Sir Henry Thompson, 3rd Baronet facts for kids

Sir Henry Thompson (born November 5, 1796 – died July 1, 1868) was an important person in his time. He was a clergyman, which means he worked for the church. He also held a special family title called a Baronet. This title was passed down in his family. Sir Henry was the third son of Sir Charles Thompson, 1st Baronet and Jane Selby.

Becoming a Baronet

Sir Henry became the 3rd Baronet Thompson of Virkees after his older brother, Sir Norborne Thompson, 2nd Baronet, passed away in 1826. His brother did not have any children, so the title went to Sir Henry. A Baronet is a hereditary title, like a knight, but it can be passed down through the family.

His Family Life

First Marriage

On February 26, 1826, Sir Henry married Hannah Jean Grey. She was the third daughter of Sir George Grey, 1st Baronet. Sir George Grey was also a very important person, working for the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Dockyard. Hannah Jean's grandfather was Samuel Whitbread, a well-known brewer and politician. Her uncle was Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who was a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Sir Henry and Hannah Jean had one daughter named Hannah Jane Thompson (1829–1899). She was born in Ryde, on the Isle of Wight. Sadly, Hannah Jean died shortly after her daughter was born.

In 1847, his daughter Hannah Jane married Henry Thomas Murdoch Kirby. He was a vicar, which is another type of church leader, in Mayfield, Sussex. They had twelve children! One of their children was Admiral Francis George Kirby (1854–1951), who became a Captain in the Royal Navy. He commanded a ship called HMS Phaeton.

Second Marriage

In October 1835, Sir Henry married again. His second wife was Miss Emily Frances Anne Leeke. She was the daughter of Ralph Leeke from Longford Hall in Shropshire. They were married in Brighton.

Sir Henry and Emily had four children together:

• Frances Anna (born 1837)
• Henry Charles (born 1843)
• Ralph Harvey (1846–1846)
• Caroline Eleanor (1848–1900)

His Work in the Church

Sir Henry dedicated his life to the church. He held several important positions:

• He was the Curate in charge at Holy Trinity Church, Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight. A curate is a priest who helps the main priest.
• He was the Rector of the Church of Holy Trinity in Fareham, Hampshire. A rector is the main priest of a parish. Sir Henry and his mother, Lady Jane Thompson, actually paid for the building of this church!
• In 1845, he was given the position of leading the church in Frant, Sussex, by the Earl of Abergavenny.

Sir Henry passed away in Chichester in 1868. He was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Fareham, the church he helped build.

The End of the Baronetcy

Sir Henry did not have any sons who lived long enough to inherit his title. Because of this, the Baronetcy of Thompson of Virkees ended when he died in 1868.