Thomas Bellingham facts for kids

Thomas Bellingham (born in 1646, died on September 15, 1721) was an important figure in Ireland. He was an Anglo-Irish person, meaning he had English roots but lived in Ireland. He was known as both a soldier and a politician.

Thomas Bellingham: Soldier and Politician

Thomas Bellingham was the son of Henry Bellingham and Lucy Sibthorpe. He grew up in Ireland. For his education, he first attended the cathedral school at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Later, on February 16, 1660, he went on to study at Trinity College Dublin, which is a famous university.

A Time of War and Change

Thomas Bellingham became involved in public service early in his life. In 1684, he was chosen to be the High Sheriff of Louth. A High Sheriff was a very important local official, responsible for keeping peace and order in the county.

The Glorious Revolution

A big event happened in 1688, known as the Glorious Revolution. This was a time of major political change in England and Ireland. Because of these changes, Bellingham had to leave Ireland for a while. He went to live with his relatives in a town called Preston, Lancashire in England. During this time, in 1690, his family home at Castlebellingham was sadly burned down by a group called the Jacobites. The Jacobites supported the old king who had been removed from power.

Helping King William

Thomas Bellingham returned to Ireland in May 1690. He came back as a colonel, which is a high-ranking officer, in the army of William III of England. King William was the new ruler. Bellingham became an aide to King William. This meant he helped the King directly. His knowledge of the countryside around Louth was very helpful before a major battle called the Battle of the Boyne. His local knowledge helped King William's army get ready for the fight. After this, he was again appointed High Sheriff of Louth in 1690.

Becoming a Politician

After the fighting ended in the Williamite War in Ireland, Thomas Bellingham continued his public service. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for County Louth. A Member of Parliament helps make laws and represent the people in government. He served in the Irish House of Commons, which was like the parliament for Ireland at that time. He was an MP for many years, from 1692 to 1713.

Rebuilding and His Diary

In the 1690s, Thomas Bellingham worked to rebuild his family home, Bellingham Castle. He rebuilt it in a style popular in the Netherlands at the time. He also kept a special diary during his time as a soldier. This diary covered the period from August 28, 1689, to September 12, 1690. It was later edited and published in 1908 by Anthony Hewitson. The book was called Diary of Thomas Bellingham, an officer under William III. It gives us a look into what life was like during those important historical events.