John Becher

John Becher was born on 1 September 1677 at County Cork, Ireland, the son of Colonel Thomas Becher and Elizabeth Turner. John came to Bristol with his family in 1689 to escape a civil war. He was apprentice to Sir John Duddlestone and remained in Bristol when his family returned to Ireland. He married, firstly, Hester Duddlestone, daughter of Sir John Duddlestone, 1st Bt. and Susanna Lewes, on 16 October 1695. He married, secondly, Mary Cranfield, daughter of Edward Cranfield and Elizabeth Parker 26 Oct 1710.

• Burke's states he was also known as St. John Becher but there is no record of him being called this. There is also no record of him being knighted.
• Became a Bristol Burgess 15th October 1697 by completing his apprenticeship to John Duddlestone, Merchant
• He held the office of Sheriff of Bristol in 1713.
• He held the office of Alderman of Bristol.1723-1743
• He held the office of Mayor of Bristol in 1721-1722.
• Was Master of the League of Merchant Venturers in 1722-23
• He lived at St. Michael's, & St Augustine The Less Bristol, Gloucestershire, England.

Children of Sir John Becher and Hester Duddlestone

• Thomas Becher b. 6 Feb 1696, d. c Feb 1697
• Elizabeth Becher b. 10 Mar 1697
• Thomas Becher b. 12 Mar 1698, d. 15 Apr 1699
• John Becher b. 1700, d. 1738
• Susanna Becher b. 13 Mar 1700/1, d. Jul 1701
• Reverend Henry Becher b. 26 Apr 1702
• William Becher b. 26 Aug 1703, d. 18 Sep 1703
• Michael Becher b. 9 Jan 1704, d. c Dec 1758

Children of Sir John Becher and Mary Cranfield

• Edward Becher b. 18 Sep 1711, d. 1746
• Cranfield Becher b. 13 Jun 1713, d. 1799
• George Becher b. 26 Jun 1715, d. Apr 1754
• Mary Cranfield Becher b. 6 Dec 1716, d. c 1750
• William Becher b. 21 Feb 1717
• Ann Becher b. 14 May 1721
• William Becher b. 3 Feb 1722

Links:

• The Peerage