John Isham

A Northampton-born London merchant, Isham was raised in a family of minor gentry and apprenticed as a wool merchant in London.

Having obtained freedom of the Mercers’ Company and the city in 1552, he established himself in the London cloth trade. Through a marriage with Elizabeth Barker, a wealthy widow and through a partnership with his brother Gregory, already a distinguished businessman, Isham obtained initial capital required to conduct business.

The Isham brothers were middle ranking exporters engaged in trade between London and Antwerp. Broadcloths of Suffolk, Somerset and Wiltshire, and Yorkshire kerseys they exchanged for silks and luxury clothes. As the business flourished, Isham was able to purchase an estate in Lamport, Northamptonshire in 1560 and built a manor house. Later he would serve as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1567 John was elected a warden or head officer of the Mercers’ Company. He also served as governor of the English merchant adventurers in Flanders.

He died in 1595 at the age of 71.