Thomas Pakenham, 1st Baron Longford explained

Honorific Prefix:The Right Honourable
The Lord Longford
Term Start:1745
Term End:1757
Predecessor:Michael Cuffe
Richard Edgeworth
Successor:Roger Hall
Richard Edgeworth
Birth Date:May 1713
Birth Place:County Westmeath, Ireland
Parents:Edward Pakenham
Margaret Bradestan Pakenham
Children:7
Relations:Sir Thomas Pakenham (grandfather)

Thomas Pakenham, 1st Baron Longford (May 1713 – 30 April 1766) was an Irish peer and politician.

Early life

He was born in May 1713 at Pakenham Hall, County Westmeath, Ireland, eldest son of Edward Pakenham and Margaret Bradestan.

His maternal grandfather was John Bradestan and his paternal grandfather was Sir Thomas Pakenham, the Prime Serjeant.[1]

After his father's death, his mother remarried Reverend Ossory Medlicott, vicar of Ticehurst, Sussex.

Career

Between 1745 and 1757, Pakenham represented Longford Borough in the Irish House of Commons.

On 22 February 1605, grants of Market and Fair for Longford were given to Lord Baron Delvin by the King. Licence to hold a Thursday market and fair on the 1st of August, and two days at Longford, with the usual courts and fees.[2] [3]

In 1552, King Edward VI granted lands of Annalye (County Longford) to Baron Delvin including the Holy Island and lands of the O'Ferralls.[4]

In 1556–57, Philip and Mary made grants to Lord Baron Delvin of the northern County Longford region before the county became County Longford.[5]

King James I also granted to Lord Baron Delvin the Island and monastery of Inchemore in what is now County Longford, otherwise Inismore, in the Annalie.[6]

King James did grant Lord Baron Delvin about 1/2 of the County Longford in a massive grant of lands and castles including Castles Newton, Lisnovoa, and Monilagan. The grant was mostly surrendered in 1607 for compensation of 100 pounds per year and other lands.[7]

Personal life

In 1739, Pakenham was married to Elizabeth Cuffe (1719–1794), the only daughter and sole heiress of Michael Cuffe, MP. Elizabeth later became suo jure 1st Countess of Longford, and in 1756 Pakenham was created the 1st Baron Longford because his wife was the grand-niece and heiress of Ambrose Aungier, 2nd Earl of Longford, who had died without issue.[8] Together, they had seven children, four sons and three daughters:[3]

Pakenham died on 30 April 1766 at the age of 52. Upon his death, their son, Edward, became the 2nd Baron Longford. The first baron's fourth son was Admiral Sir Thomas Pakenham.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thomas Pakenham, 1st Baron Longford . Thepeerage.com . 2009-02-05 .
  2. https://archive.org/details/cu31924028071029/page/n59 Grant of Market and Fair of County Longford - History of County Longford Pg. 56
  3. Book: Lodge . John . The Peerage of Ireland, Or, A Genealogical History of the Present Nobility of that Kingdom: With Their Paternal Coats of Arms, Engraven on Copper : Collected from the Publick Records; Authentic Manuscripts; Approved Historians; Well-attested Pedigrees; and Personal Information . 1754 . William Johnston, bookseller, in St. Paul's Church-Yard . 138 . 30 April 2020 . en.
  4. https://archive.org/details/cu31924084250640/page/n459 King Edward VI grants of Annaly to Baron Delvin 1552
  5. Grant to Baron Delvin Grant of Granard region to Baron Delvin
  6. https://archive.org/details/cu31924028071029 Grant of Inchemore Island to Baron Delvin by King James
  7. Book: Office . Great Britain Public Record . Calendar of the State Papers, Relating to Ireland, of the Reign of James I. ...: Preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, and Elsewhere . 1874 . Longman & Company . 159 . 30 April 2020 . en.
  8. Web site: Longford, Earl of (I, 1785) . www.cracroftspeerage.co.uk . Heraldic Media Limited . 30 April 2020.
  9. Book: The Annual biography and obituary. The Honourable Thomas Pakenham, G.D.B.. 236. 1837.