Ebenezer Foster founded Fosters bank with his brother Richard in 1804. Fosters bank later became Lloyds bank and the Sidney street branch in Cambridge still has his name above the door in recognition of the great man. The Foster family lived at Anstey Hall in Trumpington and owned three mills (The bank was originally founded for the Mill workers)
The university would not allow them to have railway lines running to the mills so they built one directly beside the railway line, Fosters mill which became Spillers Mill. He became Mayor of Cambridge in 1836 and subsequent mayoral positions were held by other members of the Foster family.



DEATH OF MR. EBENEZER FOSTER.
It is this week our melancholy duty to announce the death of one of the best men Cambridge ever knew— Ebenezer Foster, Esq. He had been ill but a very short time, about ten days, and died of internal inflammation early on Monday morning last, at Anstey Hall, Trumpington, where his family have resided for some years. Although so well qualified, in every respect, for public business, up to the time of the passing of the Municipal Act, Mr. Foster held no public office; but, on the passing that Act, he was returned to the Council, elected an alderman, then a magistrate, and 1836 was elected mayor, and continued to the last to take an active part in public business. About four years ago he was nominated by the Lord-Lieutenant a magistrate for the County, and in 1849 was elected its high-sheriff. Mr. Foster was also a member of the Bedford Level Corporation and other boards, and a governor of Addenbrooke's Hospital, to the funds which he liberally contributed, and took an active part in its management. Besides these public offices, Mr. Foster was at the head of the first banking and mercantile establishments in the town. It is unnecessary, there fore, to say that his life was one of great activity and usefulness; and it is not too much to say that in every occupation, whether public or private, bis conduct commanded universal respect. Blessed with ample means, his charity and benevolence were unbounded. To all the public institutions he was a liberal benefactor, and his private charities were dispensed with an unsparing hand. To say that the loss of such a man will be severely felt, and that, although the disposition may exist, it will take years to mould any one into the same habit, is to speak truly, but very tamely, of such event as the death of good a man. But, alas! these are bereavements to which society, as well as friends, must submit; but friends may be proud of their connection with such a man, and society, though it deplores his loss, may hope to profit by his example. Mr. Foster was a Dissenter, and a constant attendant at the St. Andrew's-street Chapel; a sincere Christian, but no bigot, he lived on terms of intimacy alike with Churchmen and Dissenters, and respected others opinions without compromising his own. In politics, in which he took an active part, he was thoroughly and consistently liberal; happily he lived in the days of political progress, and saw many laws which were a disgrace to our country, and intended to operate against such men as himself, swept away, and a brighter and more tolerant system introduced. Even in this respect, the present generation owes much to the exertions of such men as Mr. Foster.
His mortal remains will be deposited this day, at twelve o'clock, in the family vault Trumpington Church, adjoining Anstey Hall, beside those Mrs. Foster and a daughter.
(Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 31 May 1851)

Ebenezer Foster founded Fosters bank with his brother Richard in 1804. Fosters bank later became Lloyds bank and the Sidney street branch in Cambridge still has his name above the door in recognition of the great man. The Foster family lived at Anstey Hall in Trumpington and owned three mills (The bank was originally founded for the Mill workers)
The university would not allow them to have railway lines running to the mills so they built one directly beside the railway line, Fosters mill which became Spillers Mill. He became Mayor of Cambridge in 1836 and subsequent mayoral positions were held by other members of the Foster family.



DEATH OF MR. EBENEZER FOSTER.
It is this week our melancholy duty to announce the death of one of the best men Cambridge ever knew— Ebenezer Foster, Esq. He had been ill but a very short time, about ten days, and died of internal inflammation early on Monday morning last, at Anstey Hall, Trumpington, where his family have resided for some years. Although so well qualified, in every respect, for public business, up to the time of the passing of the Municipal Act, Mr. Foster held no public office; but, on the passing that Act, he was returned to the Council, elected an alderman, then a magistrate, and 1836 was elected mayor, and continued to the last to take an active part in public business. About four years ago he was nominated by the Lord-Lieutenant a magistrate for the County, and in 1849 was elected its high-sheriff. Mr. Foster was also a member of the Bedford Level Corporation and other boards, and a governor of Addenbrooke's Hospital, to the funds which he liberally contributed, and took an active part in its management. Besides these public offices, Mr. Foster was at the head of the first banking and mercantile establishments in the town. It is unnecessary, there fore, to say that his life was one of great activity and usefulness; and it is not too much to say that in every occupation, whether public or private, bis conduct commanded universal respect. Blessed with ample means, his charity and benevolence were unbounded. To all the public institutions he was a liberal benefactor, and his private charities were dispensed with an unsparing hand. To say that the loss of such a man will be severely felt, and that, although the disposition may exist, it will take years to mould any one into the same habit, is to speak truly, but very tamely, of such event as the death of good a man. But, alas! these are bereavements to which society, as well as friends, must submit; but friends may be proud of their connection with such a man, and society, though it deplores his loss, may hope to profit by his example. Mr. Foster was a Dissenter, and a constant attendant at the St. Andrew's-street Chapel; a sincere Christian, but no bigot, he lived on terms of intimacy alike with Churchmen and Dissenters, and respected others opinions without compromising his own. In politics, in which he took an active part, he was thoroughly and consistently liberal; happily he lived in the days of political progress, and saw many laws which were a disgrace to our country, and intended to operate against such men as himself, swept away, and a brighter and more tolerant system introduced. Even in this respect, the present generation owes much to the exertions of such men as Mr. Foster.
His mortal remains will be deposited this day, at twelve o'clock, in the family vault Trumpington Church, adjoining Anstey Hall, beside those Mrs. Foster and a daughter.
(Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 31 May 1851)

Bio by: Sturon