February 26th Sir Robert Geffery (Death)
Landrake – born Sir Robert Geffery,  who died on this day in 1703, was a famous businessman who made his fortune by investing in the East India Company.  In 1646, he was admitted into the Livery of the Ironmongers’ Company, becoming Master of the Company in 1667.


In 1673, he became Sheriff of London and was also knighted. Serving a second term as Master of the Ironmonger’s Company and, nominated as Master for a second term in 1685, he then became Lord Mayor of London in 1686, making him one of the most influential men in the country.

In his will, Geffery left vast sums to charities including funding a school in Landrake as well as £400 to the Ironmongers’ Company ‘to invest the same and pay the income to the Rector of  St. Dionis [London] to read prayers twice every day of the week’.   

In 1876, the Church of St. Dionis was demolished and the remainder of the legacy was paid to the Royal Hospitals.  He also endowed his home village and other villages to support the parish poor, which continued until 1964 when nobody came forward to request alms.  Today, the Sir Robert Geffery Trust owns two sets of almshouses in Hampshire accommodating 125 people of limited means.

 


Previous                   Next