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.