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

[ Previous ][ Next ]

Richard Culliford, Captain ( - c. 3 May 1738)

The "Commissary Culliford" identified as a benefactor of Salter's Museum must be one Captain Richard Culliford named on a monument in the Old Church of Chelsea marking the grave of his wife, Ann Culliford, who died 8 September 1726 at age 67 (Beaver, 376). Culliford himself was buried at Chelsea on 3 May 1738 (Davies, 234). He is named as one of the trustees of Sir John Munden's will, dated 1727 (Davies, 234). Munsden was also one of Salter's "benefactors." It is unclear, though, in what sense this captain was a "commissary," although the Survey of London identifies Captain Culliford as the "Commissary" named in Salter's catalogue (VII.51).

"In 1714 Richard Culliford bought the lease of the house on the east side near the top, on a site 32 ft to Lawrence Street and 145 ft back to Cheyne Row, built by Thomas Hearne in 1688, and in 1720 he obtained a 20-ft wide strip of the vacant land which lay between him and the wall of the Duchess of Buccleuch's house at the northern end" ("Settlement and building").

The diary of Narcissus Luttrell, resident of Little Chelsea from June 1710, records a visit to the Northumberland Arms, where he saw Captain Culliford and his son. He also records a visit to Salter's coffee house where he saw "several I knew" (Davies, 217, citing British Library Add MS 10447). However, this captain is not, as Davies believes, the Culliford who was member of parliament and commissioner of customs mentioned several times in Luttrell's A Brief Historical Relation of State Affairs (Davies, 234-5). This Culliford is William (d. 1724) of Encombe, Dorset, member of parliament for Corfe Castle 1690-1699.



Relevant locations: Lived at or near Chelsea, London
Residence at Lawrence Street, Chelsea
 Relationships: Richard Culliford was a friend of John Munden (c. 1645-1719)
Richard Culliford was a benefactor of James Salter (-c. 1728)

Narcissus Luttrell (1657-1732) was a associate or acquaintance (general) of Richard Culliford
Linked print sources: as Mentioned or referenced by - Chelsea Old church.
 Linked items in print sources: as Mentioned or referenced by - Settlement and Building: From 1680 to 1865, Chelsea Village or Great Chelsea .
 References in Documents:
A Catalogue of the Rarities To be seen at Don Saltero's Coffee-House [1775] C Mr Clark. Sir John Cope, Bart. Sir John Cope, jun. Bart. Charles Cope, Esq; Anthony Cope, Esq; Mans. Cardonnel Esq; Sir Robert Cotton, Bart. Mr Crispin. Capt. Crompton. Mr Robert Cheek. Commissary Culliford. Miss Harriot Cowper. Mr Coggs.