P_10433_0925 – John Mitford

D.O.B: D.O.D: 1720

Co-owner of a slaving voyage from London by the Shrewsbury Gall[y] to Africa and the York River in 1700.  This was very probably John Mitford the partner of Sir George Merttins (his son-in-law and later Lord Mayor of London): the two men were named in litigation alongside the executors of the will of Roger Shuller (q.v.), one of the co-owners of the 1700 voyage, in Wilkinson v Parry c. 1716. The will of John Mitford merchant of London of Stratford Le Bow made 07/08/1720 shows significant wealth, including at least £10,000 to his wife Sarah. The will is silent on George Merttins, but the will of John Mitford’s widow Sarah proved in 1740 sets out some of the family linkages, while the will of Sir George Merttins proved in 1727 also sheds light on the complex family. The John Mitford goldsmith who was bankrupt in 1720 with his then partner Michael Merttins was probably the husband of John Mitford the slave-trader’s grand-daughter Sarah, and the son-in-law of Sir George Merttins.  The Mitford family of the Earls of Redesdale descend from John Mitford (d. 1720) through his grandson John Mitford of Boldre Hampshire (d. c. 1761).