James Neild

After his father died, which left five children, including James, and Neild's mother to be supported by carrying on business as a linendraper.

In 1770, a legacy from his farmer uncle enabled Neild to set up in business as a jeweller in London's St James's Street.

[1] Neild moved to Chelsea, London,[3] and concentrated on philanthropy and campaigning; he worked especially in the field of prison reform.

In his early London days, when visiting in 1762 a fellow-apprentice who was confined for debt in the King's Bench Prison, Neild felt the necessity of reforms.

In 1781 he caught gaol fever at Warwick, and his ill-health, combined with business interests, for a time interrupted his philanthropic work.

In the latter half of 1809, during a four months' excursion in England and Scotland, he was presented with the freedom of Glasgow, Perth, Paisley, Inverness, and Ayr.