George Heathcote

George Heathcote (7 December 1700 – 7 June 1768) was an English merchant and philanthropist and Tory politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1727 to 1747.

[2] He was an opponent of Robert Walpole's government ministry and a follower of William Wyndham's opposition Tory party.

After the death of Dr. Bray in 1730, the Associates petitioned to create a new colony for relief of debtors, among other purposes.

In 1732, the Associates were granted a royal charter founding the Trustees for the Establishment of the Colony of Georgia in America.

Heathcote was a member of the Masonic Lodge at the Rummer Tavern, Charing Cross and was known as the wealthiest commoner in England when he died in 1768 aged 67.