1751   SAMUEL SIMPSON, (Grocer and Ironmonger).

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Eldest son of AId. Samuel Simpson, mayor in 1735;

born 29 November and baptized at St. Martin's 20 December 1711, enrolled a freeman of the borough 15 April 1734, joining the corporation and filling various offices soon afterwards. In 1740 he was one of the borough chamberlains, a churchwarden of St. Martin's in 1746, and resided for several years near the Round Hill. A man of exceptional learning, being skilled in the Hebrew language. Throsby says he was "perhaps the first and probably may be the last alderman of Leicester a reader of the Old Testament in the original." He married twice, had issue, and at his death 14 May 1788, aged seventy~seven, was buried at St. Martin's 19 May. M.I. to him and his second wife formerly to be seen on the north wall of the south chancel in the church there :-

"Near this place lie

the remains of Samuel Simpson, alderman, and once mayor of this Borough.

He died the 14th day of May, 1788 aged 77 years.

Elizabeth his wife died May 6, 1795, aged 77 years."