Thomas Medlycott (1662–1738) facts for kids

Thomas Medlycott (1662–1738) was an important British lawyer and politician. He worked in Ireland as a top legal officer, called the Attorney General, and later helped manage the country's money as a Commissioner. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) in both Ireland and Great Britain for many years. He started his political life as a Tory and later became a Whig.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Medlycott was born in 1662. He was the third son of Thomas Medlycott from Abingdon, England. He began studying law in 1680 at a famous law school called Middle Temple. By 1687, he had finished his studies and became a lawyer. In the same year, he married Sarah Goddard.

Working in Ireland

Medlycott started his career in Ireland by working for James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde. He helped manage the Duke's lands and served as his secretary. In 1691, he became a lawyer in Ireland. By 1692, he was appointed Attorney-General for County Tipperary. This was a very important legal job.

In 1692, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Kildare Borough in the Parliament of Ireland. He was elected again for Kildare in 1695. In 1697, he helped with a special task for the King. He worked to oppose a bill that would have given former King James II's Irish lands to someone else. These lands were very valuable. Medlycott gained some land himself in Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Waterford in 1698 and 1699. He bought more land in Mayo in 1701. He continued to be elected as an Irish MP, representing Clonmel in 1703 and Ballynakill in 1713.

Serving in the British Parliament

By 1705, Medlycott's brother, James Medlycott, had helped him gain more influence in the area of Milborne Port. This made it almost certain that Thomas Medlycott would be elected there. During the election, he also asked the Duke of Ormonde for a job as a deputy-steward in Westminster, which he received. The Duke also helped Medlycott's son get a job in the Irish guards.

In the 1705 English general election, Medlycott was elected as an MP for Milborne Port. In Parliament, he often voted with the Whigs and some moderate Tories. He worked hard, especially on issues related to Westminster. He helped with three private bills and was very interested in a bill to prevent fires.

At the 1708 British general election, he was elected MP for Milborne Port and also for Westminster. He chose to represent Westminster. He continued to work hard on city matters. He helped improve his Fires Act, set up a workhouse, and worked on rules for sewers, hackney coaches (taxis), and even barbers. He also helped with bills for Irish landowners. In 1710, he voted with the Tories against the impeachment of Henry Sacheverell, a famous preacher.

Medlycott was re-elected in the 1710 British general election. He was known as a 'Tory patriot' who supported peace in 1711. He also helped find problems in the previous government. In 1712, he became a senior member of his law school. In July 1712, he was appointed Commissioner of Revenue and Excise for Ireland. This meant he was in charge of collecting taxes and duties in Ireland.

He was re-elected without opposition in the 1713 British general election. By this time, he was seen as a Tory who sometimes voted with the Whigs. He spoke in favor of condemning Richard Steele's attacks on the government in 1714. He also supported the Hanoverian Tories and spoke in favor of the peace treaty. In 1714, he became Chairman of the Committee of elections and privileges. He asked for money back for expenses he had in 1697, but Queen Anne died soon after, so he wasn't paid. He kept his job as Commissioner for Revenue and Excise in Ireland even after joining the Whigs.

Later Career and Retirement

Medlycott did not run in the 1715 British general election. Instead, he was elected as an Irish MP for Downpatrick. He stayed in Ireland, busy with his official duties and personal matters.

He lost his Irish job in July 1727 but was re-elected as MP for Milborne Port in the 1727 British general election. He was also elected for the Irish Parliament seat at Newtown Limvady in 1727. He got his job back as Commissioner for Revenue and Excise for Ireland in February 1728. He held this position until October 1733, when his son-in-law took over. This was because Medlycott needed to stay in England as a Member of Parliament.

In the British Parliament, he voted with the government for the excise bill and against repealing the Septennial Act. His only recorded speech was on February 21, 1733. He spoke against a part of a bill that limited the import of sugar, molasses, and rum into Ireland. He lost his seat at Milborne Port in the 1734 British general election to his nephew, Thomas Medlycott.

Death and Family

Thomas Medlycott passed away before September 1738. He had two sons and one daughter with his wife, Sarah. However, he left most of his property to a person named Thomas John Medlycott (originally Thomas Muschamp), who was likely his illegitimate son.