Thomas Holt (Serjeant-at-Law) facts for kids

Sir Thomas Holt (born 1616 – died 1686) was an English lawyer and politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is a very important part of the English government, in 1654 and 1656.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Holt was born in 1616. His father was Rowland Holt, a merchant from London. His mother was Mary Bucknor.

When he was 16, Thomas started studying at Magdalen Hall, Oxford University in 1632. He later studied law at Gray's Inn, which is a famous place where lawyers are trained. He officially became a lawyer in 1648.

A Career in Law and Politics

After becoming a lawyer, Thomas Holt took on important roles. He became the recorder of Abingdon. A recorder was a judge who helped run the local court.

In 1654, the people of Abingdon chose him to be their Member of Parliament. This meant he represented Abingdon in the First Protectorate Parliament. He was chosen again in 1656 for the Second Protectorate Parliament.

Holt also served as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Berkshire. A J.P. was a local official who helped keep peace and order. In 1671, he became a senior member at Gray's Inn. He was then appointed a serjeant-at-law in 1677, which was a very high rank for a lawyer.

In 1679, he was given the title of Sir Thomas Holt, meaning he was knighted. This was a special honor from the King. In 1686, he became the King's Serjeant, an even more important legal role.

Family Life

Sir Thomas Holt married a woman named Susan Peacock. Her father was John Peacock from Cumnor, Berkshire.

They had several children together. Their son, John, grew up to become a very famous judge called the Lord Chief Justice. They also had another son named Rowland. Their daughter Mary married Edward Leman, and their daughter Susan married Francis Levett.

Sir Thomas Holt passed away in 1686 when he was 70 years old. He was buried in a church called St. James's, Clerkenwell.