Family and Education

b. 11 Feb. 1699, 4th s. of Samuel Heathcote of Hackney, and yr. bro. of Sir William Heathcote. m. (1) 3 May 1720, Elizabeth (d. 6 May 1726), da. of Matthew Holworthy of Hackney, s.p.; (2) c.1729, Frances, a Frenchwoman, 4s. 3da.

Offices Held

Biography

On the death of Sir Francis Drake, 4th Bt., leaving an infant heir, his widow brought in her brother, Samuel Heathcote, for the vacancy at Bere Alston. Before the general election of 1741, Drake’s brother, Henry, wrote to Walpole referring to

the indulgence you showed me last winter on my waiting on you soon after my brother Sir Francis Drake’s death, when you was pleased to let me hope your assistance if I found I could retrieve his part of the borough of Bere Alston back into hands that have a natural bent to be entirely devoted to you.

Your momentous affairs may make it necessary, Sir, for me to recall to your remembrance how cruelly I was then made a dupe to the designing and deceitful professions Sir William and Mr. Samuel Heathcote gave me of their faith and friendship. These two gentlemen, as assiduous in grasping at all they can as any of their family, are now, as I have the most cogent reasons to suspect from Sir William’s declining Southampton and from other passages, under-hand endeavouring to engross that borough [Bere Alston] to themselves at the next election. You will find Sir, by casting your eye on the enclosed calculation and the number of votes their sister has the disposal of, if uninterrupted, how easily they may succeed if timely care be not taken by those concerned. You will likewise find by it, what a probability of success my interposing may be attended with if I am honoured with your support.1

Heathcote was re-elected unopposed, steadily supporting the Administration. He was replaced in 1747 by his nephew, Sir Francis Henry Drake, 5th Bt., who by that time had come of age. He did not stand again, and died 31 Mar. 1775.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. Oct. 1740, Cholmondeley (Houghton) mss.