Graffin Prankard, a Quaker merchant, carried on his trade in eighteenth-century Bristol. Trading largely in iron, his ships travelled to both American and European ports.
King William having appointed William Selwyn to be the governor of the island of Jamaica, he died soon after his arrival. The council of the island then elected Peter Beckford, Esq., to act as lieutenant-governor in Mr. Selwyn's room, and he governed the island at King William's death in 1702, and also proclaimed Queen Anne. He was president of the council and commander-in-chief of the army. Besides distinguishing himself against the French, his great opulence gained him a superiority over most of the planters. T. Handasyd, Esq., was sent out from England as lieutenant-governor soon afterwards. Mr. Beckford died suddenly, in a fit of passion, in 1710, and left behind him two sons, Peter, the elder son, Speaker of the House of Assembly for the island, and Thomas. He was twice married. Source: http://beckford.c18.net/wbredding1-1.html
Field Marshall Sir Stapleton Stapleton-Cotton 1st Viscount Combermere of Bhurtpore
"Field Marshal Sir Stapleton Stapleton-Cotton, 1st Viscount Combermere of Bhurtpore was baptised with the name of Stapleton Cotton.1 He was educated at Westminster College, Westminster, London, England.1 He gained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in 1790 in the service of the 23rd Regiment (Welsh Fusiliers).1 He gained the rank of Lieutenant in 1791.1 He gained the rank of Captain in 1793 in the service of the 6th Dragoon Guards.1 He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1794 in the service of the 25th Light Dragoons.1 He fought in the Seige of Seringapatam in 1794.1 He gained the rank of Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1800 in the service of the 16th Light Dragoons.1 He gained the rank of Major-General in 1805.1 He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) (Tory) for Newark between 1806 and 1814.1 He fought in the Battle of Talavera in 1809, for which he received the thanks of Parliament.1 He succeeded to the title of 6th Baronet Cotton, of Combermere, co. Chester [E., 1677] on 24 August 1809.1 He fought in the Retreat to Torres Vedras in 1810.1 He was commander of the 1st Division Cavalry in 1810.1 He gained the rank of commander between 1811 and 1814 in the service of the Allied Cavalry, as second-in-command to the Duke of Wellington.1 He was invested as a Knight, Order of the Bath (K.B.) in 1812.1 He fought in the Battle of Salamanca in 1812, where he lead a decisive cavalry charge.1 He gained the rank of Lieutenant-General in 1812.1 He was decorated with the Knight Grand Cross, Order of the St. Ferdinand of Spain.1 He was decorated with the Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Tower and Sword of Portugal in 1813.1 He was decorated with the Knight Grand Cross, Order of Charles III of Spain.1 He was Colonel of the 20th Light Dragoons between 1813 and 1818.1 He was created 1st Baron Combermere, of Combermere, co. Chester [U.K.] on 17 May 1814.1 He was invested as a Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Bath (G.C.B.) in 1815.1 He was commander of the Allied Cavalry occupation of France between 1815 and 1816.1 He was invested as a Knight Grand Cross, Hanoverian Order (G.C.H.) in 1817.1 He held the office of Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Barbados between 1817 and 1820.1 He was Colonel of the 3rd Light Dragoons between 1821 and 1829.1 He held the office of Governor of Sheerness between 1821 and 1852.1 He was Commander-in-Chief of the Ireland between 1822 and 1825.1 He was Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies in 1825.1 He gained the rank of General in 1825.1 In February 1827 he also received a grant of £2,000 p.a. to be continued to his two successors in the title.1 He was created 1st Viscount Combermere of Bhurtpore [U.K.] on 8 February 1827.1 On 21 November 1827 his name was legally changed to Stapleton Stapleton-Cotton by Royal Liicence.1 He held the office of Gold Stick between 1829 and 1865.1 He was Colonel of the 1st Life Guards between 1829 and 1865.1 He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (P.C.) in 1834.1 He held the office of Constable of the Tower of London.1 He held the office of Lord-Lieutenant of the Tower Hamlets between 1852 and 1865.1 He gained the rank of Field Marshal in 1855.1 He was invested as a Knight Commander, Order of the Star of India (K.C.S.I.) in 1861." Source: www.thepeerage.com; http://www.thepeerage.com/p2901.htm#i29010
Emigrated to Canada in 1906. Had two sons born in Canada.