The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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William Courten ( - 1655)

Alias William Curteene
Alias William Curteen [Alias]

Merchant and collector, bequeathed his collection to his son, William (1642-1702), most of which was probably inherited from his own father. He also inherited his father's patents and partnerships, reformed in 1637 as the Courten Association. He married Katherine Egerton, daughter of the first Earl of Bridgewater, and continued the family business but ran into financial difficulties and eventual bankruptcy.

He is named as a benefactor in Musaeum Tradescantianum.
 Relationships: William Courten was a member of Courteen Association (-)
William Courten was a father of William Courten (28 Mar 1642-26 Mar 1702)
William Courten was a associate or acquaintance (general) of John, the Elder Tradescant (c.1570s-c.15 Apr 1638)
William Courten was a associate or acquaintance (general) of John Weddell (c.1583-1639/40)

William Courten (c.1568-1636) was a father of William Courten
John Tradescant, the Younger (4 Aug 1608 [bap.]-22 Apr 1662) was a associate or acquaintance (general) of William Courten
John Weddell (c.1583-1639/40) was a employed by William Courten
Linked print sources: as Mentioned or referenced by - The John Tradescants: Gardeners to the Rose and Lily Queen .
as Subject of/in a document - Biographia Britannica: or, the lives of the most eminent persons who have flourished in Great Britain and Ireland, from the earliest ages, To The Present Times: collected from the best authorities, Printed And Manuscript, and digested in the manner of Mr. Bayle's Historical and critical dictionary. The second edition, with corrections, enlargements, and the addition of new lives.
 References in Documents:
Musaeum Tradescantianum (1656) Principall Benefactors to the precedent Collection. {King Charles.} {Queen Mary.} George Duke of Buckingham. Lady Katharine Dutchess of Buck: William Laud Archbishop of Cant: Robert Earle of Salisbury. William Earle of Salisbury. Earle of Carlisle. Lord Viscount Dorchester. Lord Viscount Faulkland. Lord Strange. Lord Goring. Lord Cambden. Countesse of Arundell. Lady Matrevers. Lady Denbeigh. Lady Wootton. 180Musæum Tradescantianum. Lady Mary Villers. Lady Goring. Lady Killegray. Lady Christian Leviston. Sir Thomas Roe. Sir Christopher Hatton. Sir Henry VVootonWooton. Sir Kenelme Digby. Sir Nathanael Bacon. Sir Butts Bacon. Sir Dudly Diggs. Sir Henry Vane. Sir Henry Palmer. Sir Robert Heath. Sir Peter Manwood. Sir John Trever. Sir William Boswell. Sir Clipsby Crew. Sir Alexander Gourdon. Sir James Bagg. Sir David Kirke. Sir Richard Wiseman. Sir John Smith. Sir John Wieldes. Sir Henry Meldree. Musæum Tradescantianum.181 Sir John Aemoote. Lady Roe. Lady Graimes. Doctor Owin. Doctor John Hill. Doctor Thomas Wharton. Doctor William Broad. Doctor Bugg. William Murray Esq. William Curteene Esq. Elias Ashmole Esq. Captain Weddell. Captain Plumbey. Captain Ireland. Captain Cleborne. Captain Prim. Captain Wood. Captain West. Captain Swanley. Captain Adam Denton. Captain Trenchfield. Captain David Atchinson. Mr. Nicolas, Secretary to the Navy. Mr. John Slany Merchant. Mr. Charleton Merchant. 182Musæum Tradescantianum. Mr. James Boovy Merchant. Mr. John Millen. Mr. Thomas Howard. Mr. White of Burntwood. Mr. Ofield. Mr. Ofley. Mr. Greene. Mr. Munke. Mr. Sadler. Mr. Bushell. Mr. Liggon. Mr. George Tomasin. In EEBO copy: Scratched out in original document and has "Thomason" written beside it in ink. Mr. Dells. Mr. Gage. Mr. Pergins. Mr. Robert Martyn. Mr. Trion. Mr. Woolfe. Mr. Browne. Mr. Martin Masters. Mr. Butler. Mr. Phillips. Mr. Harison. Mr. Pette. Mr. Short. Musæum Tradescantianum.183 Mr. Bound. Mr. Stone. Mr. Bartholomew Hagatt. Mr. Reeve. Mr. Francis Cline. Mr. Thomas Herbert. Mr. Rowland Bucket. Mr. Snelling. Mr. Rowe. Mr. Smith. Mr. Butterworth. Mr. le Goulz. Mr. William Martyn. Mr. Lanyon. Mr. Gasper Calthoofe. Mr. William Lambert. Mr. John Benson.
Peter Mundy's description of the Tradescants' Ark in his travel diary (1634) [6] Among the "Principall Benefactors" to the Tradescant collection are the names of William "Curteene" Esqr., Captain Weddell and Captain Swanley. Musæum Tradescantianum, by J. T.