William Cotton

There was a Ralph Cotton of Alkington, who married Jane Smith of Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire (daughter of one John Smith – unhelpfully) in the middle of the Sixteenth century. They had eleven children (Alan, Joan, Roger, Catherine, John, Ellen, unknown name, Margaret, Alice, William, and Eleanor), of whom the eldest was born in 1558, and became Sir Allan Cotton.

The (Almost) Complete Cotton Family Tree, Combermere Abbey

1616. Sir Allan Cotton. Brother of William Cotton (Alderman 1607), and father of John Cotton (Alderman 1649).

Notes on the aldermen, 1502-1700, BritishHistory.ac.uk

• 1607, June 4
  
• William Cotton, Draper
  
• Dowgate, 1607
  
• vice Hampson
  

Died c July, 1607; Will [P.C.C. 27 Windebank] June 25, 1607; proved April 27, 1608.

Chronological list of aldermen: 1601-1650, BritishHistory.ac.uk