Charles Polhill

Charles, the youngest son, a citizen of London and a Merchant Taylor, spent the early part of his life in Smyrna. On his return to England, the influence of his brother David IV with Lord Townsend (Secretary of State) secured for him an appointment as Commissioner of Excise with offices in Bedford Row, St. Andrew Holborn. He fulfilled this office with much diligence and amassed a fortune of L24.000. (52). His marriage with Martha, daughter to Thomas Streatfeild of Sevenoaks was a happy one but childless. She died in May 1741/2 and was buried in velvet at Otford. He died at Bath on September 30th 1755. In his will he gave instructions for his body to be buried "in or near unto the body of my late wife in the parish church of Otford". There is however no record of his burial at Otford nor at St. Andrew's Holborn, but the monument which he ordered in his will was sculpted by Sir Henry Choere and erected in front of one of the windows of the chancel of Otford Church.

His will (Appendix B10) betrays some apprehension on Charles' part as to the attitude of the Otford authorities. He stipulates that L1000 is to be laid out in building a monument for my dear wife and me in Otford Church. If not done by his executors within two years of his death then L1000 to the Dean and chapter of Rochester, L600 for the monument and L400 for themselves). Failing then L1000 to the Bishop of Rochester for similar division and failing his L1000 to the Bishop of London".

His brother David IV had predeceased him in 1754, and so his nephew Charles administered the will in the manner plain to all visitors to Otford Church since that date. The monument is of brown and white marble. Standing on a large white marble sarcophagus is a full-sized figure dressed in a Roman toga, and leaning on a marble urn. Figures depicting Faith (reading from the Holy Bible), and Hope (with an anchor), are seated on either side of the sarcophagus. A medallion with a female face in profile is above. On a black marble slab below is inscribed:-

" To the memory of CHARLES POLHILL, Esq.

Youngest son of Thomas Polhill of this county, Esq, by

Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Ireton.

The early part of his life was spent in Smyrna in a steady application to business as a merchant. On his return to England he was appointed one of the Commissioners of Excise, which office he executed many years with diligence and integrity.

He was born October 3rd. 1679 and died September 30th 1755. He married Martha, daughter of Thomas Streatfeild of Sevenoaks in this county by whom he left no issue. Their life was a state of friendship and mutual affection. She died in May 1742 aged 55. To her memory and his own by his last will he ordered this monument to be erected."

source http://polhill.info/book.php?p=2

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image detail
Memorial to his brother Charles Polhill (died 1755) a merchant tailor in Smyrna (modern day Izmir, Turkey) who later became a Commissioner of Excise in London. Both memorials were the work of the eminent sculptor Sir Henry Cheere.

image 2 detail Even more extravagant is the memorial in the chancel to Charles Polhill, great grandson of Oliver Crowmwell, a merchant tailor in Smyrna, and latterly a Commissioner of Excise in London. Following his death in 1755, Sir Henry Cheere, sculptor, ornamental mason and official ‘carver’ at Westminster Abbey, was commissioned to produce the grandiose marble memorial in which a lifesize Polhill stands in a relaxed pose, head resting on hand, elbow resting on an urn at his side. Two muses – Faith, reading a bible, and Hope, clutching an anchor – sit at his feet, while above his head a cameo commemorates his wife, Martha

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Reference:

PROB 11/818/227

Description:

Will of Charles Polhill, Merchant Taylor, Widower of Bath , Somerset

Date:

13 October 1755

Held by:

The National Archives, Kew

Legal status:

Public Record

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Sir Edwd. Bettenson, Bart., Daniel Dodson, Esq., David Polhill, Esq., Charles Polhill, merchant, William Bristow, ...

...Charles Polhill, merchant, William Bristow, Esq., Jas. Mendes, merchant, Thomas Corsar, Esq., Robt. Soul, Esq., Richd. Lawrence, merchant, Robt. Samber, gent., Charles Whinyates, Esq.,Jas. Alexander, mercer, Saml. Forth, Joseph Henriques, Joseph Fowler, Joseph de Paiba, Benjn. Mendes, Wm. Swan, ... Collection: Records of the Exchequer, and its related bodies, with those of the Office of First Fruits and Tenths, and the Court of Augmentations Date range:11 June 1737 - 10 June 1738 Reference:E 134/11Geo2/Hil10 Subjects:Trade and commerce, Middle East, Litigation, Europe and Russia, Caribbean, Mining and quarrying

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Short title: Bull v Polhill. Document type: Two answers. Plaintiffs: Richard Bull, esq, an infant ...

