending their son Franke to the East Indy Company's service if they can get him entertainment, which they are promised by Sir Andr. Rickard (age 63), which I do very well like of. So the company broke up and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 30 Apr 1668. Up, and at the office all the morning. At noon Sir J. Minnes (age 69) and I to the Dolphin Tavern, there to meet our neighbours, all of the Parish, this being Procession-day, to dine. And did; and much very good discourse; they being, most of them, very able merchants as any in the City: Sir Andrew Rickard (age 64), Mr. Vandeputt, Sir John Fredericke (age 66), Harrington, and others. They talked with Mr. Mills about the meaning of this day, and the good uses of it; and how heretofore, and yet in several places, they do whip a boy at each place they stop at in their procession.

Pepy's Diary. 03 May 1668. Lord's Day. Up, and to church, where I saw Sir A. Rickard (age 64), though he be under the Black Rod, by order of the Lords' House, upon the quarrel between the East India Company and Skinner, which is like to come to a very great heat between the two Houses.

Pepy's Diary. 09 May 1668. Up, and to the office, where all the morning we sat. Here I first hear that the Queene (age 58) hath miscarryed of a perfect child, being gone about ten weeks, which do shew that she can conceive, though it be unfortunate that she cannot bring forth. Here we are told also that last night the Duchesse of Monmouth (age 17), dancing at her lodgings, hath sprained her thigh. Here we are told also that the House of Commons sat till five o'clock this morning, upon the business of the difference between the Lords and them, resolving to do something therein before they rise, to assert their privileges. So I at noon by water to Westminster, and there find the King (age 37) hath waited in the D. Gawden's chamber these two hours, and the Houses are not ready for him. The Commons having sent this morning, after their long debate therein the last night, to the Lords, that they do think the only expedient left to preserve unity between the two Houses is, that they do put a stop to any proceedings upon their late judgement against the East India Company, till their next meeting; to which the Lords returned answer that they would return answer to them by a messenger of their own, which they not presently doing, they were all inflamed, and thought it was only a trick, to keep them in suspense till the King (age 37) come to adjourne them; and, so, rather than lose the opportunity of doing themselves right, they presently with great fury come to this vote: "That whoever should assist in the execution of the judgement of the Lords against the Company, should be held betrayers of the liberties of the people of England, and of the privileges of that House". This the Lords had notice of, and were mad at it; and so continued debating without any design to yield to the Commons, till the King (age 37) come in, and sent for the Commons, where the Speaker made a short but silly speech, about their giving Him £300,000; and then the several Bills, their titles were read, and the King's assent signified in the proper terms, according to the nature of the Bills, of which about three or four were public Bills, and seven or eight private ones, the additional Bills for the building of the City and the Bill against Conventicles being none of them. The King (age 37) did make a short, silly speech, which he read, giving them thanks for the money, which now, he said, he did believe would be sufficient, because there was peace between his neighbours, which was a kind of a slur, methought, to the Commons; and that he was sorry for what he heard of difference between the two Houses, but that he hoped their recesse would put them into a way of accommodation; and so adjourned them to the 9th of August, and then recollected himself, and told them the 11th; so imperfect a speaker he is. So the Commons went to their House, and forthwith adjourned; and the Lords resumed their House, the King (age 37) being gone, and sat an hour or two after, but what they did, I cannot tell; but every body expected they would commit Sir Andrew Rickard (age 64), Sir Samuel Barnardiston, Mr. Boone, and Mr. Wynne, who were all there, and called in, upon their knees, to the bar of the House; and Sir John Robinson (age 53) I left there, endeavouring to prevent their being committed to the Tower, lest he should thereby be forced to deny their order, because of this vote of the Commons, whereof he is one, which is an odde case1.

Note 1. This "odd case" was that of Thomas Skinner and the East India Company. According to Ralph, the Commons had ordered Skinner, the plaintiff, into the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms, and the Lords did the same by Sir Samuel Barnadiston, deputy-governor of the company, as likewise Sir Andrew Rickard (age 64), Mr. Rowland Gwynn, and Mr. Christopher Boone. B.

Before 23 Jul 1672 Andrew Riccard Merchant (age 68) and Susanna Bateman were married.

