Family and Education

b. c. 1695, 1st s. of John Gould of Woodford, Essex, director and chairman of E.I. Co., by Rachel, da. of Peter Gelsthorp, apothecary of London. m. 21 Aug. 1724, Mary, da. of William Bulkeley of Plaistow, Essex, 2s. suc. uncle, Sir Nathaniel Gould 1728, fa. 1736.

Offices Held

Director, E.I. Co. 1724-35; inspector of outport customs accounts 1736-d.

Biography

John Gould, the son of a wealthy East India merchant, was described in 1715 by the future Sir Dudley Ryder as affecting ‘very much an airy, unthinking brisk manner of behaviour, as much of the rake as possible’, and as

waiting for the girls from the school ... I was ashamed to be seen in his company at church time, lest people, who all take notice of his manner of behaviour in relation to these girls, should take me to be of the same company.1

In 1729 he succeeded his uncle, Sir Nathaniel Gould, at Shoreham, voting consistently with the Administration. On 24 Feb. 1730 he spoke in favour of a bill for prohibiting loans to foreign powers. Standing again in 1734 with Walpole’s support,2 he asked the Duke of Newcastle ‘to write two or three lines intimating you wish me success at Shoreham. It will be of signal service to my interest’,3 but he came bottom of the poll. He then joined with Sir Thomas Prendergast in a petition which Walpole persuaded them to withdraw. In 1736 he succeeded a younger brother in a place worth £400 a year. He died 25 Aug. 1740.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Paula Watson

Notes

• 1. Ryder Diary, 86, 90.
• 2. Undated memo. by 2nd Duke of Richmond, Richmond mss.
• 3. 10 Apr. 1734, Add. 32689, f. 190.