John Heath (later John Duke)

John Heath (later John Duke) (c. 1717–1775), of Gittisham, near Honiton, Devon, was an English politician.

He was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of Great Britain for Honiton 1747–1754 and 1761–1768.[1][2]

Heath's Name Act 1750
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act to enable John Heath Esquire, and his Heirs Male, to take and use the Surname and Arms of Duke, according to the Direction of the last Will and Testament of Richard Duke Esquire, deceased.
Citation24 Geo. 2. c. 3 Pr.
Dates
Royal assent12 March 1751

He changed his surname from Heath to Duke by a private act of Parliament, Heath's Name Act 1750 (24 Geo. 2. c. 3 Pr.), as a condition of the will of his uncle Richard Duke (Richard VII Duke),[3] at which point he inherited the Manor of Otterton in Devon.

He died on 3 November 1775[4] without any children, and the Duke estates passed to Robert Duke of Otterton, another nephew of Richard Duke.

References

  1. ^ "HEATH (Afterwards DUKE), John (C.1717-75), of Gittisham, nr. Honiton, Devon. | History of Parliament Online".
  2. ^ "DUKE (Formerly HEATH), John (?1717-75), of Otterton, Devon | History of Parliament Online".
  3. ^ Deed Poll Office: Private Act of Parliament 1750 (24 Geo. 2). c. 3
  4. ^ "HEATH (Afterwards DUKE), John (C.1717-75), of Gittisham, nr. Honiton, Devon. | History of Parliament Online".