Sir Thomas Gower, 2nd Baronet facts for kids

Sir Thomas Gower, 2nd Baronet (around 1605–1672) was an important English nobleman, a politician, and a knight. He was part of the well-known Leveson-Gower family. Sir Thomas served twice as the High Sheriff of Yorkshire, which was a key local government role. He strongly supported the King's side, known as the Royalist cause, during the English Civil War.

Life and Times

Sir Thomas Gower became a knight at Whitehall on June 24, 1630. After his father, Sir Thomas Gower, 1st Baronet, passed away, he inherited his family's land and the special title of Baronet.

He faced challenges because of his strong loyalty to King Charles I. Sir Thomas was the High Sheriff of Yorkshire twice, first in 1641 and again in 1662. He was with the King when he was famously not allowed into the city of Hull during the early days of the English Civil War.

To help the King, Sir Thomas even started his own group of soldiers called dragoons. These were soldiers who could fight on horseback or on foot. His younger brother, Doyley, was the leader of this group.

After the King was restored to power, a period known as the Restoration, Sir Thomas became a Member of Parliament for Malton. He served in Parliament from 1661 until he died in 1672.

Family Life

Sir Thomas Gower was married two times. His first wife was Elizabeth Howard. She was the daughter of Sir William Howard and the sister of Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Carlisle. Sir Thomas did not have any children with Elizabeth.

His second wife was Frances Leveson. She was the daughter of Sir John Leveson. With Frances, Sir Thomas had two sons, Edward and Sir William Leveson-Gower, 4th Baronet. William later became an ancestor of George Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Marquess of Stafford, a very important person in history. Sir Thomas and Frances also had a daughter named Frances.