Family and Education

bap. 22 Oct. 1671, 2nd s. of John Cotton of Ashill, Norf. by Ann, da. of Jermyn Wright of Wangford, Suff., sis. of Sir Robert Wright, c.j. King’s bench. m. Elizabeth, da. of John Wright, merchant taylor, of London, 3da. suc. e. bro. 1699.1

Offices Held

Clerk of Cutlers’ Co 1705-d.; dep. steward, Westminster 1714-26, 1727-d.2

Biography

Cotton was connected with the Duke of Ormonde,3 who as high steward of Westminster appointed him his deputy to preside over the court of burgesses. He was returned as a Tory for Westminster in 1722 with the support of Atterbury, whom he advised in financial matters.4 Unseated on petition, he stood again, but was defeated. During an illness in 1726-7, Archibald Hutcheson replaced him as deputy steward of Westminster.5 Suffering ‘many losses and misfortunes’,6 in 1728 he had to sell Little Grove, where he had built a mansion.7 He died December 1736.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. F. C. Cass, East Barnet, 107.
• 2. Proc. of court of burgesses of Westminster.
• 3. Add. 28893, f. 473.
• 4. Nichols, Epistolary Corresp. Bp. Atterbury, iv. 225-6, 256; v, 133-7.
• 5. Ibid. iv. 226; court of burgesses of Westminster.
• 6. PCC 53 Wake.
• 7. East Barnet, 88, 110.