WENMAN, Thomas, 2nd Visct. Wenman of Tuam [I] (c.1596-1665), of Thame Park, Oxon. and Twyford, Bucks.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

Apr. 1640
Nov. 1640

Family and Education

b. c.1596, 1st s. of Sir Richard Wenman, 1st Visct. Wenman of Tuam [I], by 1st w. Agnes, da. of Sir George Former of Easton Neston, Northants. educ. Balliol, Oxf. matric. 23 Nov. 1604, aged 8; I. Temple 1613. m. 1617, Margaret (d. 1 May 1658), da. and coh. of Edmund Hampden of Wendover, Bucks., 1s. d.v.p. 6da. Kntd. 10 Sept. 1617; suc. fa. 3 Apr. 1640.2

Offices Held

J.p. Oxon. by 1634-48, Mar. 1660-d., Bucks. July 1660-d.; commr. for sewers, Berks. and Oxon. 1634, oyer and terminer, Berks., Glos. and Oxon. 1637, 1640, Oxford circuit July 1660, execution of ordinances, Bucks. and Oxon. 1644, appeals, Oxf. Univ. 1647, militia, Bucks. and Oxon. 1648, Mar. 1660, assessment, Blacks and Oxen. 1647-8, Oxon. Aug. 1660-d., Bucks. 1661-3.3

Commr. for treaty of Uxbridge 1645, exclusion from sacrament 1646, scandalous offences 1648, treaty of Newport 1648.4

Biography

Wenman was descended from a merchant of the staple who died in 1500. The family rose rapidly in the 16th century, acquiring property chiefly by marriage, and first represented Oxfordshire in 1555. As one of the most consistent supporters of peace in the Long Parliament, he was imprisoned at Pride’s Purge, and remained out of political life throughout the Interregnum, employing the Anglican Seth Ward as his chaplain. He was ‘not in a condition to come up’ with the rest of the secluded Members in February 1660, though he apparently resumed his seat before the dissolution of the Long Parliament, and it was not until the eve of the Restoration that he sent his duty to the King. Returned for Oxfordshire at the general election of 1660, he was regarded by Lord Wharton as a friend and entrusted with the management of Lord Falkland (Henry Carey), Sir Anthony Cope and Richard Rainsford I. However, he took no ascertainable part in the Convention, and probably did not stand again. He died on 24 Jan. 1665 and was buried at Twyford. He bequeathed over £8,000 to his daughters and their children. His brother Philip inherited the title, which eventually passed (under a new patent) to his grandson, Richard Wenman, as well as an annuity of £1,000 p.a.5

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Authors: M. W. Helms / Leonard Naylor

Notes

  • 1. Secluded at Pride’s Purge, 6 Dec. 1648, readmitted 21 Feb. 1660.
  • 2. Lipscomb, Bucks. iii. 132.
  • 3. C181/4, f. 179, 181/5, ff. 33, 62, 161.
  • 4. HMC Portland, i. 500.
  • 5. Keeler, Long Parl. 383; Verney Mems. ii. 155; Cal. Cl. SP, iv. 688.