Jerome WESTON, HIGH SHERIFF OF ESSEX

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      Richard Weston, 1st Earl of Portland KG (Roxwell, Essex, 1577  March 13, 1634/1635), was the eldest son and heir of Sir Hierome Weston, High Sheriff of Essex, and the former Mary Cave.During the reign of King James I of England, Richard was sent on embassies to Bohemia, Brussels, and Spain. On the last assignment, he negotiated for the restitution of the Palatine. Upon his return to England, Richard was made Chancellor of the Exchequer of England. He was elevated to the peerage on April 13, 1628, as Baron Weston, of Neyland. He was subsequently made Lord Treasurer of England and invested with the Order of the Garter. On February 17, 1633, Sir Richard was created Earl of Portland. His lordship was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Pinchon of Writtle in Essex. His second wife was Frances Walgrave of Boreley in Essex. He had three children by his first marriage, and eight by his second. His nephew, Jeremiah Clarke, became a Governor of Rhode Island in the American colonies.On his death, he was succeeded by his second but eldest surviving son, Jerome Weston, 2nd Earl of Portland.