William Ramsden (c 1613-80) was in the Merchant Adventurers’ and Eastland Merchant companies, a son or nephew of John Ramsden. In 1650, he married Ann Hall (after 1620-67), the widowed daughter of Thomas Boynton of Rawcliffe.

He became Sheriff 1656, Mayor 1659, during the Commonwealth, but as he accepted Charles II’s Restoration and signed the congratulatory address to him, his career did not suffer.

Ann died in 1667, in her 40s (although her age has been missed off the ledger!). Ramsden succeeded Andrew Marvell as Hull’s second MP 1678-79 in by-election after the poet’s death.