John Charles (Jack) Fletcher (1798 - 1875)

Born 24 Aug 1798 in Elgin, Elginshire, Scotland

Husband of Elizabeth (Church) Fletcher — married 6 Mar 1838 in Twynholm, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 9 Mar 1875 at age 76 in Madehurst, Sussex, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

He was born John Charles Jack. He was christened on 28/8/1798 in Elgin, Morayshire. Records have his parents as William Jack and Isabel Fledger/Fletcher d 1855. His maternal grandfather was John Fletcher of Forres.

He and his brother James moved to Liverpool and started a trading house.

He went to Peru in 1824 and founded a large mercantile house Wyllie Miller & Company trading between Peru and Liverpool. The Arequipa branch later changed its name to Jack, Brothers & Co. He may started as a commission agent for English manufacturers wanting sell goods in Peru. By Oct 1825 he had rented his first premises were on La Merced Street near the main square of Arequipa. In Jan 1826 he rented a house on San Juan de Dios Street. After some years he became one of the principal foreign merchants in the city in terms of value and volume of imports.

He returned to Liverpool England in 1835 and left the business in Peru under the control of his brother James 1807 - 1885.

In 1836 alpaca wool started to be exported from Peru to England.

Another brother Charles took over from James but he died in Apr 1853 in Peru and the business was then taken over by John Church his wife's brother.

In 6/3/1838 in Scotland he married Elizabeth Church b 1816 d 9/11/1888 daughter of John Church. Marriage records have his name as John Charles Jack. He and his brother John changed their surname to Fletcher in 1856 by Royal Licence. This was as per their mother's wishes.

They had seven children: Isobel, Charles John, Eleanor Christian, William Henry, Louisa Florence, Laura Mary and Beatrice Elizabeth.

In 1841 he was age 35 and living in Liverpool with his wife and two daughters.

He retired in 1848.

In 1851 he was age 46 and living in Leatherhead, Surrey with his wife and five children. His occupation was Fundholder.

In 1852 he purchased Dale Park from the Duke of Abercorn.

In October 1855 by Royal Licence he and his brother James changed their surname to Fletcher as per their mother's wishes.

In 1882 when his daughter Beatrice married her mother wife was living in Madehurst Lodge and presumably his son John Charles Fletcher was living in the main house.

He is buried in Saint Mary Magdalene Churchyard, Madehurst. A memorial in the church has his age as 76 and lists his wife and children.

Sources

• Scotland Births and Baptisms 1564 -1950. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VQ78-LZ9
• England and Wales Census 1841. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ21-Z7R
• England and Wales Census 1851. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGKQ-1L4
• Edinburgh Gazette 19/10/1855. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/6537/page/1288
• History of Dale Park. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Park
• Find a Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227841145/john-charles-fletcher