Background
Alexander Champion was born on 11 November 1751, the son of another Alexander Champion (snr) who was considered to be the father of British Whaling.
Alexander Champion was born on 11 November 1751, the son of another Alexander Champion (snr) who was considered to be the father of British Whaling.
His ancestors were from Berkshire and moved to London in the early 18th century. An embargo had been placed on whale oil exports from New England in 1775, as a result of the American Revolutionary War. When James Cook returned to Britain from his voyage into the South Atlantic in 1775, during which he crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time, he reported that the seas were full of whales and seals.
This was timely.
Later in 1786, in the Council Chamber at Whitehall, Samuel Enderby and Alexander Champion and others, were examined regarding the southern whale-fishery. They were asked whether they had any reason to believe that great quantities of Spermaceti whales might be found east of the Cape, and they replied: “Yes, we have very good information from captains and mates of East Indiamen." In proof of it they produced ‘quantities of ambergris which is part of the dung of the whales.’ This is a quaint way of expressing the nature of ambergris which is worth more than its weight in gold. Ambergris is a waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale used in making perfumes.
In the 1780s he was recorded as living at 3, Great Winchester Street, London.
Alexander Champion was a London alderman. He was also one of the directors of the Bank of England, and of the London Dock Company.
Alexander died on 6 April 1809 at his house on Battersea-rise, Surrey, after two days illness, having been taken ill at the Bank on the 4th. He was buried in Bromley, Kent.
Ann outlived Alexander by many years and died on 8 April 1837 in her 85th year.
Alexander and Ann had four daughters
I. Ann born in 1775 in London, baptised at Street Peter Le Poer on 29 March 1775 – she died on 9 February 1788
World War II Harriet was born on 1 March 1776 and died on 10 November 1814. III Maria was born on 8 February 1778 and one reference says she died 10 May 1822 though another she was still alive in 1861 census! IV Elizabeth was born 21 February 1781 and died on 26 June 1870.
