Thomas Smythe (customer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas Smythe
Thomas 'Customer' Smythe
Born	1522
Died	7 June 1591
Buried	Ashford, Kent
Spouse(s)	Alice Judde
Issue	Andrew Smythe John Smythe Sir Thomas Smythe Henry Smythe Richard Smythe Robert Smythe Symon Smythe Elizabeth Smythe Mary Smythe Joan Smythe Katherine Smythe Alice Smythe Ursula Smythe
Father	John Smythe
Mother	Joan Brouncker

Arms of Smythe of the City of London: Azure, a chevron between three lions passant guardant or. As seen on mural monument to his daughter Katherine Smythe in St Mary's Church, Nettlestead, Kent

Thomas Smythe (also spelled Smith) was an important English businessman and politician who lived from 1522 to 1591. He was known as the "customer" of London, which meant he collected taxes on goods coming into the city. During the time of the Tudor period kings and queens, he also served as a member of parliament (MP) for five different areas in England. His son, Sir Thomas Smythe (died 1625), became very famous as the first leader of the East India Company and a key supporter of the Virginia colony in America.

Early Life and Family Background

Thomas Smythe was born in 1522. He was the second son of John Smythe and Joan Brouncker. His father, John, was a successful farmer and cloth maker from Corsham, Wiltshire. When his father passed away in 1538, Thomas was about 16 years old. He inherited a farm that gave him a good income each year. After his father's death, Thomas decided to move to London to find more opportunities and build his career.

Building a Career in London

When Thomas Smythe moved to London, he joined his father's business group, the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. Later, he also joined the Worshipful Company of Skinners. These were powerful groups of merchants in London.

In 1550, Thomas became good friends with Sir Andrew Judde, who was the Lord Mayor of London. About four years later, Thomas married Judde's daughter, Alice Judde. This marriage helped him connect with important families and grow his influence.

Working as a Customs Collector

During the reign of Mary I of England, Thomas Smythe bought the important job of "Collector of the Customs." This meant he was in charge of collecting taxes on goods that were imported or exported through London's port. He paid a large sum of £2,500 for this position.

When Elizabeth I became Queen in 1558, she confirmed his appointment, and he continued in this role for 11 more years. However, in 1567, Queen Elizabeth was very unhappy with him. He was accused of causing a loss of £6,000 to the Queen's treasury. Luckily, his friend William Cecil, Lord Burghley, who was a powerful advisor to the Queen, stepped in to help him. Cecil convinced the Queen to be understanding, saying that Thomas would pay back the money if given more time.

Over time, Queen Elizabeth started asking for larger and larger payments from Thomas to renew his customs leases. She needed money for her government. Thomas found it harder and harder to meet these high demands. In October 1589, he offered a smaller payment, but the Queen refused it.

Because of his age, health problems, and the stress of trying to meet the Queen's demands, Thomas Smythe passed away 18 months later, on June 7, 1591. He left behind his wife, Alice, and 12 of their children.

Serving as a Member of Parliament

Besides his work as a customs collector, Thomas Smythe was also a member of parliament (MP) several times. This meant he represented different areas in the English Parliament, helping to make laws. He served as an MP for:

• Tavistock in October 1553
• Aylesbury in April 1554
• Rye in November 1554
• Winchelsea in 1555
• Portsmouth in 1563

Marriage and Children

Alice Judde, Thomas Smythe's wife, painted around 1579 or 1580

A monument to Katherine Smythe in Nettlestead Church, Kent. Katherine was the daughter of Thomas Smythe and wife of Sir John Scott.

Thomas Smythe and his wife, Alice Judde, had 13 children together. Here are some of them:

• Andrew Smythe, their first son, who died as a baby.
• Sir John Smythe (1557–1608), who married Elizabeth Fineaux.
• Sir Thomas Smythe (1558–1625), who became a very important figure. He was married three times and had children with his third wife, Sarah Blount.
• Henry Smythe, who married Elizabeth Owen.
• Sir Richard Smythe (died 1628), who married Elizabeth Scott and later Jane White.
• Sir Robert Smythe, who married Elizabeth Scott.
• Symon Smythe, who died during a battle at Cadiz in 1596.
• Elizabeth Smythe, who married Sir Henry Fanshawe.
• Mary Smythe, who married Robert Davy or Davis.
• Joan Smythe, who married Thomas Fanshawe.
• Katherine Smythe, who married Sir Rowland Hayward, then Sir John Scott, and later Sir Richard Sandys.
• Alice Smythe, who married William Harris.
• Ursula Smythe, who married William Butler.