Henry Tooley

Henry Tooley (d. 1551) was a Suffolk, England merchant. Alive during the Tudor period, by the time of his death he was one of the richest businessmen in the town of Ipswich. He was closely associated with the fellow merchant and Member of Parliament for Ipswich, Robert Daundy. His trade network extended Biscayan ports, the Netherlands and Iceland as well as including much of East Anglia east of line drawn between Chelmsford and Thetford – and the highly populated and industry towns of south Suffolk in particular.

Early life

Two locations have been put forward for the origin of his family: Corton, Suffolk or Catton, Norfolk. He was born in the last quarter of the 15th century. Traditional accounts claim he was born in the house which became the Ram Inn. He probably completed an apprenticeship, but there is no mention of him in the records until 1499 when 'Henry Toly' is mentioned occupying some land near the river in Ipswich. and died in 1543.