Thomas Beecher facts for kids
Thomas Becher (born in 1640, died October 10, 1709) was an important Irish figure. He was a soldier and a politician. You might see his last name spelled "Becher" or "Beecher." This happened because of how people said his name long ago.
Early Life and Education
Thomas Becher was born in a place called Baltimore, County Cork, in Ireland. His father was Major Henry Becher. His mother was Elizabeth. Thomas came from a well-known family. His grandfather, also named Henry, was a very important leader called the Lord President of Munster. Thomas Becher went to Trinity College, Dublin, which is a famous university. He finished his studies there in 1658.
A Busy Career in Ireland
Thomas Becher had a very active career. In 1665, he became a Justice of the Peace. This meant he was a local official who helped keep law and order in County Cork.
He was also a soldier. In 1690, he fought in a very important battle called the Battle of the Boyne. He was a special helper, called an aide-de-camp, for William of Orange. William later became King. As a reward for his service, King William gave Thomas Becher a special watch.
In 1692, Thomas Becher was made the Governor of Sherkin Island. Later that same year, he became a member of the Irish House of Commons. This was like being a representative in the government. He represented his hometown, Baltimore. He stayed in this role until he passed away in 1709. While in Parliament, he supported a leader named Henry Capell.
Family and Lasting Impact
In 1665, Thomas Becher married Elizabeth Turner. They had a large family with fifteen children! They had nine sons and six daughters. Thomas Becher died in 1709. He was buried at St Matthew's Church in Aughadown. His wife Elizabeth passed away around 1720.
One of his sons, Michael, also became a politician. He represented the same area in the Irish Parliament as his father.
Some of Thomas Becher's old letters are still kept safe today at the Bristol Archives. His family continued to be important. For example, John Thomas Becher (1769–1848) was a social reformer. He was also a friend of the famous poet Lord Byron. Another descendant, Anne Becher (1792–1864), was the mother of the well-known writer William Makepeace Thackeray.
