Richard oswald treaty of paris
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Richard Oswald
Profile & Legacies Summary
1705 - 1784
Biography
One of the 'Citizens of the World', and co-owner of the Bance Island slave-trading factory in West Africa. Richard Oswald (1705-1784) was advisor to the British government on trade regulations and the conduct of the American War of Independence and was a British peace commissioner who negotiated the Peace of Paris in 1782. His wife, Mary Oswald was the daughter of Alexander Ramsay, and grew up in Jamaica. On her father's death she inherited his substantial estate and business. She returned to Britain with her mother, leaving the business in the hands of trustees. She died in 1788. She is the subject of a portrait by Johann Zoffany, 'Mrs Oswald' (1763-64) which is in the National Gallery. Her will, as Mary Oswald or Ramsay of Auchencruvie proved 19/12/1788, deals in detail with the settlement by her husband and her property but is silent on slave-property in Jamaica.
Sources
David Hancock, Citizens of the World (1995); PROB 11/1173/185.
Further Information
Absentee? British/Irish
Richard Oswald, Slave Merchant born*Richard Oswald's birth on this date in 1705 is affirmed. He was a white Scottish merchant and slave trader. Richard Oswald was born to the Reverend George Oswald of Dunnet and his wife, Margaret Murray. At age 20, he was apprenticed to cousins who were merchants in Glasgow, the brothers Richard Oswald of Scotstoun and Alexander Oswald, sons of the Rev. James Oswald. As a young man, he worked for them as a factor, traveling in America and the Caribbean. In 1741, he became a partner at the Glasgow firm. Merchant In 1746, by doing business during the War of the Austrian Succession, Oswald established himself in commercial business in London. He leased a counting house where he initially devoted most of his time to shipping and trading tobacco. He took on a forage contract for the British Army, having in 1756 the merchant James Buchanan as guarantor. He also prospered as a contractor during the Seven Years' War, particularly in the supply of bread in the German theatre, and was praised by Ferdinand of Brunswick. In 1759, Oswald bought the Ca
Richard Oswald (merchant)Scottish merchant, slave trader and diplomat
Richard Oswald (c. 1705 – 6 November 1784) was a Scottish merchant, slave trader and diplomat. During the American Revolution, he served as an advisor to the North ministry on trade regulations and the best way to respond to the American War of Independence. Oswald is best known for being one of the British peace commissioners who negotiated the Peace of Paris in 1782. Early lifeOswald was born to the Reverend George Oswald of Dunnet, and his wife Margaret Murray. At age 20 he was apprenticed to cousins who were merchants in Glasgow, the brothers Richard Oswald (1687–1763) of Scotstoun and Alexander Oswald (1694–1766), sons of the Rev. James Oswald (1654–1698). As a young man he worked for them as a factor, travelling in America and the Caribbean. In 1741 he became a partner in the Glasgow firm.[1][2] MerchantDoing good business duri Copyright ©cafebee.pages.dev 2025 | ||||||||||