Thomas Pitt, 1st Earl of Londonderry facts for kids
Thomas Pitt, 1st Earl of Londonderry (born around 1688 – died September 12, 1729) was an important person in British history. He was an officer in the British Army and also a politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, from 1713 to 1728. Later, he became the Governor of the Leeward Islands, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, from 1728 until he passed away in 1729.
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Who Was Thomas Pitt?
Thomas Pitt was the second son of a rich merchant named Thomas Pitt (1653-1726). His father was also a very important person who was the President of Madras, a big trading post in India. Thomas Pitt's mother was Jane Innes.
His family was quite famous! His nephew was William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who was known as "Pitt the Elder." This William Pitt was the father of William Pitt the Younger. Both of these men later became prime ministers of Great Britain, leading the country.
His Early Life and Army Career
Thomas Pitt went to a special school in London from 1703 to 1706. After that, he joined the army in 1708. He started as an ensign, which is a junior officer, and later became a captain. He served in different parts of the army until 1715.
Becoming a Politician
In 1713, Thomas Pitt was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for a place called Wilton. This was a "rotten borough," which meant it was a very small town with few voters, and his father had a lot of control over who got elected there. He was part of the Whig political group.
In 1719, he was given a special title and became Baron Londonderry. This was a title in the Peerage of Ireland, which is a system of noble ranks. Seven years later, in 1726, he received even higher titles: Viscount Gallen-Ridgeway and Earl of Londonderry.
He continued to be a Member of Parliament for Wilton in 1715 and voted with the government. He also became a Colonel in the army in 1715 and helped during the Jacobite Rebellion, a time when some people tried to put a different king on the throne.
He was elected again for Wilton in 1722. In 1727, he became a Member of Parliament for another famous "rotten borough" called Old Sarum.
Governor of the Leeward Islands
In 1728, Thomas Pitt was given a very important job: he became the Governor of the Leeward Islands. These islands are in the Caribbean Sea. Because of this new role, he had to leave his position in the House of Commons.
His Family Life
On March 10, 1717, Thomas Pitt married Lady Frances Ridgeway. She was one of the two daughters of Robert Ridgeway, 4th Earl of Londonderry. Lady Frances inherited land in Yorkshire. After Thomas Pitt died, she married again in 1732.
Thomas and Lady Frances had two sons and one daughter:
- Thomas Pitt, 2nd Earl of Londonderry (1717-1734): He was their oldest son and became the next Earl. Sadly, he died at age 17 after falling from his horse.
- Ridgeway Pitt, 3rd Earl of Londonderry (1722-1765): He became the Earl after his older brother passed away. He died at 43 and did not have any children, so the family titles ended with him.
- Lucy Pitt: She married Pierce Meyrick.
His Death
Thomas Pitt passed away on September 12, 1729, when he was 41 years old. He died on the island of St. Kitts in the Leeward Islands, after serving as Governor for about a year. He was buried in his family's burial place in Blandford, Dorset. His oldest son, Thomas Pitt, 2nd Earl of Londonderry, took over his titles.
