William Hewer

[2] Hewer is frequently mentioned in Pepys' diary as a trusted friend as well as an assistant.

He was appointed to the Special Commission which replaced the Navy Board in 1686 with responsibility for accounts.

After the deposition of James II in 1689, Pepys and Hewer lost their patronage from the Crown; both were briefly imprisoned, but were released without trial.

My wife told me how she had moved to W. Hewer the business of my sister for a wife to him, which he received with mighty acknowledgements, as she says, above anything; but says he hath no intention to alter his condition He owned a house near The Strand which became the Admiralty Office when he and Pepys moved from the Navy Board.

Pepys went to live in Hewer's house on Clapham Common in his old age and died there in 1703.

[6] The memorial to Hewer in St Paul's Church was designed by Francis Bird and modelled on the Memorial to Maria Raggi by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome.

[8][9] In 1684 William Hewer was admitted to the Freedom of the Clothworkers' Company, and was immediately sworn in as a member of the Court of Assistants.

William Hewer as painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller , 1689. This portrait, along with one of Samuel Pepys painted by Kneller, remained with Pepys family heirs until the 20th century.