William, Ninth Earl of Derby, 1654-1702

William Richard George was the third son of Earl Charles, and succeeded to the title and estate when he was 18 years of age. He was commissioned to the lieutenancies of Lancashire, Cheshire, and five Welsh counties, but although possessing good education and extensive information, he declined to take part in the great affairs of State, and lived the life of a quiet country gentleman. He died on the 6th of November, 1702, at Chester, of which city he was then mayor and chamberlain.

Moore quotes with approbation his memorandum on improving the Island in which he included , inter alia, 'sttle the property of the people' which was to be brought about in the act of Settlement of 1702