Background
William was the son of William Russell of Surrey and Joan Sanders, and grandson of Maurice Russell of Yaverland, Isle of Wight.
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William Russell
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He bought treasurership of navy (1618 – c 1627) and reappointed, 1630. He was created Baronet of Chippenham in 1630. He travelled to Russia before attendin Greys Inn in 1631.
Williams was sworn a free brother of the East India Company on 20 October 1609, "having formerly bought Sir Francis Cherry"s adventure", and became a director on 5 July 1615.
He was appointed a director of the Company of the Merchants of London, the discoverers of the North-West Passage, in July 1612. Foreign many years he traded as an adventurer in the Muscovy Company, but, dissatisfied with the management, withdrew his capital.
He afterwards became involved in legal proceedings with the company. In May 1618 he bought the treasurership of the navy from Sir Robert Mansell.
He held this office until about 1627, when Sir Sackville Crow succeeded him.
But the latter appears to have been so incompetent that Russell was reappointed in January 1630 and created a baronet. In 1632 he was appointed a commissioner to inquire into frauds on the customs. On 11 January 1639 Sir Henry Vane was associated with him in the treasurership of the navy.
A man of considerable wealth, Russell frequently lent money to the government of Charles I. He was one of the promoters of the Persian Company, to which he subscribed £3,000, and took part in numerous projects for draining the Fens.
He died in 1654, and was buried (3 February) at Chippenham, Cambridgeshire. Russell married three times.
Of these:
William, the second son, was knighted and called "Black" Sir William
Gerard, the third son, was father of William Russell of Fordham (died 1701), who married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Cromwell. Russell"s third wife, again named Elizabeth, was the daughter and co-heiress of Michael Smallpage of Chichester, and widow of John Wheatley of Catesfield, Sussex, by whom he had two sons:
William, was knighted and called "White" Sir William, and was created a baronet on 8 November 1660.
The dignity became extinct on his death without male issue.
Membership
2nd Parliament of King Charles I]
He was a prominent member of several of the great trading companies.