...Charles Polhill esq, John Green esq and others. Another case dated 1742. Plaintiffs: Dorothy Bull and Kitty Bull, infants (by Henry Collier, esq). Defendants: Charles Polhill, esq, John Green, esq and others. Date of bill (or first document): ...
Collection: Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions Date range:01 January 1742 - 31 December 1742 Reference:C 11/815/18 Subjects:Litigation, Children

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Short title: Polhill v Rider. Document type: Bill and answer. Plaintiffs: Charles Polhill, esq of ...

...Charles Polhill, esq of London. Defendants: Sir Barnham Rider kt. Date of bill (or first document): 1726. The naming of a party does not imply that he or she will appear in all the documents in this cause (after the bill). ...
Collection: Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions Date range:01 January 1726 - 31 December 1726 Reference:C 11/671/30 Subjects:Litigation Browse by hierarchy | Browse by reference

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Letter from Charles Polhill and other Officers of the Excise with an account of money ...

Treasury: Treasury Board Papers and In-Letters. Records within the reference range T 1/319-388 and 429-436. Letter from Charles Polhill and other Officers of the Excise with an account of money expended.
Collection: Records created or inherited by HM Treasury
Date range:21 November 1746 - 21 November 1746 Reference:T 1/323/41 Subjects:Taxation, Government finances

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Short title: Uvedall v Polhill. Document type: Bill and two answers. Plaintiffs: James Uvedale, merchant ...

...Charles Polhill, esq and John Chadwick. Date of bill (or first document): 1729. The naming of a party does not imply that he or she will appear in all the documents in this cause (after the bill). ... Collection: Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions Date range:01 January 1729 - 31 December 1729 Reference:C 11/1480/29 Subjects:Litigation, Trade and commerce

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Charles Polhill from London to (Newcastle). the vacancy caused by the death of William Chapman ...

Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, George II. LETTERS AND PAPERS. Charles Polhill from London to (Newcastle). the vacancy caused by the death of William Chapman has been filled. Folios 1-2.
Collection: Records assembled by the State Paper Office, including papers of the Secretaries of State up to 1782 Date range:02 June 1728 - 02 June 1728 Reference:SP 36/7 Browse by hierarchy | Browse by reference

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Short title: Bosanquett v Polhill. Document type: Bill and answer. Plaintiffs: David Bosanquet, merchant of ...

...Charles Polhill, merchant of London, Edward Barker and Henry Morse. Date of bill (or first document): 1721. The naming of a party does not imply that he or she will appear in all the documents in this cause (after the bill). ...
Collection: Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions
Date range:01 January 1721 - 31 December 1721 Reference:C 11/1996/4 Subjects:Litigation, Trade and commerce

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Short title: Bull v Bull. Document type: Bill and answer. Plaintiffs: Richard Bull, esq (only ...

...type: Bill and answer. Plaintiffs: Richard Bull, esq (only son and heir of Sir John Bull kt, deceased, late of Chipping Onger, Essex) an infant (by Richard Luther, esq). Defendants: Dorothy Bull and Kitty Bull, infants (by Thomas Velley, clerk) Charles Polhill ...
Collection: Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions Date range:01 January 1748 - 31 December 1748 Reference:C 11/815/16 Subjects:Litigation, Children Browse by hierarchy | Browse by reference

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Short title: Radcliffe v Radcliffe. Document type: Bill and two answers. Plaintiffs: Ralph Radcliffe, esq ...

...Sarah Radcliffe, Penelope Radcliffe and Mary Radcliffe are daughters and granddaughters of said Edward Radcliffe and Sir Ralph Radcliffe). Defendants: Edward Radcliffe senior, esq and Penelope Radcliffe his wife, Edward Radcliffe junior, George Radcliffe, John Radcliffe, Arthur Radcliff, Benjamin Moyer, Charles Polhill ...
Collection: Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions Date range:01 January 1722 - 31 December 1722 Reference:C 11/1428/15 Subjects:Litigation

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