HORSMAN, Thomas (c.1536-1610), of Burton Pedwardine, Lincs. and the Savoy, Mdx.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

b. c.1536, s. of Thomas Horsman (d. bef. 1553) of Burton Pedwardine by Elizabeth, da. of Sir Robert Hussey of Blankney, Lincs. educ.?Trinity Hall, Camb. 1555. m. Anne, wid., s.p. Kntd. 14 Mar. 1604.

Offices Held

Escheator, Lincs. 1592-3, j.p. 1601, assayer of the table and gent. server to the Queen.

Biography

Little is known about Horsman. He was brought up in the family of Lord Burghley who launched him upon a career at court which lasted for 40 years. It was presumably due to the Cecil influence in Lincolnshire that Horsman was four times returned to Parliament for Grantham. He is not known to have played an active part in the House.

Horsman owned property at Burton, Mareham, Willoughby and Doddington, Lincolnshire, and held the lease in reversion of the manor of Caythorpe, Lincolnshire, and the parsonage of Chertsey, Surrey. In his will, dated 16 Oct. 1609, he left his wife the leases he held of the Savoy, the Savoy rent, and the lease of a house and lands in Chertsey. He bequeathed small sums to the poor of Chertsey, the Savoy, St. Clement Danes, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, St. Mary-le-Strand, Grantham and Burton. His old servant William Bennet received £200, and bonds, money, plate and the lease of the parsonage of Surfleet, Lincolnshire, went to his nephew and sole executor, Thomas Horsman. He died childless at the Savoy 26 Nov. 1610, and was buried at Burton, where his nephew erected the monument that he desired, an alabaster effigy in armour, the head reposing on a cushion and the hands in an attitude of prayer.

Genealogist, iii. 271; CSP Dom. 1601-3, p. 75; PCC 98 Wingfield; HMC Hatfield, xiii. 166; Trollope, Sleaford, 351.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: N.M.S.

Notes

  • 1. Did not serve for the full duration of the Parliament.