William Spurstow

William Spurstow was an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons in the period between 1640 and 1644.

Originally from Shrewsbury, Spurstow became a leading London merchant after moving to capital. In London he became a member of the Mercer’s Company, a trade association for general merchants, and especially for exporters of wool and importers of velvet, silk and other luxurious fabrics. He is largely credited for a Bill in Parliament which relieved Welsh cloth from the need to have a seal of content (1606). Spustow even held the position of a Director of the English East India Company, the most prominent English trading company.

Besides Spurstow was a member of two puritan organizations ─ of the congregation of St Stephen Coleman Street, and the Massachusetts Bay Company which were in opposition to Crown and Church between 1629 and 1640. During the English Civil War (1642-1651) he was a supporter of the Parliamentary cause.

Spurstow died a wealthy man with his cash alone amounting to over £5,000. He left charitable donations which included £300 to Shrewbury to set poor up in work.