William Pulsford the elder

London wine merchant and West India merchant, partner and son of Robert Pulsford the elder (q.v.) and father of Robert Pulsford the younger and William Pulsford the younger (each of whom q.v). Left £250,00 in 1833. His daughter Ann married in 1832 Sir William Goodenough Hayter (1793-1878), in the ODNB as 'politician and barrister', and died in 1889 leaving £233,000. His wife Martha (nee Hobson) died in 1835.

1. Will of William Pulsford merchant of Great St Helens proved 01/02/1834. In the will he left his entire estate to his wife Martha in trust for the maintenance of his five children, providing £10,000 (or such amount as would generate an income of at least £400 p.a.) to each of his three daughters Ann, Frances and Elizabeth for their sole use. When his son William reached 23, he was to have estates at Linslade and Haversham in Buckinghamshire, an estate in Northants, land at Chingford and Walthamstow and the freehold house at Great St Helens. At 23, his son Robert was to receive estates at Little Plumstead and one other also in Norfolk, estates at Whitton and Twickenham and some land at Hounslow Heath. The will makes no reference to the mercantile business or to property in the Caribbean.

2. In 1817, 40 enslaved people were registered in Demerara & Essequibo for 'Pulsford, Rob. & Will.' by W. Mudie in behalf of P. Grant (atty).

Rubinstein, Who were the rich? Vol. I (2009) 1834/17; will of Martha Pulsford widow of Wimpole Street proved 11/03/1835 PROB 11/1844/317.

1. PROB 11/1828/74.

2. T71/397 P2 1552.