RAMSDEN, William (c.1618-80), of Hull, Yorks.

Ramsden, a merchant and member of the Hull merchant adventurers, was probably a kinsman of John Ramsden I. Although he had held office in Hull during the Interregnum he accepted the Restoration, signing the town’s congratulatory address to Charles II in June 1660. He was confirmed as an alderman in the new charter issued in 1661. Returned for the borough in November 1678 at the by-election caused by the death of Andrew Marvell, he played no part in the last session of the Cavalier Parliament, although he sent reports of parliamentary proceedings to the corporation, and Shaftesbury retained the assessment of ‘thrice worthy’ accorded to his predecessor. On his reelection he was marked ‘worthy’ on Shaftesbury’s list. On 16 May he was added to the inquiry into abuses in the Post Office, his only committee appointment, but he abstained from the division on the exclusion bill. He did not stand again, but on 9 Oct. the corporation authorized the payment of £38 for his 114 days’ attendance in the two Parliaments. He died on 2 Sept. 1680 in his 63rd year, and was buried at Holy Trinity, Hull.Hull Charters ed. Boyle, 158; Misc. Gen. et Her. (ser. 2), i, 172; Cal. Hull Deeds, ed. Stanewell, 262-6; Marvell ed. Margoliouth, ii. 342-3; Yorks. Arch. Jnl. xiv. 211.