On 23 Jul 1672 Andrew Riccard Merchant (age 68) made his will:

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Andrewe Riccard Cittizen and Merchant of London aged Threescore and Nyne yeares or thereabouts Praysed Be God of sound and perfect memory Calling to mind the frailty of all mankind my owne age And bodily infirmities Doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament (written in my own hand), in manner and forme following (That is to say)

First and principally I give upp and Resign my soule into the hands of Allmighty God my Creator that gave me the same Trusting in the meritts of my Alsufficient Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and renouncing and disclayming any meritt or worthiness of my owne) I say I humbly trust to be saved and to enjoy everlasting Bliss and happiness with the Saints and Angells To all Eternity.

And for my Body and earthly part I Comitt it to the earth whereof it was made To be decently buried and without much Pompe or any ostentation att the direction of my Executix hereafter named.

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my ffaithfull and beloved wife Susanna One full Third part of my Personall Estate according to the Lawdable Custome of the Citty of London my debts being paid and ffunerall Charges deducted.

ITEM I hereby give to my said deare and loveing wife one halfe part of all my Lands Tenements and hereditaments whatsoever And all the Rents and profitts of the said halfe part during her naturall life.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my said Loveing wife All my householdstuff, my Coach and Coach horses And one hundred ounces of Plate such as she shall think fitt to take.

ITEM I give to my said wife and Consort the lease of my house in Marke Lane [Map] she paying the Rent of one hundred pounds per Annum to the Landlord.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my Brother Jn. Riccard of Portsham in the County of Dorset one halfe part of the Rents and proffitts of the ffarmes of Portesham Ashton and Steepleton over and above my wife's halfe part bequeathed to her as before And my said brother to have and enjoy the said halfe parte of the Rents and proffitts of the said ffarmes and tenements the Second Third and ffourth yeare after my decease for the better support of himselfe and education of his children and no longer

ITEM I give and bequeath unto my only daughter [his daughter] Christian Lady Berkeley (age 34) one hundred pounds in full of her Childs part any other Consideracon whatsover In regard she had a faire part and potion out of my Estate to preferre and advance her in marriage And for some other reasons not fitt to be in this place menconed

ITEM I give and hereby will and order and by these presents bequeath unto my Second Grandsonne and Godsonne John Berkeley (age 9) All the Residue and remainder of all my Reall Estate scituate lying and being in the Parishes of Portsham Steepleton and Winterborne St Martins in the County of Dorsett To have and to hold the said ffarmes lands and tenements to him and his heires for ever And in case he shall happen to dye before he attaine to the age of twenty one yeares or without issue of his body lawfully begotten Then I give and bequeath the said ffarmes lands and tenements to my Third Grandson, Maurice Bentley1And if he chance to dye before he attaine to the age of of Twenty one yeares or without issue lawfully begotten Then and in that case I give the said ffarmes Lands and tenements to William Bentley1 my youngest grandson and his heires forever.

ITEM I hereby give bequeath and will my only granddaughter Anne Berkeley (age 7) to advance her and preferre herin marriage to a sober and prudent Gentleman such as my Executrix shall approve of if she be alive And this her portion of ffoure thousand pounds with the interest thereof I hereby order to be paid her att the day of her marriage or when she attaines to the age of Twenty one yeares And in case it shall please God she dye before she marry or attaine Twenty one yeares before paid this and in that case I will the said ffoure thousand pounds and all the proffitts and interest thereof to be paid to my surviving Grandchildren by even and equall shares and proportions att such tyme as they shall attain to Twenty one yeares of age

ITEM I give and bequeath to my neece Mary Riccard now in house with me towards a Marriage Portion two hundred pounds to be paid her by my Executrix att her daye of marriage.

ITEM I give and bequeath to each of my servants that have been with me one whole yeare or more ffive pounds a peece.

ITEM I give to the poore of the parish of St Olaves Hartstreet [Map] wherin I have long lived ffifty pounds within one yeare after my death.

ITEM I hereby give and bequeath to Mr Danll Mills Rector of the said parish ffifty pounds.

ITEM I give and bequeath to the poore of St Thomas Hospitall in Southwark to be disposed of for their Reliefe as the President and Governors of that hospitall shall judge meete one hundred Pounds to be paid within one yeare after my death.

