ELTON, Sir Abraham, 1st Bt. (1654-1728), of Clevedon Court and Whitestaunton, Som.

A Dissenter of humble origin, the son of a market-gardener,J. Latimer, Annals of Bristol in 18th cent., 162. Elton became one of the greatest commercial magnates of Bristol, ‘a pioneer of its brass foundries and iron foundries, and ... owner of its principal weaving industry, as well as of its glass and pottery works, besides largely contributing to the shipping of the port.’GEC Baronetage, v. 41. Buying Clevedon Court in 1709 and Whitestaunton in 1714, he was created a baronet in 1717 in reward for his services in the rebellion of 1715. He sat as a Whig for his native city from 1722 to 1727, when he stood down in favour of his son. He died 9 Feb. 1728, leaving a fortune estimated at £100,000.Latimer, loc. cit.