THOMAS, William II (d.1596), of Bridgwater, Som.

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

Offices Held

Bailiff, Bridgwater, mayor 1581-2, 1590-1.

Biography

Thomas was a Bridgwater merchant and burgess whose family had been established in the town since the middle of the fifteenth century. His seat in Parliament came towards the end of his life when he had already held the chief administrative offices of the town. Thomas and his fellow-Member were appointed to two committees concerned with cloth, 15 and 23 Mar., and received a total of £16 in wages for the session.

Thomas made his will 17 Mar. 1595, proved 19 May 1596. He left 1s. to Wells cathedral, a number of personal bequests, and appointed as overseers Alexander Jones, a Bridgwater merchant, and Alexander Popham, the recorder, whose son Thomas was bequeathed £40. The executor and residuary legatee was one John Wood.

Bridgwater archives, nos. 1476, 1567; receivers’ accts. 1581, f. 11v; E190/1081/3; Bridgwater Borough Archives (Som. Rec. Soc. lx), 97; D’Ewes, 501, 507; PCC 38 Drake.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: A. M. Mimardière

Notes