Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bond, Martin

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1313177Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 05 — Bond, Martin1886Norman Moore

BOND, MARTIN (1558–1643), merchant of London, was son of William Bond, an alderman of London and merchant adventurer, who was sheriff in 1567; owned Crosby Place, Bishopsgate, to which he added a turret; died 30 May 1576, and was buried 14 June in St. Helen's Church, Bishopsgate. The epitaph on the monument erected to his memory describes him as 'most famous in his age for his great adventures both by sea and land.' Martin Bond was born in 1858. He was, like his father a merchant adventurer, and belonged to the Haberdashers' Company. As a captain of the train-bands of the city he marched at their head to Tilbury in 1588, and remained chief captain till his death. He laid the foundation-stone of the new Aldgate in 1607. Some Roman coins were found, and Bond caused two to be copied as medallions in stone, and placed them as decorations on the outer side of the gate. From 1619 to 1636 he was treasurer of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and became one of the benefactors of the foundation. His portrait in oils is preserved in the hospital, and also a pewter inkstand bearing his arms and the inscription 'the gift of Mr. Martin Bond, 1619.' He died in May 1643, and has an elaborate monument (erected by William Bond, a nephew, and renovated by the Haberdashers' Company in 1868) in the north aisle of St. Helen's Church, Bishopsgate. On it he is represented sitting in armour in a tent, outside which a servant holds his horse, and two sentries are on guard with matchlocks in their hands.

[J. E. Cox's Annals of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate, 63, 64, 84, 96, 97, 333, 423; Stow's Survey, ed. 1633.]

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