Robert Child , of Osterley Park. MP. and banker. A short history of Child & Co Francis Child's grandson Robert became senior partner in the business in 1763. When he died in 1782 he left no sons to inherit the business, and so the family fortune was settled upon his granddaughter, Sarah Sophia Fane. Sarah, an infant at the time of her inheritance, went on to marry the 5th Earl of Jersey and, upon coming of age in 1806, became senior partner of the bank; a role she was to fulfil for the next 61 years. Throughout that period, Child & Co remained extremely conservative in its outlook and activities, and is believed to have provided a model for the quaint Tellson's Bank in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. ------------ The following Notice appeared in Jackson's Oxford Journal in 1770: OXFORD June 2 RADCLIFFE INFIRMARY Whereas the Trustees of the Will of Dr. Radcliffe, have, in Pursuance of the said Will, and at the sole Charge of the Trust, erected and furnished a spacious and commodious Edifice near the University of Oxford, with all convenient and proper Necessaries for a GENERAL INFIRMARY, which they have voluntarily offered for the general Use of the University and City of Oxford, and of the several Counties of Berks, Bucks, and Oxford. We, therefore, whose Names are here under written, being desirous of promoting and carrying into Execution the laudable design of the Donor and his Trustees, have agreed to pay into the Hands of the Right Hon. Lord Craven, the Reverend the Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford, William Drake of Amersham, in the County of Bucks, Esquire, and Robert Child Esquire, and Company, of Temple Bar, London, Or one of them, the several and respective Sums placed against each and every of our Names, subject to the Rules and Orders here under written, and subject also to such further Rules, Orders, and Directions, as shall be agreed upon and ordered by any Seven or more of the Governors, Contributors to this Undertaking, at any of their future Meeting or Meetings, for carrying the Intention of the said Dr. Radcliffe and his Trustees into Execution. I. That each Contributor deposit in Advance the Amount of One Year's intended Benefaction at the Time of Subscribing. II. That no Person subscribing under Three Guineas per Annum, or Thirty Guineas Once paid for life, shall be entitled to vote as a Governor in the Choice of any Officer, or in any Matter whatsoever relative to the Conduct of the Charity. III. Every Person subscribing One Guinea per year may recommend One In-Patient in One Year. IV. All Persons subscribing above One Guinea and under Five Guineas, may always have One In-Patient. V. All Persons subscribing Five Guineas, or upwards, may have Two In-Patients. VI. Ladies subscribing as Governors may vote upon all Occasions by Proxy under their Hand and Seal. VII. That a General Meeting of the Governors will be held at the Hospital at Oxford on Saturday the Twenty-first Day of July next for opening the said Infirmary, and for nominating such Physicians, Surgeons, Apothecaries, Assistants and Officers, as they shall think proper, and for making such further Rules and Orders as shall be judged necessary and expedient. VIII. No Recommendation to be taken from Persons whose Subscription is in Arrear. All these Rules are liable to alteration and Amendment by the General Court of Governors. A list of annual subscribers was included in the Notice. The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough each subscribed £21. At that time there had been twelve subscriptions of £10.10s, nine of £5.5s., and one of £3.3s.
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