Lord George Sackville was born on January 26th, 1715, and assumed the surname of Germaine, in compliance with Lady Elizabeth Germaine's will, by which he inherited a considerable fortune, in 1770. Long before this time he had acquired a world-wide reputation in consequence of his trial, at his own request, for disobedience to orders at the battle of Minden, fought on August 1st, 1759. Though his career as a soldier was thus cut short, he afterwards rendered great services to his country as a politician. He filled some of the highest offices in the State, being for many years Secretary for the American department prior to the war of Independence. He was elevated to the Peerage on February 11th, 1782, as Baron Bolebrook and Viscount Sackville and died October 10th, 1795. He lived at Stoneland Lodge, Sussex, and was the owner of much of the Sackville property situate within the Borough. He was returned as Member of Parliament for East Grinstead in 1768, 1774 and 1775.