Joseph Hardcastle

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Joseph Hardcastle (1752-1818) was one of the founders of the London Missionary Society, to which he devoted a great deal of time and money.

Mr. Hardcastle lived in Old Swan Stairs, in London, before moving to Hatcham House in Deptford (now in the area known as New Cross Gate). He was especially active in arranging missionary expeditions to Africa, and created schemes whereby missionary work could be self-funding by selling artifacts brought back by the missionaries themselves.

The story of Joseph's life was published in "Memoir of Joseph Hardcastle Esq., the first Treasurer of the London Missionary Society: A Record of the Past for his Descendants", which was written by Emma Corsbie Hardcastle (his last surviving daughter).