Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Monteage, Stephen
MONTEAGE, STEPHEN (1623?–1687), merchant and accountant, born about 1623, was son of Stephen Monteage of Buckingham and of his wife Jane (d. 1670), daughter of Edward Deane of Pinnock in Gloucestershire. He was apprenticed to James Houblon, merchant, of London (Addit. MS. 29559, f. 175), with whose family he remained on terms of friendship all his life [see Houblon, Sir John]. Monteage did much towards bringing into general use the method of keeping accounts by double entry. In 1670 he was residing in Broad Street, London (ib. 29552, f. 406), and in 1677 in Winchester Street. He was agent to Christopher Hatton, first viscount Hatton (1632–1706) [q. v.], and his letters in that capacity are now in the British Museum. Monteage was as zealous in small matters as large; his letters are as precise in detail whether they refer to the extra yard or two of velvet which he saved by personally superintending the cutting-out of Lord Hatton's robe for the coronation of James II (ib. 29561, ff. 91–132), or to the large sums required for the payment of the troops in Guernsey. Monteage died on 21 Oct. 1687, and was buried in the church of All Hallows-on-the-Wall (parish register). He left several children. His eldest son, Dean Monteage, succeeded him as agent to Lord Hatton, and was accomptant-general to the commissioners of excise. Another son, John, who had been 'very chargeable in his education and travels abroad,' was in business as a merchant in January 1687, and was residing in Bond's Court, Walbrook, in 1694. Monteage also left two daughters. His grandson, Stephen Monteage (born 5 July 1681, son of Dean Monteage), was in 1735 stock accountant to the York Buildings Company of which company he was also a 'proprietor.' He was in 1738 employed on the accounts of the South Sea Company, and later on in the customs.
Monteage published: 1. 'Debtor and Creditor,' London, 1675, to which his portrait, engraved by E. le Davis, is prefixed. 2. 'Instructions for Rent-gatherers' Accompts, &c., made easie,' London, 1683.
[Granger's Biographical History of England, iv. 101; London Directory, 1677 (reprint of 1878); Browne Willis's Hist, of Buckingham, pp. 68, 72; P. C. C., 140, Foot; Political State, March 1735, p. 223; List of the Corporation of the York Buildings Company, 1735; Addit. MSS. 29555-64, passim; Diary of Stephen Monteage the younger, MS. 205 in the Guildhall Library.]