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: “Mr Ephraim Skiner Marcht. & one of ye Assistants of this Compy: of Barbersurgeons Lond: gave ym 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