Sir Thomas Harries, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Thomas Harries or Harris, 1st Baronet (1550 – 18 February 1628) was an important English lawyer. He was also a Member of Parliament and was given the special title of Baronet.
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Who Was Sir Thomas Harries?
Sir Thomas Harries was born in 1550. He was the oldest of four sons. His father was John Harries from a place called Cruckton in Shropshire, England. His mother was Eleanor Prowde.
It is thought that Sir Thomas Harries was the person who became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Shrewsbury in 1586. Being an MP meant he helped make laws for the country. There was another person named Thomas Harris around at the same time, which can make it a bit confusing. However, historians believe our Sir Thomas Harries is the correct one.
Early Life and Education
Sir Thomas Harries started his education at Shrewsbury School in 1565. After that, he studied law at two famous places in London: Clement's Inn and Lincoln's Inn. He began studying at Lincoln's Inn in 1575.
In 1583, he officially became a lawyer, which is called being "called to the bar". He worked a lot on legal matters in Shrewsbury. He even helped the town get a new official document called a town charter in 1584. This charter gave the town more rights and rules.
His Time in Parliament
In 1584, Sir Thomas Harries tried to become an MP for Shrewsbury. He ran in the election but did not win that time. He came in third place. However, in 1586, he tried again and won the seat without anyone running against him. This means he became an MP easily that year.
Legal Career and Special Titles
Sir Thomas Harries became a very senior lawyer called a serjeant-at-law in February 1604. He also became a "bencher" at Lincoln's Inn in 1596. A bencher is a senior member of a legal society.
He might also have been a justice of the peace (JP) for Shropshire around 1600 and for Cheshire in 1601. A JP is a local judge who helps keep the peace and deals with minor legal issues.
In 1613, Sir Thomas Harries bought a large estate called Tong Castle. On 12 April 1623, he was given a special title by the King. He became a Baronet, which is a hereditary title, meaning it can be passed down in the family. His full title became Sir Thomas Harries, 1st Baronet, of Tong Castle.
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Family Life
Sir Thomas Harries was married to Eleanor. Her father was Roger Gifford, who was a doctor to Queen Elizabeth I.
Sir Thomas and Eleanor had one son, named Francis, and three daughters. Sadly, Francis and one of their daughters passed away before Sir Thomas did. Because his son Francis died, the Baronet title could not be passed on when Sir Thomas Harries died on 18 February 1628. This meant the title ended with him.
Tong Castle then went to the family of his daughter Elizabeth. She was married to William Pierrepont. Much later, in 1764, the castle was sold to George Durant. Sir Thomas's second daughter, Anne, married a lawyer named John Wilde.
