Sir Thomas Wheate, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Thomas Wheate, 1st Baronet (born September 6, 1667 – died August 25, 1721) was an important English landowner. He lived at Glympton Park in Oxfordshire. Sir Thomas was also a politician who served in the English and British Parliament from 1695 to 1721. He was part of the Whig political group.

His Early Years

Thomas Wheate was born in 1667. He was the only son of Thomas Wheate, who owned Glympton Park. His mother was Frances Jenkinson. When he was just one year old in 1668, his father passed away. Thomas then inherited Glympton Park. He married Anne Sawbridge in 1687. Her father, George Sawbridge, was a bookseller in London.

His Political Journey

Sir Thomas Wheate began his public life in 1689. He became a freeman and bailiff of Oxford. He also worked as a Gentleman of the Privy Chamber until 1702.

In 1690, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Woodstock. This means he represented the people of Woodstock in the English Parliament. He was a Whig, which was a political group that supported the King. He faced a tough election in 1695 and decided not to run that year.

In 1696, he was given the special title of Baronet. This is a hereditary title, like a knight, but it can be passed down in the family. He also served as the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire for a year. Over the next few years, he tried to get back into Parliament but did not succeed.

Working with the Duke of Marlborough

A big change happened for Sir Thomas in 1705. Queen Anne gave the land of Woodstock to the Duke of Marlborough. This was good news for Sir Thomas. Stone from his quarries at Glympton was used to build the famous Blenheim Palace.

Because of this, Sir Thomas became good friends with the Duke of Marlborough. The Duke was also a Whig, like Sir Thomas. This made Sir Thomas one of the most important Whigs in the area. The Duke helped him get elected again for Woodstock in 1708.

Sir Thomas voted on some important issues in Parliament. He supported helping refugees from Palatine in 1709. He also voted to investigate Dr. Sacheverell in 1710. He was re-elected in 1710 and voted on other important laws.

When the Duke of Marlborough was away from 1712, Sir Thomas looked after the Duke's political interests in Woodstock. He even helped supervise the repaving of the town. He was re-elected for Woodstock in 1713 and again in 1715. He always voted with the government. In 1717, he became the Storekeeper of the Ordnance, a job he held until he died.

His Later Years and Family

Sir Thomas Wheate passed away at Glympton on August 25, 1721. He was buried at Glympton church. His wife, Anne, had passed away before him in 1719. His oldest son, Thomas Wheate, inherited his title and estate.