Sir Mark Rainsford (c. 1652 – November 1709) was an Irish businessman and politician; and the owner of what was to later become the Guinness Brewery.
Political career Rainsford was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1700 to 1701. During his term as Lord Mayor, the King William III equestrian statue in College Green, Dublin was unveiled on 1 July 1701.A transcription of the statue's plaque read: "I am seeing here the Third King of Great Britain, France and Hibernia./ For the keeping of Religious Reinstated Laws. / Bring Freedom and this Statue To the eminent citizens of Dublin. / It was begun A.D 1700 Sir Anthony Percy, Lord Mayor. Charles Forrest, James Barlow - Esquires Sheriffs / Finished, A.D 1701 Sir Mark Rainsford, Lord Mayor. John Eceles, Ralph Gore - Esquires Sheriffs" He had previously served as High Sheriff of Dublin City in 1689 and 1690.
Business career
Rainsford was the owner of what would later become the Guinness Brewery in St. James's Gate, Dublin. His business manufactured 'Beer and Fine Ales' and he was succeeded by his son - also named Mark Rainsford. In 1715, the business was leased to Captain Paul Espinasse. By 1750, the Rainsford family had resumed possession of the business and site. Rainsford's grandson, also called Mark Rainsford, signed over the now famous 9000 year lease to Arthur Guinness on 31 December 1759.
Personal life Rainsford was married twice; His first wife was Jane Mee, the daughter of Giles Mee. He had three sons and several daughters. He acquired land in Portarlington in Queen's County (later County Laois) as well as plantations in County Kildare and County Kilkenny.
In 1691, upon the death of his father-in-law, Giles Mee, Rainsford inherited water rights in the district around St. James's Gate and leveraged these rights to undertake his brewing business.
Rainsford was married for a second time, to Isabella Bolton, on 16 May 1695 in St. Michan's Church Dublin.Ancestry.com. Ireland, Select Marriages, 1619-1898 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. He died in November 1709, and Rainsford Street (which stands at the junction of Crane Street and the entrance to Guinness Brewery) was named in his honour.
Images
References