in 1768 he purchased the manor of fenstanton in huntingdonshire in east anglia for £13,000 from lord northampton. this came with two manor houses, two villages and 2,668 acres of land. the property stayed in the family until it was sold in lots in 1870s and 1880s. ownership of the property allowed him to stand for and serve as high sheriff of huntingdonshire from 1770 to 1771. he continued to work and travel until his sudden collapse and death on 6 february 1783, on the doorstep of his daughter bridget holland's house, at 6 hertford street, london while returning after a night out at lord coventry's.