Edmund Thomas (Parliamentarian) facts for kids
Edmund Thomas (1633–1677) was a Welsh politician who lived a long time ago. He was a supporter of the Parliament during the English Civil War and the time after, known as the Interregnum. He even served in the House of Commons, which is like a part of today's government.
Life and Times
In 1654, Edmund Thomas was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Glamorgan. This was for the First Protectorate Parliament. He was elected again in 1656 for the Second Protectorate Parliament.
On December 10, 1657, something big happened. Edmund Thomas became one of only three Welsh men to join Oliver Cromwell's special "Upper House." This was a bit like a powerful council at the time. The other two Welsh members were Philip Jones and John Jones.
Edmund Thomas had strong family ties to important people. He was connected to General Edmund Ludlow, and the brothers William Strickland and Walter Strickland. All of them were also members of Cromwell's Upper House. Edmund Thomas even attended Cromwell's funeral, showing his importance.
In 1659, he was put in charge of the local army, called the Militia, in Glamorgan, Brecon, and Radnor. He also bought a lot of land in places like Wenvoe, St Andrews, and Llandow. In 1664, he became the High Sheriff of Glamorgan. This was an important local official role.
Edmund Thomas passed away in 1677 and was buried in Wenvoe.
His Family Connections
Edmund Thomas came from a family that had lived in Wenvoe for many years. His family adopted the name Thomas after an ancestor married a woman named Catherine, who was the only heir to the Thomas family of Wenvoe Castle.
Edmund Thomas was the only son of William Thomas and Jane Stradling. He married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Morgan. Later, he married Mary Lewis in Wenvoe on August 1, 1671.
His son, William Thomas, married Mary, the daughter of Philip, Lord Wharton. They had two children, Edmund and Anna. Sadly, William Thomas died in 1677, and his wife Mary inherited the family estates. Their two children also passed away young. When Mary died in 1699, the estates went to Edmund Thomas's older sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth had first married Edmund Ludlow. After Ludlow died, the estates returned to the Thomas family when Elizabeth married her distant cousin, Sir John Thomas, 1st Baronet.
See also
- Thomas Baronetcy, of Wenvoe
