Henry Portal

• he was the first producer of 'watermarked' paper (for the Bank of England Notes)

Henry Portal, Hampshire History tells us, was a French Hugenot refugee, coming to England with his father, Jean Francois de Portal, and brother, Guillaume after having to hide in the oven at their chateau and then being smuggled in wine crates on the sailing to Southampton. They didn't remain long in Southamton, possibly because of the tensions there between French and English. Jean Francoise chose to seek his fortune in London whilst Henri, although not yet twenty years of age settled in South Stoneham where he became a paper maker, also becaming a naturalised British subject. on the 10th July 1711, at the Quarter Sessions at Winchester.

With the help of his great friend Sir William Heathcote, Henri was able to found the Portal papermaking company in 1711. He narried Dorothy Hasker of Overton and by 1718 extended his business acquiring the lease of Laverstock Mill and in 1724 gained the contract from the Bank of England to make paper for Bank Notes leading to a long term relationship with the Bank of England.

Henry died 30 September 1747 and was buried in Whitchurch Parish Church.