Anthony Abdy (1579-1640)

Anthony Abdy (18 October, 1579 (baptised) – 10 September, 1640), was a citizen and East India merchant of London. On the death of his father in 1595 he inherited lands at Colliers Row, Havering atte Bower, Essex and property in Red Lion Gate, London.

He married Abigail (d. after 1640), daughter of Sir Thomas Campbell, knight (who was Lord Mayor of London in 1609-10), on 14 August 1610 at St Mary Aldermary, London, and they had six sons (Sir Thomas Abdy (1612-86); Anthony Abdy (1615-22); Sir Robert Abdy (1616-70); Sir John Abdy (1617-62); Nicholas Abdy (b. 1618); and Roger Abdy (1620-42)) and three daughters (Alice Abdy (1611-69); Abigail Abdy (b. 1622; d. before 1640) and Sarah Abdy (b. 1624)).

Abdy served as an alderman of the City of London and was Sheriff of London, 1630-31. He was appointed as a director of the East India Company in 1617 and as its deputy governor in 1639. He lived in Lime Street, London, in the house where William Dockwra’s Penny Post was established in 1680. He was a member of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and served as its Master in 1632. In 1630 he purchased the Felix Hall estate in Essex, which was bequeathed to his eldest son, Thomas. He was buried in St Mary Abchurch, London.

References

*J.B. Burke, "Peerage and Baronetage", 1924