Thomas Hughan facts for kids

Thomas Hughan (born around 1760 – died October 29, 1811) was a Scottish businessman and politician. He was involved with the West India Dock Company, which handled goods from plantations that used enslaved labor. He also served as a Member of Parliament in the British government.

Early Life and Family

Thomas Hughan was born around 1760 in Burns, a place near Kirkmabreck in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. He was the oldest son of Margaret Hughan and Alexander Hughan, who was a merchant from Creetown. Thomas had a brother named Alexander, who passed away in 1810. His sister, Jane Hughan, married James Dalzell from Armagh.

His Business and Political Work

In the late 1700s, Thomas Hughan spent about 12 years in Jamaica. There, he worked for the West India Dock Company. This company was involved in the business of transporting enslaved people and handling goods from plantations. Around 1797, he moved back to London.

He continued to work for the West India Dock Company. In 1803, he became a Director, and by 1805, he was promoted to Deputy Chairman. He also helped start and became a Director of the Imperial Fire Insurance Company.

Serving in Parliament

Thomas Hughan was elected as a Member of Parliament twice.

• From 1806 to 1807, he represented the area of East Retford.
• From July 25, 1808, to October 29, 1811, he represented Dundalk.

On February 27, 1807, he gave his first speech in the House of Commons. He spoke against a plan to end the trade of enslaved people. He believed that stopping this trade would harm the colonies and the British Empire. He also said that enslaved people in the colonies were very happy, which was a common but untrue belief at the time. He voted against the bill twice, but it still passed. This law, called the Slave Trade Act 1807, made the trade of enslaved people illegal in the British Empire. However, slavery itself was not fully ended until 1833.

In 1810, Thomas Hughan was asked to speak to the Bullion Committee. This committee wanted to ask him questions about the money supply in Jamaica. They also asked about large payments made by the West India Dock Company.

Family Life

While living in London, Thomas Hughan had homes at 8 Billiter Square and 12 Devonshire Place. His home in Scotland was called The Hill, in Luetown, Galloway. On February 1, 1810, he married Jean Milligan. She was the oldest daughter of Robert Milligan, who was also involved in the business of slavery and helped build the West India Docks.

Thomas Hughan had two daughters and one son. His son was named Thomas Hughan (1811–1879). This son later married Lady Louisa Georgiana Beauclerk.

Thomas Hughan passed away after a short illness in Hampstead, London, on October 29, 1811. His son was born just two days after his death. His two daughters, Jane and Margaret, were not yet 21 when he died. This suggests they were likely born in the West Indies. Margaret later married James Spence in 1818.

His Grandchildren

Through his son, Thomas Hughan had several grandchildren. One of them was Janetta Hughan. She married John Manners, 7th Duke of Rutland. Another granddaughter was Louisa Hughan, who married Sir Brydges Henniker, 4th Baronet. Their son was Sir Arthur Henniker-Hughan, 6th Baronet, who also became a Member of Parliament.