EPHRAIM SKINNER.

Ephraim Skinner was born at Barnstaple 30th November, 1637. In 1652 he was apprenticed to Sir John Frederick, and afterwards became a wealthy Merchant trading with Spain. He was sometime the British Consul at Livorne. On 25th April, 1665, he was admitted to the freedom of the Barber-Surgeons, and in 1673 gave us the chimney piece in the Court Room, where there is a three-quarter portrait of him in his livery gown, with full wig and rich lace bands; on the portrait is this inscription: “M^r Ephraim Skiner Marcht. & one of y^e Assistants of this Compy: of Barbersurgeons Lond: gave y^m besides other gifts 300£ for 20 years.”

By his Will, dated 27th December, 1677, he gave to the Governors of Christ’s Hospital (of which he was a member) five acres of pasture in Islington, also £700 in trust for them to lend the Barber-Surgeons £300 for 20 years without interest to help them to pay their debts, and also for a payment of 5s. a week to the Minister of Islington for him to expound and “chatecize” every Sunday afternoon and to pay £5 a year to the poor of Islington, to whom he also bequeathed a sum of £50. To the poor of the Old Jewry £50. To the poor of Barnstaple £200. To the rebuilding of St. Paul’s £50. To his father-in-law Peter Rowe £25 per annum for life. To several members of the Barber-Surgeons, including Sir J. Frederick, Sir N. Herne, Sir J. Lethieullier and their children £10 each, and numerous legacies of money to friends and relations. The residue of his Estate to his wife.

On the south wall of St. Olave Jewry is a tablet to his memory;

Neer this Place

Lyeth the body of Ephraim Skinner Merchant

Sometimes his Majesties Consul at Livorne

Whose

Exemplary	Piety Towards God
	Integrity towards Man
	Charity to the Poore
	Humility towards all
Made him	Live desired	by all that knew him
	Die Lamented

He was born in the Town of Barnstable

In Devon on S^t Andrews Day. Ann.

MDCXXXVII Died at Islington May VI^t

MDCLXXVIII in the XLI yeare of his

Age

A kind Husband to Ann: his

Consort who in memory of him

erected this Monument but now

caused his Body to be removed

hence to the Parish Church of Great

S^t Hellen’s and layd in the Vault of

Robart Foot Esq^r her present Husband

January 1712.

Arms. Sa. a chev. or. betw. three gryffins’ heads era. ar. a crescent for difference.