Author: Linnecar, Richard
Biography:
LINNECAR, Richard (1722-1800: ODNB)
There are surprisingly few public records of the life of Richard Linnecar despite his apparently deep Yorkshire roots, his prominence in the Masonic order, his public role as a coroner for West Yorkshire, and the widespread support demonstrated in the long subscription list for his only known publication. No birth record has yet been found and the names of his parents are unknown, but he was evidently born in Wakefield; the death record gives 19 Feb. 1723 as his birthdate. Nothing is known of his education. In 1743 he was initiated into the masonic order at Gibraltar, where perhaps he had gone on business; he was later master of a lodge at Wakefield for 26 years. Linnecar was a wine merchant in Wakefield for most of his life, but for some reason his marriage was a “clandestine marriage” held in the chapel of the Fleet prison in London on 22 May 1749, both partners citing the parish of St. George’s, Hanover Square, as their place of residence. His bride was Mary Swallow (1725-96); they had at least six children born between 1751 and 1762. In 1763 he was elected one of the coroners for the West Riding, a position he held until his death on 14 Mar. 1800—during an inquest in Swillington, Yorkshire, or “after a short confinement” depending on the source. He was buried at All Saints, Wakefield, on 19 Mar. Linnecar advertised for subscriptions for two years before Miscellaneous Works appeared, dedicated to his friend Dr. John Berkenhout (1726-91) and all the other subscribers. It contains two comedies in prose and a prose essay on freemasonry besides the poetry, which consists of a tragedy and a variety of songs and short poems. (ODNB 20 Jan. 2024; ancestry.com 20 Jan. 2024; findmypast.com 20 Jan. 2024; Leeds Intelligencer 21 Mar. 17659; Hull Packet 25 Mar. 1800)