Richard Champion of Bristol

[2] His relations Nehemiah and William and their predecessors were involved in the manufacture of brass for several generations, initially in partnership with Abraham Darby.

Returning to Bristol around 1762 he worked for another uncle, Richard "Gospel" Champion who was a merchant in the city selling goods to the Caribbean and America.

In this post, Richard formed relationships with traders on the east coast of America, and encountered the attitude of colonial Americans to the British government.

[6] Champion's activities as a merchant involved forming relationships with prominent American counterparts, including Robert Morris of Philadelphia.

The wares were, uniquely in England, of a hard paste recipe, made from materials discovered by Cookworthy and owned by Thomas Pitt.

Early in 1778, in the midst of financial difficulties, he took part in a meeting in Bristol to raise funds for American prisoners of war, subscribing 5 guineas personally.

[19] Champion probably re-purchased the Bristol porcelain factory with the help of friends,[20] and he set about selling off the stock, the final act being the Christie's auction in February 1780.

With land probably provided for him by his brother-in-law, John Lloyd, he set up a plantation about 100 miles north at Camden, handing over its running to his two sons.

The first was Considerations on the present situation of Great Britain and the United States of North America with a view of their future Commercial Connexions, published anonymously in 1784 shortly before Champion emigrated, and later with his name appended.

The next, Comparative reflections on the past and present political, commercial, and civil state of Great Britain; with some thoughts concerning emigration, was published in 1787.