BURTON, Ralph (d.1768), of Hall Bank, Cottingham, Yorks.

Burton was a very close friend of John Calcraft, whose letter-books contain a great number of letters to him; after Burton went out to America in 1755 Calcraft looked after his interests in England and kept him informed of political developments, military affairs and appointments. When at the end of 1757 Abercromby replaced Loudoun in the American command, and went out with ten blanks for appointing colonels, Calcraft attempted, apparently successfully, to secure one for Burton.Add. 17493, ff. 131-2. Burton was in the expedition against Louisbourg in 1758, and the following year served under Wolfe at Quebec. In December 1760 he obtained a regiment on the recommendation of Amherst and through the intervention of Lord Bute.Add. 17495, f. 185. After Burton’s appointment in October 1760 as lieutenant governor of Trois Rivières, Calcraft wrote: ‘I had great hopes of carrying the point of Canada for you and tried my utmost but the Scotch were too powerful and succeeded.’Add. 17496, f. 12.

On 13 Nov. 1763 Calcraft wrote to General Amherst:Ibid. f. 24.

Col. Maunsell gives me such a very melancholy account of Burton’s health that I despair of ever seeing him and am most heartily concerned and affected. I have known and loved him many years and had figured to myself many happy hours of friendship on his return. If the worst happens I must take the liberty to entreat some attention to his family and I will answer your drafts for whatever may be wanted to bring them to England and defray their expenses in America.

Back in England Burton was returned on Calcraft’s interest for Wareham at the general election of 1768, but died on 29 Sept. 1768.