[3] Richard Perceval in 1616 had sold a great part (£1,200 a year, according to Lodge) of his ancient patrimony, and invested the sum realised in purchases and mortgages in County Cork, thus laying the foundation of the prosperity and property of his family there.

He sat until 1715, when he was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Perceval, of Burton in the County of Cork, with remainder to the heirs male of his father.

In 1722, he was created Viscount Perceval, of Kanturk in the County of Cork, in the Peerage of Ireland, with remainder to his heirs male.

George II approved a charter for the colony in 1732, making Egmont president of the Georgia Trustees.

He actively superintended the colonisation of Georgia, withholding 'neither money, time, nor influence in his ceaseless efforts to advance what he conceived to be the best interests of the province,’ and keeping with his own hand 'A Journal of the Transactions of the Trustees,’ &c., the second and third volumes of which have been printed.

[2] His diary (published by the Historical Manuscripts Commission) is an important source on Parliamentary History in the 1730s and early 1740s.

[2] Lord Egmont died in London in May 1748, aged 64, and was succeeded in the earldom by his eldest and only surviving son John.