Family and Education

b. 4 June 1712, 4th s. of John Cotes of Woodcote by Lady Dorothy Shirley, da. of Robert, 1st Earl Ferrers. Humphry Cotes, the friend of Wilkes, was his yr. bro.; John Cotes his nephew. m. (1) Mary (d. 1 Apr. 1754), wid. of N. Kendal of Pelyn, Cornw.; (2) Miss Ryder (apparently of the Ryders of Sandon),1 s.p. suc. bro. 1766.

Offices Held

Lt. R.N. 1734; capt. 1740; r.-adm. 1755; v.-adm. 1758.

Biography

Cotes was returned for Great Bedwyn after a contest, on Lord Bruce’s interest. He was then commander-in-chief in the West Indies, and probably did not return to England until after peace was declared. His only recorded vote was for the reduction of the land tax; and he seems in general to have supported all administrations. He died 16 July 1767.

Ref Volumes: 1754-1790

Author: John Brooke

Notes

• 1. Nathaniel Ryder’s diary, 13 Feb. 1767, Harrowby mss.