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DECKER, Sir Matthew, 1st Bt. (1679-1749), of Richmond, Surr.
Available from Boydell and Brewer
Constituency
Dates
Family and Education
b. 1679, s. of Derick Decker of Amsterdam by his w. Katherina. educ. Amsterdam. m. bef. 1711, Henrietta, da. of Rev. Richard Watkins, D.D., rector of Whichford, Warws., 1s. 3da. cr. Bt. 20 July 1716.
Offices Held
Director, E.I. Co. 1713-43, dep. gov. 1720-1, 1729-30, gov. 1725-6, 1730-3, chairman 1725, 1730-2; gov. South Sea Co. 1711-12; assistant, R. African Co. 1720; sheriff, Surr. 1728-9.
Biography
Sir Matthew Decker, a wealthy banker of Dutch origin, came to England soon after 1700. Under Queen Anne he corresponded with Harley on Dutch affairs.1 He owed his election at Bishop’s Castle to his client, the Duke of Chandos, with whom he had had dealings when Chandos was paymaster, buying pictures and tapestries for him in the Low Countries.2 In 1721 Chandos reported that Decker ‘hath had enough of it’,3 i.e. of Parliament. He died 18 Mar. 1749, leaving the bulk of his fortune to his only surviving daughter, who had married the 6th Viscount Fitzwilliam.4