David Barclay of Youngsbury
David Barclay of Youngsbury | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1729 England |
| Died | 1809 |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, banker, philanthropist |
| Years active | 18th century |
| Known for | Early emancipation of slaves in Jamaica; precursor to Barclays Bank; involvement in brewing industry |
David Barclay of Youngsbury (1729–1809), also referred to as David Barclay of Walthamstow or David Barclay of Walthamstow and Youngsbury, was an English Quaker merchant, banker, and philanthropist. He is recognized for pioneering a form of "gratuitous manumission" by emancipating slaves on his Jamaican estate and facilitating improved opportunities for them in Pennsylvania. Barclay’s enduring influence includes his role as a precursor to the modern Barclays Bank, established a century later, as well as his participation in the brewing sector.
Family background
He was the offspring of Scottish merchant and banker David Barclay of Cheapside (1682–1769), who was the second son of Robert Barclay, a distinguished Quaker author, and Priscilla Freame, daughter of the banker John Freame.
The Barclay family bank
The Freame Bank, whose origins trace back to the early 1700s, was partially inherited by David Barclay and his brother John through their maternal lineage. Although the institution underwent multiple name changes, it was commonly identified as Barclay, Bevan & Co. from the mid-1770s onward. The “Bevan” in the name referred to Silvanus Bevan III, son of Timothy Bevan and nephew of apothecary Silvanus Bevan II; Silvanus’s mother Elizabeth was Barclay’s half-sister.
American matters
Barclay maintained extensive commercial ties with the American colonies, particularly Pennsylvania; around 1760, David Barclay & Sons engaged with merchants in New York and Philadelphia and provided supplies to British forces in North America. Prior to the American Revolutionary War, Barclay utilized his connection with Benjamin Franklin to adjust business strategies by withdrawing from commission sales and lessening reliance on exports across the Atlantic. By the conclusion of the conflict, their involvement in linen trade had ceased entirely.
Benjamin Franklin’s association with Quaker bankers extended back two decades to his initial visit to England as Pennsylvania’s representative, during which he banked with Henton Brown’s firm. Brown, alongside Barclay and others, participated on a committee safeguarding the interests of the Society of Friends in Pennsylvania. In 1756, Barclay procured muskets for Thomas Penn and served as London agent for William Allen.
Throughout the political unrest of the 1770s, Barclay led the Committee of North American Merchants advocating for repeal of the Stamp Act 1765 but refrained from endorsing radical colonial resistance. In November 1774, he met with Franklin in London to address rising tensions; together with John Fothergill, they formulated proposals aimed at resolving conflicts following the Boston Tea Party. In 1775, Barclay opposed limitations on American fishing rights during discussions with Lord North but did not succeed.
Following the war, delegations of American Quaker abolitionists visited London. Finding their approach impatient and lacking political savvy regarding Parliamentary influence through royal channels, Barclay redirected abolitionist efforts toward securing Parliamentary backing, thereby advancing the cause significantly.
Barclay, Perkins, & Co.
In 1781, a group including David Barclay purchased the Anchor Brewery, Southwark, part of Henry Thrale’s estate. Barclay negotiated directly with Hester Thrale, Henry’s widow, successfully outbidding John Perkins for a stake. The acquisition involved family members such as Robert Barclay (1750–1830), son of Barclay’s half-brother Alexander, and Silvanus Bevan, who was related to Perkins by marriage. David Barclay invested £135,000 into this enterprise. Henry Perkins, John’s son who was more academically inclined, retained an interest in the company. The firm adopted the name "Barclay Perkins and Company" in 1798 and eventually merged with Courage Brewery in 1955.
Youngsbury
In 1769, Barclay acquired the manor of Youngsbury in Hertfordshire and undertook significant expansions to the residence. The landscape was redesigned in 1770 by Capability Brown, who introduced a winding lake feature. Following the passing of his second wife, Barclay sold Youngsbury in 1793 to William Cunliffe Shawe; ownership subsequently transferred to Daniel Giles, then serving as Governor of the Bank of England, in 1796.
Barclay established connections with fellow Quaker John Scott of Amwell through involvement in turnpike trusts and participation in Friends' meetings. After meeting Samuel Johnson during the 1781 Thrale brewery transaction—where Johnson acted as an executor—Barclay invited him in 1784 to compose Scott’s biography. Although Johnson and Scott had differing political views, they met before Johnson’s death later that year; Johnson bequeathed funds to Barclay in his will. Following this, Barclay commissioned John Hoole to author Scott’s biography.
Philanthropy
Jamaican historian Verene Shepherd emphasizes Barclay’s 1794 choice to manumit his slaves in English Jamaica. Together with his brother, he had acquired Unity Valley Pen, a grazing estate located in Saint Ann Parish, along with approximately 30 enslaved individuals. After his brother passed away, Barclay decided to free these individuals, viewing slavery as incompatible with Christian ethics and fundamental human rights. He facilitated their relocation to Philadelphia as emancipated persons, where the Pennsylvania Abolition Society provided vocational training in various trades and domestic work.
Although Barclay personally opposed the Atlantic Slave Trade, his banking institutions maintained financial ties to it through mortgages on plantations and related ventures.
In addition to abolitionist efforts, Barclay contributed to other significant causes, including funding an annuity for physician John Whitehead and aiding the foundation of Ackworth School, a Quaker educational establishment in Yorkshire.
Family
Barclay was married twice and fathered one surviving child:
- With Martha Hudson, he had a daughter named Agatha who married Richard Gurney; she was mother to Hudson Gurney and another daughter named Agatha who wed Sampson Hanbury.
- His second marriage was to Rachel Lloyd, daughter of Sampson Lloyd II and sister to Charles Lloyd; Rachel passed away at Youngsbury in 1792.
Barclay supported the education of his grandson Hudson Gurney, who studied alongside polymath Thomas Young at Youngsbury between 1787 and 1792. Young also resided at Barclay's London home, where he attended lectures by Bryan Higgins.
The Barclay family network was extensive; David Barclay estimated that roughly 300 relatives addressed him as uncle or cousin.
In his later years, Barclay lived in Walthamstow.