Thomas Dunk facts for kids

Sir Thomas Dunk (died 1718) was an English businessman who sold iron goods. He was also a kind person who gave money and help to others, known as a benefactor. In 1711, he was chosen to be the Sheriff of London, a very important role in the city. He worked with the Mayor of London, Sir Richard Hoare, who was also a famous banker.

Early Life and Family Business

Thomas Dunk lived in a place called Tongs, in the village of Hawkhurst in Kent, England. His family was well-known for being 'great clothiers,' which means they made and sold a lot of cloth. For hundreds of years, his family earned their wealth from making textiles. Over time, they also started making iron. The forests around Hawkhurst were important because they provided wood. This wood was used to heat furnaces and melt iron from local rocks.

Sir Thomas Dunk's Generosity

Thomas Dunk was very generous. In his will, which is a legal document stating what happens to a person's money and property after they die, he made sure to help the people of Hawkhurst. He left money to build six almshouses. These were special homes for people who needed a place to live, often those who were elderly or poor. He also provided money to create a school for twenty boys and a house for the school master. This shows he cared deeply about education and helping his community.

Family and Legacy

In 1704, Thomas Dunk married Cornelia Palmer. She was born in 1668 and passed away in 1717. Cornelia was the daughter of Ralph Palmer and Alice White. She was also the sister-in-law of John Verney, 1st Viscount Fermanagh. Thomas and Cornelia did not have any children who survived them.

William Richards and the Dunk Name

In his will, Thomas Dunk named William Richards (1690–1733) as the person who would manage his estate. It is thought that William was Thomas's son. Thomas left William his property in Chieveley, Berkshire. However, there was a special condition: William and his future family members had to take on the name and family symbol (called "arms") of Dunk. This way, the Dunk name would continue.

The Montagu-Dunk Connection

William Richards had a daughter named Anne Richards (1726–1753). Her mother was Ann Davis (1704–1727), who was the oldest daughter of John and Elizabeth Davis from Hawkhurst. In 1741, Anne Richards married George Montagu, who was the 2nd Earl of Halifax. When they married, George Montagu also took the name Dunk. He then became known as George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax. This further continued the Dunk name through marriage.

Tongswood and Saint Ronan's School

Lord Halifax, who was now George Montagu-Dunk, made an agreement about Tongs wood. He leased it to Jeremiah Curteis of Rye for a very long time – one thousand years – for a small yearly payment of six pence. Jeremiah Curteis was known as one of the leaders of a famous group of smugglers called The Hawkhurst Gang.

Later, in 1945, Thomas Dunk's former estate, known as Tongswood, was bought. In 1958, it was placed into a special trust. This trust made sure that Tongswood would be used by Saint Ronan's School. Today, the school uses the historic property that was once home to Sir Thomas Dunk.