Sir Francis Child - A Heddington Famous Son
Sir Francis Child (1642–1713), was an English banker and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1698 and 1713. He was Lord Mayor of London in 1698/9. The goldsmith’s business which he built up from 1671 became one of the first London banks, Child & Co. He was later heralded as ‘the father of the profession’
Francis Child was baptised at St Andrews Church, Heddington on 14th December 1642. He was the sixth son of Robert Child of Heddington, Wiltshire by his wife Jane Titcombe.
Aged 14, Francis was apprenticed to the Goldsmiths Co. Once made free, Francis was then employed by William Wheeler, a goldsmith who conducted business at the sign of the Marygold by Temple Bar.
When William Wheeler died, Robert Blanchard married William Wheeler’s widow taking over the business. Robert took Francis Child into partnership.
Francis married Elizabeth daughter of William Wheeler in 1671 and they had 15 children. Three of his sons rose to prominence.
Robert, the second son was elected Alderman of Farringdon Ward Without (1713), Colonel in the Honourable Artillery Company, Knighted in 1714. Robert followed his father as M.P. for Devizes in 1713.
Francis, fifth son was known as Sir Francis Child the younger. Elected Alderman of Farringdon Ward West (1721), Sheriff (1722), Lord Mayor and knighted (1732).
Samuel, sixth son became M.P. for Devizes. Samuel’s granddaughter and heiress, Sarah Child, was the heroine of a romantic elopement and marriage at Gretna Green with the Earl of Westmoreland in 1782.
In 1681 Robert Blanchard died, the bulk of the estate including the bank came to Child. Childs Bank soon prospered and amongst its many clients were King Charles II, Prince Rupert, Nell Gwynne. Oliver Cromwell was said to be a customer also.
Robert Child, father of Francis, died in Heddington in 1688.
In 1689 a rumour circulated that there was going to be a run on Childs bank. This came into the knowledge of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (then Lady Churchill), who set to work and collected amongst her friends as much gold as she was able which she brought down to the bank in her coach on the very morning that the run was to be made, so enabling the bank to meet all demands.
In that same year, Child was knighted and appointed “jeweller in ordinary” to King William III.
Jane Child, mother of Francis died, buried at Heddington on 14th June 1690.
In 1711 Sir Francis “a banker of great opulence and eminence”, purchased the family seat of Osterley Park, Middlesex.
In 1713 on the 4th October Francis died at his home East End House, Fulham. In his will is a bequest of a sum of money to be distributed among the poor of Heddington where he adds ‘I was born’.
After Francis died his 3 sons (Robert, Francis and Samuel) ran the business.
