By virtue of a special remainder granted to his father he was allowed to inherit the title of the Wilmot baronets of Osmaston.

The couple had four other sons and two daughters[1] Sir Robert was made heir to the estate of General Sir John Cope, a successful veteran the Wars of the Spanish and Austrian Succession who had later fallen into personal misfortune following his defeat commanding the British force at the Battle of Prestonpans.

Sir John also wrote of abusive and malicious treatment by his family members which may have motivated his desire not to leave his property to his children or Cope relatives.

The trustees laid out £1,000 to buy John an army commission and £93.2s.6d for arms, accoutrements and a war horse.

The Master of the Rolls Sir Thomas Sewell disagreed, adjudging the £3,000 to be a gift and made orders for the payment of the remaining £1906.17s.6d