he 18th century was a time of extraordinary growth in Britain. As the empire expanded, many of our ancestors made their fortunes off growing international trade – and in many cases the trade in enslaved human beings. At home, they spent that money on luxury goods. One such figure was Sir John Boyd (1718–1800). His legacy stands today in Danson House, a beautiful mansion in the borough of Bexley in South-East London. The Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre holds records from the estate, including Sir John's journal of accounts. Community Archivist Oliver Wooller explains how it
