Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton, 5th Baronet facts for kids

Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton, 5th Baronet (born around 1739 – died 24 August 1809) was an English politician. He served in the House of Commons, which is like a part of the UK Parliament, from 1780 to 1796.

Early Life and Education

Robert Cotton was the oldest son of Sir Lynch Cotton. He went to school at Westminster School and Shrewsbury School. Later, in 1756, he studied at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, a famous university. He also helped start the Tarporley Hunt Club in 1762, which was a group for people who enjoyed hunting.

Family and Home Life

In 1767, Robert Cotton married Frances Stapleton. She was the daughter of James Russel-Stapleton.

Famous Visitors

In 1774, a famous writer named Samuel Johnson and his friend Hester Thrale visited the Cottons at Llewenli Hall. Frances Cotton found Samuel Johnson interesting, even though he could be a bit rude. She thought he told stories in a special way that everyone, young and old, enjoyed. However, she felt that Mrs. Thrale tried to keep all of Johnson's attention, which annoyed him. Later, the Cottons stopped being friends with Hester Thrale after she married an Italian music teacher in 1784.

Moving Homes

In 1774, Robert Cotton became a Fellow of the Royal Society, a group that promotes science. When his father passed away in 1775, Robert inherited the title of Baronet and the old family home, Lleweni Hall.

Soon after his second son was born, he moved from Lleweni Hall to Combermere Abbey. This was the traditional home for the next person in line to be Baronet. He had to rent out the family's old estate because of some financial difficulties his uncle, Sir Thomas, had caused. Despite this, Sir Robert was known for having a large hunting setup and for being a very generous host to his guests.

Political Career in Parliament

Robert Cotton became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cheshire without anyone running against him in 1780. He was re-elected in 1784 and 1790, again without opposition.

Towards the end of his time in Parliament, he asked the Prime Minister, William Pitt, three times for a job collecting salt taxes in Nantwich. But his requests were ignored. It was a surprise when he decided not to run for Parliament again in 1796. His brother later said it was because of poor health and that Robert had even turned down a special title called a "peerage." However, others at the time believed he was annoyed about not getting the job he wanted.

Later Life and Family Legacy

In his later years, Robert Cotton was a major in the Nantwich volunteers in 1797 and 1803. He had to sell his family's estates in Wales for a large sum of money, about £390,000, because he had spent too much and managed his money poorly. He passed away at the age of 70 on 24 August 1809.

Robert Cotton and his wife Frances had several children:

• Robert-Salusbury (born 1768), who died without having children.
• Stapleton (1773–1865), who became the 6th Baronet and later received the special titles of Viscount and Baron Combermere.
• William (died 1853), who became a priest.
• Lynch, who was a colonel in the army and died in India in 1799.
• Frances (1769–1818), who married Robert Needham, 11th Viscount Kilmorey in 1792.
• Penelope (1770–1786).
• Hester-Maria (died 1845).
• Sophia (died 1838), who married Sir H. M. Mainwaring.