Samuel Moyer

Samuel Moyer (c. 1609–1683) was an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1653. He was a strong republican and supporter of the Parliamentary cause in the English Civil War.

For the American football coach, see Samuel L. Moyer.

Biography

Moyer was a merchant in the City of London and a member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers.[1] He was a strong supporter of parliament and the Commonwealth. In 1652 he was a member of Hale Commission which made a fundamental examination of the law and introduced many aspects of the criminal justice system.

Moyer was one of a number of radical puritans who had a house in Clapham Surrey, in his case from 1652–1662. A number of his associates such as Richard Salwey and William Kiffin were there at the same time. [2]

In 1653, Moyer became an Alderman of the City of London for Cheap ward[1] and was then nominated as Member of Parliament for City of London in the Barebones Parliament.[3] In the same year he was Master of the Mercer's Company. He was acting president of the Council of State from 4 October 1653 to 3 November 1653. He was by 1659 chairman of the London Committee for Compounding. On 15 February 1659, he presented a petition to the House of Commons on behalf of the Commonwealth.[4]

In 1661 Moyer was arrested and charged with treason alongside James Harrington and Praise-God Barebone. He was then imprisoned in the Tower of London until his brother Laurence secured his release in 1667.

Family

Moyer was the father of Samuel Moyer who was also a merchant and was created a baronet in 1701 (see Moyer Baronets).[5]

References

1. 'Aldermen of the City of London: Cheap ward', The Aldermen of the City of London: Temp. Henry III - 1912 (1908), pp. 99-106. Date accessed: 16 July 2011
2. http://www.claphamhistorian.com
3. Willis, Browne (1750). Notitia Parliamentaria, Part II: A Series or Lists of the Representatives in the several Parliaments held from the Reformation 1541, to the Restoration 1660 ... London. pp. 229–239.
4. 'The Diary of Thomas Burton: 15 February 1658-9', Diary of Thomas Burton esq, volume 3: January - March 1659 (1828), pp. 288-296. Date accessed: 16 July 2011
5. 'Notes on the aldermen, 1502-1700', The Aldermen of the City of London: Temp. Henry III - 1912 (1908), pp. 168-195. Date accessed: 16 July 2011

Parliament of England
Preceded by Isaac Penington	Member of Parliament for City of London 1653 With: Robert Tichborne John Ireton John Langley John Stone Henry Barton Praise-God Barebone	Succeeded by Thomas Adams Thomas Foote William Steele John Langham Samuel Avery Andrew Riccard