Thomas Gorges (Maine governor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Gorges
|
|
|---|---|
| Deputy governor of Maine | |
| In office 1640–1643 |
|
| Preceded by | Sir Ferdinando Gorges |
| Succeeded by | Richard Vines |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1618 |
| Died | 17 October 1670 (aged 51–52) Heavitree, Exeter, England |
| Spouses |
Rose Mallock
(m. 1658) |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician, and governor |
| Signature | .png) |
Thomas Gorges (1618 – 17 October 1670) was an important English lawyer and politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, from 1654 to 1660. He also served as a governor in the Province of Maine in America from 1640 to 1643. During the English Civil War, he was an officer in the Parliamentary Army.
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Early Life of Thomas Gorges
Thomas Gorges was born in 1618. His parents were Henry Gorges and Barbara Baynard. He grew up in Somerset, England. In 1638, he began studying law at Lincoln's Inn, a famous place for training lawyers in London.
Governor of Maine
In 1640, Thomas Gorges was chosen to be the deputy governor of the Province of Maine. This area is now part of the state of Maine in the United States. He was picked by his distant relative, Sir Ferdinando Gorges.
At that time, Maine had only a few small towns. Thomas Gorges was a Puritan, a type of Christian. He made friends with the nearby Massachusetts Bay Colony. Their governor, John Winthrop, said Gorges was "sober and well-disposed."
Thomas Gorges did a great job setting up a stable government in Maine. This was something another relative, William, had struggled with earlier. However, Gorges' time as governor was short. He left Maine in 1643 to join the English Civil War back in England. Later, the Massachusetts Bay Colony took over Maine.
Career in England
When Thomas Gorges returned to England, he supported the Parliament in the English Civil War. This group was also known as the Roundheads. He finished his law studies and became a lawyer in 1649.
After his father passed away in 1649, Thomas became a justice of the peace. This meant he helped keep law and order in his local area. By 1650, he was a lieutenant colonel in the cavalry, which is a part of the army that rides horses.
In 1654, he was elected to the House of Commons for the town of Taunton. This was during the time of the First Protectorate Parliament. He helped raise money and supplies in Somerset to support Oliver Cromwell's war with Spain.
By 1655, he became the recorder of Taunton. This was an important legal job in the town. He was re-elected as a Member of Parliament for Taunton in 1656 and again in 1659. He was also elected in 1660 for the Convention Parliament.
In 1662, he lost his job as recorder when the government changed. Thomas Gorges passed away at his home in Heavitree, Exeter, England, when he was about 52 years old. He was buried in the local church.
Family Life
Thomas Gorges was married twice. His first wife was Mary Sanford. They had three sons and one daughter together.
His second wife was Rose Mallock. They married on March 23, 1658. Rose was the daughter of Sir Jerome Alexander, a judge in Ireland. Thomas and Rose had one son and one daughter. Rose passed away on April 14, 1671.
Images for kids
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Thomas Gorges' signature
