Thomas Orde-Powlett, 1st Baron Bolton facts for kids

Thomas Orde-Powlett, a clever politician and artist.

Thomas Orde-Powlett, 1st Baron Bolton was an important English politician. He was also a talented artist who enjoyed making etchings and cartoons. He lived from 1746 to 1807.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Orde was born in 1746. His father was John Orde from Morpeth, a town in Northumberland, England. Thomas went to two famous schools: Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. He finished his studies at Cambridge in 1773, earning a special degree called a Master of Arts.

His Political Career

Thomas Orde became a politician, joining the Tory party. He was elected to the UK Parliament as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Aylesbury from 1780 to 1784. Later, he represented Harwich from 1784 to 1796.

He held several important jobs in the government:

• He was a Secretary to the Treasury from 1782 to 1783. This role involved managing government money.
• He became the Chief Secretary for Ireland from 1784 to 1787. This was a key position in the Irish government at the time.
• He was also a member of the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the King.

Thomas Orde also served as the Governor of the Isle of Wight from 1791 to 1807. He was also the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire from 1800 to 1807.

Becoming Baron Bolton

In 1795, Thomas Orde added the name Powlett to his surname, becoming Orde-Powlett. This was a special change allowed by the King. Two years later, in 1797, he was given the title of Baron Bolton. This meant he became a Lord and was known as the 1st Baron Bolton.

His younger brother, John Orde, was a brave Admiral in the Navy. He also received a special title, becoming a Baronet in 1790.

Thomas Orde-Powlett passed away in 1807. His eldest son, William, became the 2nd Baron Bolton. William also served briefly as an MP for Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.

His Family and Estates

In 1778, Thomas Orde married Jean Mary Browne-Powlett. Jean was the daughter of Charles Powlett, 5th Duke of Bolton. The Duke had arranged for many of his large estates to go to Jean if his younger brother had no sons.

When the Duke's brother, Harry Powlett, 6th Duke of Bolton, died without any sons in 1794, the Dukedom ended. Because of this, Thomas Orde and his wife inherited many valuable properties. These included:

• Bolton Hall in North Yorkshire.
• Bolton Castle, also in North Yorkshire.
• Hackwood Park in Old Basing, Hampshire.

These estates were very important and included many farms.