Col. Thomas Middleton, Surveyor of the Navy, world trader

From http://www.pepysdiary.com/p/7120.php

Middleton, Col. Thomas
L&M say…
(d.1672). Navy Commissioner, Portsmouth 1664-7; Surveyor of the Navy 1667-72; Navy Commissioner, Chatham 1672.
Little is known of his background except that he had risen to rank of colonel in the Parliamentary Army, had traded with the West Indies and New England, and had travelled both in the New World and the Mediterranean, becoming a member of the Council for Plantations in 1660… (Further info has spoilers)

George Pemberton, seller of silk, 1709

Classified Ad found in the ancient newspapers here: http://www.gale.cengage.com

FOR SALE BY THE CANDLE

On Thursday the 27th Instant, will be Sold at Bat-son's Coffee-house in Cornhill, at 3 a clock in the Afternoon, Sundry sorts of Raw and Thrown silk. Catalogues to be had at the Place of Sale. By Geo. Pemberton.

Daily Courant, London, England, Monday, January 24, 1709, Issue 2261.

So here is a George Pemberton dealing in exotic commodities that reminds me of green olives.

For sale by candle, or more often, sale by inch of candle, refers to an auction practice begun in the late 15th century wherein the last bid placed before a candle went out (normally by burning to completion) was the winning bid.

Diary of Samuel Pepys and Green Olives

Reviewing old emails about the Pemberton's gatepost sign, I saw a reference to Samuel Pepys [say peeps] a Londoner of renown who kept an extensive diary from 1660 to 1669. Today, Wikipedia says, "Although Pepys had no maritime experience, he rose by patronage, hard work and his talent for administration, to be the Chief Secretary to the Admiralty under both King Charles II and subsequently King James II." The diary is being published a bit at a time. A search today found a reference to a Pemberton that should have been spelled Pembleton - a dance instructor.

King Charles II married a girl from Portugal

And what do they grow there if it isn't olives - "While olives are green and commodities rough, this is ..."