Richard Eliot

Richard Eliot
Born	cir 1614 Port Eliot, Cornwall
Died	1660s unknown
Spouse	none
Partner	Catherine Killigrew
Children	George Elliott
Parents	John Eliot and Radigund Ghedy

Richard Eliot (c.1614 - unknown date in 1660s) was the wayward second son of Sir John Eliot (April 11 1592 - November 27 1632) and Rhadigund Geddy (c.1595 - June 1628). Richard went to the University of Oxford at his father's suggestion, but did not fare well with academic life. He became embroiled at Oxford in various difficulties, which are mentioned without further detail in his father's writings. His father's friend, Sir John Hampden, was asked to intervene on behalf of Sir John Eliot who was incarcerated in the Tower at the time. Further problems ensued when Richard failed or refused to visit his father in the Tower. As a result, Richard seems to have disappeared compared to his siblings. It is known that he went to the Low Countries under Sir Edward Howard around February 1632. Richard had died before 1669 when his brothers, John and Edward, argued over the inheritance of Richard's lands in Cornwall. General Granville Elliott (1713 - 1759) spent much time and effort trying to prove that Richard Eliot had married Catherine Killigrew (1618 - 1689), and had a child George Elliott born around 1636. However, documents survive that show that Richard died 'ob cael', i.e. a bachelor, and that, in 1656, Catherine was known as a spinster aged 38. It is likely, however, that George Elliott was the illegitimate son of Richard and Catherine.

References

Most information on Richard is included in articles about his more famous father, viz:

• The Life of Sir J. Eliot, by J Forster (1864)

as supplemented and corrected by

• Gardiner's History of England, vols. v.-vii.,

and the article in the

• Dictionary of National Biography, by the same author.
• Eliot's writings, together with his Letter-Book, have been edited by Dr Grosart.