Sir Francis Drake, 4th Baronet

Sir Francis Henry Drake, 4th Baronet (1694–1740) of Buckland Abbey, Devon was a British landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1715 to 1740.

Buckland Abbey tower
Nutwell Court before 1800

Early life

Drake was the eldest surviving son of Sir Francis Drake, 3rd Baronet and his third wife. Elizabeth Pollexfen, daughter of Sir Henry Pollexfen of Nutwell Court, Devon, and was baptized on 2 March 1694.[1] He was educated privately. Drake's father died in January 1718 and he succeeded to the baronetcy and the heavily encumbered estate. He made a financially advantageous marriage to Anne Heathcote, daughter of Samuel Heathcote merchant of Clapton House, Hackney, Middlesex on 29 September 1720 and was able to pay off the debts with his wife's money. She was the sister of Sir William Heathcote, 1st Baronet. He succeeded his uncle Henry Pollexfen to the estate of Nutwell Court in 1732.[2]

Career

At the 1715 general election Drake was returned as Member of Parliament for Tavistock jointly on his own and the Bedford interest. He was returned unopposed at Tavistock in 1722 and 1727. He was also returned in 1727 for Bere Alston where the family controlled one seat, but chose to sit for Tavistock. The new Duke of Bedford did not support him at Tavistock at the 1734 general election and he was defeated. However, he was returned for Bere Alston again and took his seat there until his death.[2]

Death and legacy

Drake died of pleuritic fever at his lodgings at Covent Garden on 26 January 1740. Lady Ann Drake was buried at Hackney on 5 November 1768.[1] They had three sons

They also had two daughters

References

Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Sir John Cope, Bt
James Bulteel
Member of Parliament for Tavistock
17151734
With: Sir John Cope, Bt 1715-1728
Sir Humphrey Monoux, Bt 1728-1734
Succeeded by
Hon. Charles Fane
Sidney Meadows
Preceded by
Sir Robert Rich
St John Brodrick
Member of Parliament for Bere Alston
1727
With: Sir John Hobart
Succeeded by
Sir Archer Croft
Lord Walden
Preceded by
Sir Archer Croft
William Morden
Member of Parliament for Bere Alston
1734–1740
With: John Bristow
Succeeded by
Samuel Heathcote
John Bristow
Baronetage of England
Preceded by
Sir Francis Drake, 3rd Baronet
Baronet
(of Buckland)
1718-1740
Succeeded by
Sir Francis Henry Drake, 5th Baronet
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