Alexander Champion (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Champion (11 Nov 1751- 6 Apr 1809) was a London based merchant and was active as a whaler
in the late 18th century.
Alexander Champion was born on 11 Nov 1751, the son of another Alexander Champion (snr)
who was considered to be the father of British Whaling. His ancestors were from Berkshire
and moved to London in the early 18th century.
and Alexander Champion and others, were examined regarding the southern whale-fishery. They were asked whether they had any reason to believe that great quantities of Spermaceti whales might be found east of the Cape, and they replied: “Yes, we have very good information from captains and mates of East Indiamen." In proof of it they produced ‘quantities of ambergris
which is part of the dung of the whales.’ This is a quaint way of expressing the nature of ambergris which is worth more than its weight in gold. Ambergris
is a waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale used in making perfumes. In his whaling exploits he was often referred to together with his brother Benjamin.
. He was also one of the directors of the Bank of England
, and of the London Dock Company . Alexander died on 6 April 1809 at his house on Battersea-rise, Surrey, after two days illness, having been taken ill at the Bank on the 4th. He was buried in Bromley
, Kent.
, London. Ann outlived Alexander by many years and died on 8 April 1837 in her 85th year.
Alexander and Ann had four daughters
I. Ann born in 1775 in London, baptised at St Peter Le Poer on 29 March 1775 – she died on 9 February 1788
II. Harriet was born on 1 March 1776 and died on 10 Nov 1814. She married Rev Thomas Streatfeild
the antiquarian
III Maria was born on 8 February 1778 and one reference says she died 10 May 1822 though another she was still alive in 1861 census!
IV Elizabeth was born 21 February 1781 and died on 26 June 1870.
Whaler
A whaler is a specialized ship, designed for whaling, the catching and/or processing of whales. The former included the whale catcher, a steam or diesel-driven vessel with a harpoon gun mounted at its bows. The latter included such vessels as the sail or steam-driven whaleship of the 16th to early...
in the late 18th century.
Alexander Champion was born on 11 Nov 1751, the son of another Alexander Champion (snr)
Alexander Champion (snr)
Alexander Champion was a London based merchant who was in business in the eighteenth century, trading to many parts of the world, with a number of partners over the years....
who was considered to be the father of British Whaling. His ancestors were from Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
and moved to London in the early 18th century.
An Active Whaler
By November 1784 Alexander Champion had accepted to deal with US whaler Francis Rotch and Mary Hayley, possibly to accept from Rotch sea otter furs from Nootka Sound . In 1786 Alexander Champion and his brother Benjamin sent the first British whaler, The Triumph, east of the Cape of Good Hope. Later in 1786, in the Council Chamber at Whitehall, Samuel EnderbySamuel Enderby
Samuel Enderby was a successful whale oil merchant. In the 18th century, he founded Samuel Enderby & Sons, a prominent shipping and whaling and sealing company....
and Alexander Champion and others, were examined regarding the southern whale-fishery. They were asked whether they had any reason to believe that great quantities of Spermaceti whales might be found east of the Cape, and they replied: “Yes, we have very good information from captains and mates of East Indiamen." In proof of it they produced ‘quantities of ambergris
Ambergris
Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull gray or blackish color produced in the digestive system of and regurgitated or secreted by sperm whales....
which is part of the dung of the whales.’ This is a quaint way of expressing the nature of ambergris which is worth more than its weight in gold. Ambergris
Ambergris
Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull gray or blackish color produced in the digestive system of and regurgitated or secreted by sperm whales....
is a waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale used in making perfumes. In his whaling exploits he was often referred to together with his brother Benjamin.
A prominent personality in London
In the 1780s he was recorded as living at 3, Great Winchester Street, London. Alexander Champion was a London aldermanAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
. He was also one of the directors of the Bank of England
Bank of England
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world...
, and of the London Dock Company . Alexander died on 6 April 1809 at his house on Battersea-rise, Surrey, after two days illness, having been taken ill at the Bank on the 4th. He was buried in Bromley
Bromley
Bromley is a large suburban town in south east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Bromley. It was historically a market town, and prior to 1963 was in the county of Kent and formed the administrative centre of the Municipal Borough of Bromley...
, Kent.
Family
He married Ann Platt on 8 February 1774 also at St Martin OutwichSt Martin Outwich
St Martin Outwich was a medieval parish church in the City of London, on the corner of Threadneedle Street and Bishopsgate.-History:A church of St Martin was built in the fourteenth century at the expense of members of the Oteswich family, from whom the church derives its name...
, London. Ann outlived Alexander by many years and died on 8 April 1837 in her 85th year.
Alexander and Ann had four daughters
I. Ann born in 1775 in London, baptised at St Peter Le Poer on 29 March 1775 – she died on 9 February 1788
II. Harriet was born on 1 March 1776 and died on 10 Nov 1814. She married Rev Thomas Streatfeild
Thomas Streatfeild
Rev Thomas Streatfeild MA, FSA was a renowned antiquarian and churchman in the early 19th century. He lived on both sides of the Surrey Kent border, but is best known for his extensive research on the history of Kent....
the antiquarian
III Maria was born on 8 February 1778 and one reference says she died 10 May 1822 though another she was still alive in 1861 census!
IV Elizabeth was born 21 February 1781 and died on 26 June 1870.