Jacob Wilkinson

Jacob Wilkinson (c. 1722-1799) was an English businessman who served as an MP and as a director of the East India Company.

[2] He retained links with his birthplace, where in 1765 he was mentioned as a political opponent of Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland's supporters and in the general election of 1774 came top of the poll, becoming MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed in the Parliament of Great Britain.

However, when the government in 1783 proposed greater parliamentary control over the activities of the Company, Wilkinson resigned his directorship.

The inscription reads, "Here lie the Remains of JACOB WILKINSON Esq Late of Grove Mill in this Parish, and an Old and Respectable Merchant of the City of London.

He departed this life... on the 24th June 1799, Aged 76 Years..." (History of Hertfordshire, Vol 3 - Cussans, 1881) With his wife Ann, who survived him, he had ten children between 1761 and 1779.