Sir Henry Ashurst, 1st Baronet (8 September 1645 – 13 April 1711) was an English Whig politician, merchant, and colonial agent who sat in the House of Commons of England between 1681 and 1702. A prominent supporter of Nonconformity, he served as the London agent for the New England colonies of Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut and was created a baronet in 1688.
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Early life and family
Ashurst was born on 8 September 1645, the eldest son of Henry Ashurst (c. 1614–1680), a wealthy London draper, alderman, and influential Presbyterian benefactor, and Judith Reresby. His younger brother, Sir William Ashurst, was a prominent merchant who later served as Lord Mayor of London in 1693 and as a Member of Parliament.
Raised in a devout Puritan household, Ashurst developed close ties with prominent Nonconformist theologians, including Richard Baxter, a long-time family friend. On 26 March 1670, Ashurst married Diana Paget (c. 1648–1707), daughter of William Paget, 6th Baron Paget. The couple had several children, including:
Sir Henry Ashurst, 2nd Baronet (c. 1670–1732), who succeeded to the baronetcy and later served as MP for Windsor.