Henry Ashurst

Sir Henry Ashurst, 1st Baronet (8 September 1645 – 13 April 1711) was an English Whig politician, merchant, and colonial agent who sat in the House of Commons of England between 1681 and 1702. A prominent supporter of Nonconformity, he served as the London agent for the New England colonies of Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut and was created a baronet in 1688.

Early life and family Ashurst was born on 8 September 1645, the eldest son of Henry Ashurst (c. 1614–1680), a wealthy London draper, alderman, and influential Presbyterian benefactor, and Judith Reresby. His younger brother, Sir William Ashurst, was a prominent merchant who later served as Lord Mayor of London in 1693 and as a Member of Parliament. On 26 March 1670, Ashurst married Diana Paget (c. 1648–1707), daughter of William Paget, 6th Baron Paget. Ashurst died at Waterstock on 13 April 1711, aged 65, and was buried in the local parish church. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his eldest son, Henry. The title became extinct upon the 2nd Baronet's death without male issue in 1732.