Sir William Roberts, 1st Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir William Roberts, 1st Baronet (21 June 1638 – 14 March 1688), of Willesden
in Middlesex
, was an English landowner and politician.
The son of Sir William Roberts, a Member of Parliament and of Cromwell's House of Peers during the English Commonwealth, Roberts was created a baronet on 4 October 1661. The following year, on his father's death, he inherited considerable property in what is now North London
which was, however, much encumbered with mortgages and legacies. Described as a "very careless man", he dissipated his fortune, engaging in litigation against his mother over the disposal of his father's bequests, and falling deeper and deeper into debt. He sold an estate at Kilburn in 1664, two estates in Harlesden
in 1665-1666 and 1671, and he was preparing to pay his debts by selling Oxgate when he died in 1688. The family seat of Neasden
House he never sold, but mortgaged it so recklessly that it passed into the temporary possession of the mortgagee.
He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son, also called William.
Willesden
Willesden is an area in North West London which forms part of the London Borough of Brent. It is situated 5 miles north west of Charing Cross...
in Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
, was an English landowner and politician.
The son of Sir William Roberts, a Member of Parliament and of Cromwell's House of Peers during the English Commonwealth, Roberts was created a baronet on 4 October 1661. The following year, on his father's death, he inherited considerable property in what is now North London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
which was, however, much encumbered with mortgages and legacies. Described as a "very careless man", he dissipated his fortune, engaging in litigation against his mother over the disposal of his father's bequests, and falling deeper and deeper into debt. He sold an estate at Kilburn in 1664, two estates in Harlesden
Harlesden
Harlesden is an area in the London Borough of Brent, northwest London, UK. Its main focal point is the Jubilee Clock which commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee....
in 1665-1666 and 1671, and he was preparing to pay his debts by selling Oxgate when he died in 1688. The family seat of Neasden
Neasden
Neasden is an area in northwest London, UK. It forms part of the London Borough of Brent.-History:The area was recorded as Neasdun in 939 AD and the name is derived from the Old English nēos = 'nose' and dūn = 'hill'. It means 'the nose-shaped hill' referring to a well-defined landmark of this area...
House he never sold, but mortgaged it so recklessly that it passed into the temporary possession of the mortgagee.
He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son, also called William.