Thomas Bacon (politician) facts for kids

Thomas Bacon was an English lawyer and politician who lived in the 1600s. He was a member of the English Parliament twice, once in 1654 and again in 1660. He is also known as the father of Nathaniel Bacon, a famous colonist in Virginia.

Thomas Bacon: A Life in English Politics

Thomas Bacon was born around 1620. He was the son of Nathaniel Bacon and Anne Le Gros. His family lived in Friston, Suffolk, England.

Early Life and Education

Thomas went to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1637. This is a famous university in England. Later, he studied law at Gray's Inn starting in 1640. He became a lawyer in 1651.

Becoming a Politician

In 1654, Thomas Bacon was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Suffolk. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the country's government. He served in the First Protectorate Parliament. In 1660, he was elected again as an MP. This time, he represented Aldeburgh, Suffolk, in the Convention Parliament.

Family Life

Thomas Bacon was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Brooke. Her father was Sir Robert Brooke. Thomas and Elizabeth had a son named Nathaniel Bacon. Nathaniel later became a leader in the American colony of Virginia. He led a big event called Bacon's Rebellion. Thomas and Elizabeth also had a daughter. Elizabeth passed away in 1649.

Thomas then married Martha Reade. She was the daughter of Sir John Reade. Thomas and Martha had another daughter together.

Later Life and Legacy

Thomas Bacon wrote his will in 1695. A will is a legal document that says what should happen to a person's belongings after they pass away. By this time, he had moved to Wandsworth. However, he still owned Alderton Hall Farm in Suffolk. This included a mill and the right to appoint a priest for the Alderton church.

What He Left Behind

Thomas gave Alderton Hall Farm to his granddaughter, Mary Bacon. He also arranged for payments to his other grandchildren. These payments came from the money earned from corn grown in Snape and Friston. His grandson, Thomas, received his collection of books. Mary Bacon received a special item: "my Mother Pearl cabinet, and that therein, which being her Grandmothers is likest to be most valued by her". This special cabinet likely belonged to his first wife, Elizabeth Brooke. Thomas Bacon's will was officially handled in 1699. His grandson Thomas Andrew and his granddaughter Mary Bacon (who married Hugh Chamberlain) were in charge of carrying out his wishes.