13 Facts About Edwin Stead

Edwin Stead was a patron of English cricket, particularly of Kent teams in the 1720s.

Edwin Stead usually captained his teams but nothing is known about his ability as a player.

Edwin Stead was born at Harrietsham in Kent and died in London.

Dartford Cricket Club, which featured William Bedle, had arguably the best parish team in the game at the time and it is certain that Edwin Stead used several Dartford players in his Kent teams, of which he was the captain.

Edwin Stead's teams are recorded in several significant matches from 1724 to 1731.

Edwin Stead's first known match was probably at Chingford in 1724 and it became the subject of a court case after the Chingford team refused to play to a finish when Kent had the advantage.

Edwin Stead was a strong rival to the two noted Sussex patrons, Sir William Gage and the 2nd Duke of Richmond.

Edwin Stead was active in single wicket cricket which became popular during his lifetime.

Edwin Stead led a Kent team in three four-a-side matches in 1730.

Edwin Stead inherited the family estate when he was still only eighteen and became a compulsive gambler, being a keen player of dice and cards in addition to cricket, but John Marshall's summary is that "he is said to have lost heavily at all".

John Major wrote that Edwin Stead lived the "proverbial short life but a merry one".

Edwin Stead's recklessness caused him financial difficulties in 1723 and he was obliged to mortgage some of his land to settle his debts.

Edwin Stead was, nevertheless, a "graceful loser" and Major asserts that "his nonchalance" gained him powerful friends including Frederick, Prince of Wales.