William Devaynes
William Devaynes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Westminster, London, England |
| Died | November 29, 1809 (aged 79) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, politician, government contractor |
| Years active | 18th century – early 19th century |
| Known for | Chairmanship of the East India Company; Member of Parliament for Barnstaple and Winchelsea; African trade and banking |
William Devaynes (12 October 1730 – 29 November 1809) was engaged in African trade, banking in London, government contracting, and held directorships at the East India Company, the Africa Company, the Globe Insurance Company, and the French Hospital. He chaired the East India Company on five occasions and represented the constituencies of Barnstaple and Winchelsea as a Member of Parliament for over twenty-six years.
Huguenot origins
Devaynes was baptized on 25 October 1730 at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Westminster. He was the fifth child among six siblings born to John Devaynes, a Huguenot wig maker, and Mary Barker, whose father William Barker served as London's City Remembrancer.
His older brother, John Devaynes (1726–1801), acted as apothecary to King George III and Queen Charlotte from 1761 until 1795. John is mentioned in Boswell's Life of Johnson as "that ever-cheerful companion Mr Devaynes" and was part of the firm Messrs Devaynes & Hingeston, serving as royal apothecaries.
On 15 January 1782, William Devaynes married Jane Wintle. They had two children: a daughter, Harriott Augusta (born 1773), who wed Thomas Monsell, and a son, William (born September 1783), who passed away at age 27 in December 1810. His second marriage was to Mary Wileman on 3 February 1806; she was reportedly six decades younger than him. A financial arrangement encouraged her to promote his longevity; he died aged 79 in 1809. Mary subsequently married Serjeant Thomas Wilde, who became Lord Chancellor and the 1st Lord Truro.
Devaynes also left behind an illegitimate daughter and a grandson named William Devaynes of Liverpool.
Africa
As a director of The African Company of Merchants, Devaynes contributed significant commentary on West Africa during Parliamentary debates concerning the slave trade. He asserted that sugar grew with little effort, had recently traveled to the Gold Coast, and possessed considerable experience as an agent in Dahomey, which he characterized as a despotic regime.
It is probable that he spent his formative years in Sierra Leone and made provisions in his will for a mixed-race daughter.
Banker
Devaynes primarily pursued a career in banking. He served as senior partner at his firm located at 39 Pall Mall, London, operating under the name Devaynes, Dawes and Noble. Although he amassed considerable wealth by his death, his estate retained partnership interests in the bank, which declared insolvency one year after he passed away. Legal disputes involving his heirs extended over thirty years.
Clayton's case
The bank's collapse gave rise to the rule in Clayton's case, a legal doctrine still recognized today. The case, known as Devaynes v Noble, concerned Devaynes' son and former partner Noble, with Clayton acting as a depositor seeking repayment from the deceased partner’s estate.
India
Devaynes played an active role within the East India Company and was elected chairman of its court of directors on five separate occasions. He maintained close ties with Warren Hastings.
American wars
From 1776 to 1782, Devaynes collaborated with Members of Parliament John Henniker, George Wombwell, and Edward Wheler to obtain contracts for provisioning the army, supplying between 12,000 and 14,000 soldiers. Both Wombwell and Wheler, like Devaynes, held positions as directors within the East India Company.
Parliament
Throughout his tenure in Parliament, Devaynes was a steadfast supporter of the Government, though he rarely participated in debates.