Family and Education

b. c.1695, 1st s. of William East of the Manor House, Kennington, and the M. Temple by Elizabeth, da. of Jeremy Gough of London. educ. King’s, Camb. 1714; M. Temple 1714. m. 30 Apr. 1724, Anne, da. of Sir George Cooke of Harefield, Mdx., chief prothonotary of court of common pleas, sis. of George Cooke, 1s. 2da. suc. fa. 1726.

Offices Held

Commr. for wine licences 1719-27.

Biography

The son of a wealthy barrister, belonging to a prominent city of London family connected with the wine trade, East was appointed commissioner for wine licences under George I. Sir Philip Parker, wrote to Walpole, 7 Aug. 1727:

My brother [-in-law] East, whom I took the liberty to recommend to your interest for to be in Parliament, informs me that Mr. Gibson assures him of a certainty of his being elected at Marlborough in case he will comply with the demands of the electors, which he has agreed to in case you will please to permit him to resign his commissioner’s place in the wine licence office to his brother, Mr. Gilbert East, who is a gentleman zealous for your Administration and every way qualified for the place.1

Permission was granted but the Marlborough deal fell through. Brought in instead for St. Mawes at a by-election by John Knight, he voted with the Administration on the army in 1732 and on the repeal of the Septennial Act in 1734, when he did not stand. He died 7 Nov. 1737.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. Cholmondeley (Houghton) mss.