Family and Education

b. ?1675, 1st s. of Ralph Cotton of Bellaport by Abigail, da. of Sir Thomas Abney, M.P., of Willersley, Derbys. educ. Wadham, Oxf. 22 Apr. 1691, aged 16. m. bef. 1699, Mary, da. and coh. of Sir Samuel Sleigh of Etwall, Derbys., 1s. 3da.

Offices Held

Sheriff, Salop 1697-8; mayor, Newcastle-under-Lyme 1697-8; steward of the manor of Newcastle 1702-7.

Biography

A leader of the Staffordshire Jacobites,1 Cotton was returned in 1715, but lost his seat on petition, never standing again. He died 29 Apr. 1753.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. Stuart mss 65/16.