GREATHEAD, Samuel (?1710-65), of Guy’s Cliffe, Warws.

In 1747 Samuel Greathead (or Greatheed), a wealthy West Indian who had settled near Warwick, was returned for Coventry as a government supporter on the interest of Lord Archer. In 1753 he fell foul of Archer, who accused him of attempting to undermine him at Coventry, ‘and also to disturb the Whig interest at Warwick, upon which Lord Hillsborough and my brother are chosen’. Through Pelham’s mediation, a reconciliation was brought about,Ld. Archer to Pelham, 11 June, Greathead to Pelham, 6 Aug. 1753, Newcastle (Clumber) mss. as a result of which Greathead headed the poll at Coventry in 1754. He died 2 Aug. 1765.