Sir Thomas Pelham, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Thomas Pelham, 1st Baronet (died 2 December 1624) was an important English politician. He lived a long time ago, during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. He was known for his work in government and for holding several important positions in his home county of Sussex.

Who Was Sir Thomas Pelham?

Sir Thomas Pelham was the youngest son of Sir Nicholas Pelham. His family came from a place called Laughton, East Sussex. His mother was Anne Sackville. Interestingly, Anne Sackville was a cousin to Anne Boleyn, who was one of King Henry VIII's wives.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Pelham went to school at Lewes Grammar School in 1557. Later, in 1561, he studied at Queens' College, Cambridge, which is a famous university. He also studied law in 1566, learning about the rules and laws of the country. In 1585, he became the owner of the family estate in Laughton after his nephew, Oliver Pelham, passed away.

A Career in Politics

Sir Thomas Pelham was very involved in the government of his time. He was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected to represent people in the country's main law-making body, which was called the Parliament of England.

Representing His County

He was elected as an MP for Lewes in 1584. Two years later, in 1586, he was elected to represent the larger area of Sussex. This showed that people trusted him to speak for them in Parliament.

Important Roles He Held

Besides being an MP, Sir Thomas held several other important jobs:

• He was a Justice of the Peace for Sussex starting around 1583. A Justice of the Peace was like a local judge, helping to keep order and enforce laws in the community.
• He was appointed High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex for the years 1589–90. A High Sheriff was a very important officer in the county, responsible for law enforcement and carrying out court orders.
• From 1601, he served as a deputy-lieutenant of Sussex. This role meant he helped the main representative of the King or Queen in the county, often dealing with military matters.

Becoming a Baronet

In 1611, Sir Thomas Pelham was given a special title: he was made a baronet. A baronet is a title of honour that can be passed down through the family. He was the first person in his family to receive this title.

Family Life

Sir Thomas Pelham married a woman named Mary. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Walsingham from Chislehurst, Kent. They had a son and a daughter together. Their son, also named Thomas, took over the baronetcy when his father passed away in 1624. Their daughter, Judith, married Henry Carey, who later became the 1st Earl of Dover.

Sir Thomas Pelham passed away on December 2, 1624.