James Cocks (died 1750) facts for kids

James Cocks (born around 1685, died 1750) was an important British lawyer and politician from Reigate, Surrey. He was a member of the Whig political party and served in the House of Commons (part of the British Parliament) for many years, from 1707 to 1747.

James Cocks was the oldest son of Charles Cocks, who was also a Member of Parliament (MP) and a lawyer. His mother was Mary Somers. Mary's brother, Sir John Somers, was a very important judge called the Lord Chancellor. James went to Trinity College, Oxford when he was about 15 years old in May 1700. He later studied law at Middle Temple starting in 1702 and became a lawyer in 1708. When his father passed away in 1727, James took over his family's affairs.

Early Political Career

James Cocks' uncle, Sir John Somers, had a lot of influence in the town of Reigate. This influence helped James get elected. James became a Member of Parliament for Reigate in a special election (called a by-election) on November 29, 1707. He was elected again without anyone running against him in the 1708 British general election.

As an MP, James Cocks supported a law to allow people from a region called Palatine (in Germany) to become British citizens. In 1710, he voted to remove a religious leader, Dr. Henry Sacheverell, from his position. Because of this vote, James lost his seat in the 1710 British general election when many people who supported the other party (the Tories) were elected.

However, James Cocks was elected again for Reigate in the 1713 British general election. He continued to support the Whig party. For example, he voted against removing a writer named Richard Steele from Parliament in 1714.

Years in Parliament

James Cocks was re-elected without opposition in the 1715 British general election. From 1715 to 1719, he usually voted with the government. But in 1719, he disagreed with the government and voted against a law called the Peerage Bill. This bill would have limited the number of new noble titles.

After his uncle Somers died in 1716, the Reigate property and its political influence went to the Jekyll family, who were also related to James. He faced a challenge in the 1722 British general election but still won. He was then re-elected without opposition in 1727 and 1734.

During the time when Robert Walpole was the Prime Minister, James Cocks often voted against the government. In 1741, he gave his only recorded speech in Parliament. He spoke during a discussion about where soldiers should stay when they were not fighting.

James Cocks was re-elected without opposition in the 1741 British general election. However, after Walpole's government fell in 1742, James's name doesn't appear in any more voting records. In 1745, he inherited the Reigate property and its political influence, as well as another estate called Brookmans, after his aunt, Lady Jekyll, passed away. He decided not to run for election in 1747 British general election and instead helped his nephew, Charles Cocks, get elected in his place.

Family Life

In September 1718, James Cocks married Lady Elizabeth Newport. She was the daughter of Richard Newport, 2nd Earl of Bradford. After Lady Elizabeth passed away, James married again in May 1737. His second wife was Anne Berkeley, the daughter of William Berkeley, 4th Baron Berkeley of Stratton.

James Cocks passed away on May 26, 1750. By the time he died, he was a very wealthy man. His son from his first marriage died before him. He left behind one son from his second marriage.