William Withers

Sir William Withers (1657 – 31 January 1720), was Lord Mayor of London from 1707 to 1708.

Family background

He was born in 1657, a descendant of Sir Thomas Wyther. Sir William Withers' father was believed to be the first family member to spell the name Wyther as Withers.

Withers married Margaret Hayes, daughter of Thomas Hayes of Chertsey Abbey, Surrey. They had two children, William and Sarah.

Political background

Withers was knighted by William III on 20 October 1699. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and became High Sheriff of London (1701-1702) and Lord Mayor of London (1707 to 1708). He also represented London in the Parliament of England (1700-1701), where he was challenged by his Whig opponent, Sir John Bukworth, for Lord Mayor. Sir William won by a majority of 253 and filled the vacancy in the aftermath of the death of Sir Robert Clayton. He was continually successful in the next elections (1708-1710, 1713) but was thrown out due to the return to power by the Whigs in 1715.

Later life

He died on 31 January, 1720 and is buried at All Saints Church, Fulham, London.

Relationship between the families of Withers and Ravenshaw

Withers and Margaret produced a son, William Withers, who married Rebecca Cauche. They had a daughter, Elizabeth Withers, who married John Goldsborough Ravenshaw in 1772.

John Goldsborough and Elizabeth Withers Ravenshaw had five sons: John Goldsborough Ravenshaw II, Reverend Edward Ravenshaw, Captain Thomas William Ravenshaw, Captain George Ravenshaw, and Captain William Ravenshaw. The Ravenshaw family were successful in the Indian Political Service. Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, India, was named for Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, great-great-great grandson of Sir William Withers.

References

*"Information extracted from the Ravenshaw family records, showing the connection between the families of Withers and Ravenshaw".