BOWES, George (1701-60), of Streatlam Castle, co. Dur.

Bowes was one of the largest coal owners in Durham, and with the Wortleys and Liddells founded the ‘Grand Alliance’, a cartel which dominated the north country coal trade throughout the century.E. Hughes, N. Country Life in 18th Cent. 235-6.

In Parliament the interests of the coal trade, vital to county Durham, were with him a dominant concern. Returned unopposed in 1754, he was classed by Dupplin as an Opposition Whig. During the debates on the Oxfordshire election petitions he spoke on the Tory side;R. J. Robson, Oxfordshire Election of 1754, p. 139. and at least one other speech of his in this Parliament is reported: 3 Mar. 1756, on the plate bill.Newdigate ms. B2549.

He died 17 Sept. 1760, leaving a fortune estimated at £600,000.