William Ashhurst

Sir William Ashhurst (26 April 1647 – 12 January 1720) was an English banker, merchant and Whig politician who sat in the English and British House of Commons from 1689 to 1710. He also served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1693. Early life Ashurst was the son of Henry Ashurst, Merchant Taylor, of Watling Street and Hackney, Middlesex, and his wife was Judith Reresby, daughter of William Reresby, merchant, of London. He was apprenticed to his father in 1662, and became a Freeman of the Merchant Taylor's Company in 1669. He married Elizabeth Thompson, the daughter of Robert Thompson, merchant, of Newington Green, Surrey, by licence dated 31 August 1668. Career Ashurst became a successful woollen draper, trading with North America. In 1679 he became a Common Councillor for Bread Street Ward. On his father's death in 1680 he inherited property in Watling Street, Castle Hedingham in Essex and six other houses. He became a member and treasurer of the New England Company in 1681 and was Auditor of Bridgehouse accounts from 1682 to 1684.