Henry Bellingham (Irish politician) facts for kids
Henry Bellingham was an important person in Ireland who lived a long time ago. He was a soldier, owned land, and worked in politics. He passed away in 1676.
Who Was Henry Bellingham?
Henry was the younger son of Robert Bellingham and Margaret Whyte. His father, Robert, was a lawyer who worked in the Court of Exchequer. This was like a special court for money matters in Ireland. Henry's older brother was Sir Daniel Bellingham, 1st Baronet.
A Soldier's Journey
Henry Bellingham started his career as an army officer in Ireland during the 1640s. In 1643, he signed a letter, mostly from soldiers, to Charles I of England, who was the king at that time.
By 1648, Henry changed his support to the Commonwealth. This was the government that ruled England after the king was overthrown. He became a lieutenant in the army led by Michael Jones.
Henry also took part in the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. This was when Oliver Cromwell's army took control of Ireland. Henry was a cornet, which was a junior officer, in a cavalry group led by John Hewson.
In 1653, Henry left the army. He was given land in County Louth as payment for his service. This land later became known as Castlebellingham.
Life as a Public Servant
Henry Bellingham held many important jobs. In 1654, he was the High Sheriff of Kildare. A High Sheriff was a top official in a county, responsible for law and order.
During the 1650s, Henry became very influential in County Louth. He worked as a revenue commissioner in 1654 and 1657. This meant he helped collect taxes and money for the government.
He was also part of a group that looked into how parishes (local church areas) were organized in 1658. He helped with a survey of land in the county. From 1659 to 1662, he was a captain in a local defense group called a militia.
In 1660, Henry represented Louth in the Irish Convention. This was a special meeting to decide how Ireland would be governed. In 1661, he was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for County Louth. This meant he helped make laws for Ireland.
Henry also worked as a poll tax commissioner in 1660 and 1661. A poll tax was a tax that everyone had to pay. In 1662, he helped set up new land ownership rules. In 1664, he helped assess hearth money, which was a tax on fireplaces.
His ownership of land in Louth was officially confirmed in the Act of Settlement 1662. This law helped sort out who owned land after the wars. In 1671, he became the High Sheriff of Louth.
Family Life
Henry Bellingham married a woman named Lucy Sibthorpe. They had one son together, who was also a politician named Thomas Bellingham.
