GRATWICK, Francis (d.1670), of Tortington, Suss.

Gratwick came from a family which was widespread among the Sussex yeomanry in the 16th century. Its fortunes were made by the exertions of Roger Gratwick, ironmaster to Queen Elizabeth, who bought Tortington in 1587. Gratwick’s grandfather acquired an interest in Seaford by purchasing the manor, and his uncle, another Roger, who served in the parliamentary army and sat for Hastings from 1645 to 1653, was four times bailiff of Seaford. Gratwick defeated Robert Morley at a by-election in 1670, being returned by the mayor, jurats and freemen only, but may never have taken his seat. He died between 28 June, when he signed his will, and 15 Aug. when it was proved. After his death his election was declared void, and his nephew and heir, Oliver Weekes, sold the Seaford property, though a great-nephew, Carew Weekes, came in for Arundel in 1701.2Suss. Arch. Colls. lx. 34-43; E. Straker, Wealden Iron, 460; D. Underdown, Pride’s Purge, 392-3.