Croftes, Richard (1740 -1783)

Richard Croftes, of Little Saxham, Suffolk, and West Harling in Norfolk, was the eldest son of William Croftes Esq, of Little Saxham, and Mary, daughter and coheir of Sir Matthew Decker Bart. He was educated at Eton and St John's College, Cambridge, where he was admitted 3 July 1758, matriculated Lent 1761, and received his M.A. (Lit. Reg.) the same year. He was Member of Parliament for Petersfield 1767 1768, for Downton 1768 1771, and for Cambridge University 1771 1780. He married, 11 February 1773, Harriet, daughter and coheir of John Darell of York Street, St James, and they had an only daughter and heiress, Harriet, who married, 6 August 1793, Sir John Saunders Sebright, 7th Baronet of Besford in Worcestershire. Sir John sold duplicates and a large part of his library in a mixed sale at Leigh & S. Sotheby 6 April 1807. This probably included books from his father in law's collection.