PORTER, Richard

1837 - 1921

Richard Porter was baptised at St Clement's Church, Ipswich on 17 March 1837, son of Richard William Porter (22 September 1799-30 March 1856), solicitor and town treasurer, and his wife Mary Ann née Bond (1800-28 January 1871), who married at Pulham St Mary, Norfolk on 3 September 1828. In 1851, young Richard was a 14-year-old, living at Fore Street St Clement's, Ipswich with his parents, 51-year-old Richard, born at Ipswich and 50-year-old Mary Ann, born at Billingford, Norfolk, with five siblings, Anna 21, Jane 20, Mary Ann 16, Ellen 15 and William 8, all born at Ipswich. Young Richard Porter followed in his father's profession and became a solicitor. He married at Halstead, Essex on 23 July1862, Fanny Rodick (1840-1906), youngest daughter of Septimus Rodick, a surgeon of Halstead. In 1871, a 34-year-old solicitor & landowner, living at 7 Ipswich Road, Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich with his 30-year-old wife Fanny and four children, Edward 4, Frances 3, Herbert 1 and newly born Emma and they retained four servants, and he was still living there in 1881 with the inclusion of five more children including Isabel Jane Porter. Richard was also an insurance agent with offices at Queen Street, Ipswich. His wife died at Rushmere in 1906, aged 65 and in 1911, Richard was a 74-year-old retired solicitor, living at The Lawn, Rushmere Ipswich with three of his unmarried daughters, including Isabel. An honorary member of the Ipswich Art Club from Rushmere, Ipswich 1909-1920, but does not seem to have exhibited. Richard Porter died at Rushmere St Andrew on 25 March 1921, aged 84.