Merchant and banker. Born in Willesley, then in Derbyshire but now in Leicestershire. One of the first directors of the Bank of England. Lord Mayor of London 1700-01. That was an exciting time for him. He married his second wife Mary Gunston in 1700, and the following year she inherited what became Abney House and Park.
For thirty-six years Dr Isaac Watts was kept by the Abneys as their house guest, easily beating Dr Samuel Johnson who managed only 16 years with the Thrales.
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them