Thomas Chambers (colonial administrator) explained
Sir Thomas Chambers or Chamber (died 1692)[1] was an English administrator and factor of the Honourable East India Company who served as the Agent of Madras from 1658 to 1661 or 1662. His family background is reported as Wolsty in Cumberland. [2]
Tenure as Agent of Madras
As soon as Thomas Chambers became Agent, he was instructed by the authorities in England to make decisions based on a majority vote and not on his private discretion. In the case of a stalemate, the Agent was allowed to cast the deciding vote.[3]
Later life and family
In 1670 Chambers bought the park and manor of Hanworth, Middlesex, from the heir of Francis Cottington, 1st Baron Cottington. His son Thomas (1677–1750) married Mary Berkeley, daughter of Charles Berkeley, 2nd Earl of Berkeley.[4] [5] [6] In the next generation Mary Chambers, heiress to Sir Thomas, married Vere Beauclerk, 1st Baron Vere.[2]
Notes and References
- 'Spelthorne Hundred: Feltham', in A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 2, General; Ashford, East Bedfont With Hatton, Feltham, Hampton With Hampton Wick, Hanworth, Laleham, Littleton, ed. William Page (London, 1911), pp. 314-319. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol2/pp314-319.
- Web site: Antiquary, a magazine devoted to the study of the past. 1905. 43. Internet Archive. Elliott Stock. 66. 6 October 2016. London.
- Book: Ogborn, Miles. Indian Ink: Script and Print in the Making of the English East India Company . 2007. 77. University of Chicago Press. 9780226620428. 0226620417.
- Book: Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.). Katharine Baetjer. British Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1575-1875. 2009. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 978-1-58839-348-7. 28.
- Web site: Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society. 1856. I. Internet Archive. J. H. and J. Parker. 185. 6 October 2016. London.
- Web site: Kindred Britain - Thomas Chambers. Stanford University. 6 October 2016.
