William Withers

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For the singer, see Bill Withers

Sir William Withers was Lord Mayor of London from 1707 to 1708.

1 Family background
2 Political background
3 Relationship between the families of Withers and Ravenshaw
4 References

[edit] Family background

Sir William was born in 1657. He was 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. Sir William Withers married Lady Margaret Hayes, daughter of Thomas Hayes of Chertsey Abbey in the English county of Surrey, and they had two children, William and Sarah.

[edit] Political background

Sir William 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. He died on 31 January 1720 and was buried at Fulham.

[edit] Relationship between the families of Withers and Ravenshaw

Sir William Withers and Lady Margaret Hayes produced a son, William Withers. William married Rebecca Cauche. They had 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.