ITEM I give to the poore of the Company of Drapers one hundred pounds to be paid them within one yeare after my death And to be disposed of for aforesaid Poore their most advantage and in such manner as the Master Wardens and Assistants shall judge meete.

ITEM I give to the East India Company ffor their poore at Poplar one hundred pounds And to be paid said Company for the use of these poore within one yeare after my decease And to be added to Almshouse Stocke.

ITEM I herby give and bequeath unto ffrancis Riccard, my nephew and servant one hundred pounds to be paid him Two yeares after my death.

ITEM I hereby give bequeath and will my only granddaughter Anne Berkeley (age 7) to advance her and preferre herin marriage to a sober and prudent Gentleman such as my Executrix shall approve of if she be alive And this her portion of ffoure thousand pounds with the interest thereof I hereby order to be paid her att the day of her marriage or when she attaines to the age of Twenty one yeares And in case it shall please God she dye before she marry or attaine Twenty one yeares before paid this and in that case I will the said ffoure thousand pounds and all the proffitts and interest thereof to be paid to my surviving Grandchildren by even and equall shares and proportions att such tyme as they shall attain to Twenty one yeares of age

ITEM I give and hereby bequeath to my ffive Grandchildren Charles, John (age 9), Morris1, William (age 9) and Anne Berkely (age 7) all the residue and remainder of my estate to be equally divided betweene them To each one ffifth part To be paid them by my Executrix or to such Trustees as their ffather [his son-in-law] Lord John Berkeley (age 70) and my Executrix shall agree upon or in case of death or absence of the Lord Berkeley to such trustees as my said Executrix and my daughter Berkeley shall agree upon.

And that as soone as my Estate come into the particulars whereof appeare by an estimate hereto Annexed, in default of Books of accompt which may not appeare soe Regulah as may be expected And in Case of Death the Survivors of them to enjoy it

ITEM I hereby nominate and appointe my deare and loving wife to be my sole executrix and give her power and Authority to see this my Last Will and Testament faithfully and duly executed I will and make void All former wills whatsoever

In witness whereof I have hereto sett my hand and seale This Twenty Third day of July 1672 In London Amen

[Andr: Riccard is inserted into the LH margin]

Signed Sealed published and declared, in the presence of [NO NAMES WERE INSERTED]

Note 1. TT. Not clear whether these refers to Berkeley rather than Bentley. William Berkeley was a son of Christiana and John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton. Andrew Riccard appears to have had only one child Christiana who only had issue with her third husband John Berkeley. Maurice, or Morris, possibly a child between John and William. Christiana's husband John's father was Maurice Berkeley.

On 05 Sep 1672 Andrew Riccard Merchant (age 68) died.

Before 06 Sep 1672 Andrew Riccard Merchant (deceased) was appointed Chairman of the East India Company.

After 06 Sep 1672 Andrew Riccard Merchant (deceased) was buried at St Olave's Church [Map] where a monument was erected with the inscription:

Sacred be the statue here raised by gratitude and respect to eternize the memory of Sir Andrew Riccard, knight, a citizen, and opulent merchant of London; whose active piety, inflexible integrity, and extensive abilities, alike distinguished and exalted him in the opinion of the wise and good. Adverse to his wish, he was frequently chosen chairman of the Honourable East India Company, and filled, with equal credit, for eighteen successive years, the same eminent station in the Turkey Company. Among many instances of his love to God and liberal spirit towards man, one, as it demands peculiar praise, deserves to be distinctly recorded. He nobly left the perpetual advowson of this parish in trust to five of its senior inhabitants. He died 6th Sept., in the year of our Lord, 1672, of his age, 68. "Manet post funera virtus."

Register of St Olaves Church Hart Street London 1563 1700 Burials. 17 Sep 1672. Sr Andrew Riccard (deceased), obijt 6 p'"nt & buryed 17 Sept, 1672: chauncell.

Before 17 Mar 1686 [his former wife] Susanna Bateman died. On 17 Mar 1686 she was buried at St Olave's Church [Map].

Register of St Olaves Church Hart Street London 1563 1700 Burials. 17 Mar 1687. Dame Susanna Ricards, wid., ye relict of Sr Andrew Ricards, deceased: chauncill.