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John Wedgwood made a considerable fortune as a merchant in London. Later in his life he became a London agent for his brother Josiah. He died very soon after making his will (quoted in abstract below), and it is interesting to note that he describes himself as of Newcastle-under- Lyme, when he had not at that time, left London, though it would seem that that had been his intention.
,br> He suffered from periods of deep depression, as can be seen by his letters to his brother. He died in 1767, he was evidently robbed and murdered one night in London, and his body dumped in the Thames.
His will (in abstract), as quoted in A History of the Wedgwood Family,is quoted below.
The will of John Wedgwood, late of Cateaton St. Merchant, but now of
Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Dated 17th March 1767.
To my brother Thomas Wedgwood, 160l.
To my nephew John, son of my brother Thomas 20l. and to each of his
other children, 10l.
To my sister Margaret Byerley, 100l.
To my sister Cath. Willet, 100l.
To my sister Ann Clarke, 100l., and an annuity of 10l. for life.
To Mary Clarke, daughter of Ann Clarke 100l.
To my cousin Ann, now wife of Mr. Thomas Corbett, 10l.
To my brother brother Richard Wedgwood, 10l.
To Miss Mary Bliss of London, 10 guas.
To my nephew Thomas Byerley, 10 guas. and my watch.
To Mrs Blake of Bartholemew Close, in London, 10 guas.
To Miss Anne Harvey of Birmingham 10 guas. to buy a ring.
To Mr Thomas Bently of Liverpool, 5 guas.
To Mr Wm. Potter, son of Mr Bignal Potter of London, 10 guas.
To Mr Titus Mitchell and Mr Thomas Birch of London 3 guas. each.
To Mr Simon Cartridge and Mr William Cleaver of London, 3 guas. each.
To Mr John Sparrow of Newcastle-under-Lyme 2 guas.
To Mrs Wheelwright of Hamstead, 10l.
To John and Michael Daintry, sons of Michael Daintry of Leek, to each
of them a ring.
To Mr Ralph Griffiths, my gold handled cane, and 5 guas.
To Mr and Mrs Rhodes of Newcastle-under-Lyme, to Mr Ashton, William
Hodgson of London and to Mr Michael Daintry of Leek, to each of them a
ring.
I remit to my brother Josiah Wedgwood all balance of account between
us.
Residue; as to one half to my brother Josiah Wedgwood, as to the
other equally between my sisters Margaret Byerley and Catherine
Willets.
Nominates Josiah Wedgwood and Mr William Hogson (to whom I give 10
guas) Executors.1
signed John Wedgwood
Witness, Joseph Unwin, Daniel Johnson.
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