Samuel Backhouse

Samuel was born as son of Nicholas Backhouse of Cheapside in Middlesex, an alderman and Sheriff of London, from whom he inherited property in Hampshire, London and Middlesex. In 1586 he augmented his properties by acquiring the Swallowfield Park estate in Berkshire.

Interested in politics, Backhouse served as High Sheriff of Berkshire (in 1598 and 1601), and as a Member of Parliament for Windsor (in 1603 and 1611). His business interests included trade with the East Indies, and in 1600 he invested £240 into the English East India Company, along with his brother Rowland.

In marriage with Elisabeth Borlase he had four children.