Thomas Beecher
Encyclopedia
Colonel Thomas Becher JP
(1640 – 10 October 1709) was an Irish
politician and soldier. The family's surname varies in its spelling, caused by its pronouncation.
, he was the son of Major Henry Becher and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Notte. His paternal grandfather Henry was Lord President of Munster
. Becher was educated at Trinity College, Dublin
and graduated in 1658.
in 1665, assigned to County Cork
. He fought in the Battle of the Boyne
in 1690, serving as aide-de-camp to William of Orange
, for which he was awarded a watch by the later King. In 1692, he was appointed Governor of Sherkin Island
. Later in that year he entered the Irish House of Commons
, having stood for Baltimore
. He was returned for the constituency until his death in 1709. In Parliament he supported Henry Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Tewkesbury
, at that time the Lord Deputy of Ireland
.
in Cork in the following year. His son Michael sat also in the Parliament of Ireland
, representing the same constituency as his father.
Surviving letters are held by the Bristol Record Office. Notable descendants were the social reformer John Thomas Becher (1769–1848), a friend of the poet Lord Byron as well as Anne Becher (1792–1864), the mother of William Makepeace Thackeray
.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(1640 – 10 October 1709) was an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
politician and soldier. The family's surname varies in its spelling, caused by its pronouncation.
Background
Born in Baltimore, County CorkBaltimore, County Cork
Baltimore is located in western County Cork, Ireland. Baltimore is the principal village of the parish of Rath and the Islands, the southernmost parish in Ireland...
, he was the son of Major Henry Becher and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Notte. His paternal grandfather Henry was Lord President of Munster
Lord President of Munster
The post of Lord President of Munster was the most important office in the English government of the Irish province of Munster from its introduction in the Elizabethan era for a century, to 1672, a period including the Desmond Rebellions in Munster, the Nine Years' War, and the Irish Rebellion of...
. Becher was educated at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
and graduated in 1658.
Career
Becher was nominated a Justice of the PeaceJustice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
in 1665, assigned to County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. He fought in the Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne was fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish and Irish thronesthe Catholic King James and the Protestant King William across the River Boyne near Drogheda on the east coast of Ireland...
in 1690, serving as aide-de-camp to William of Orange
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
, for which he was awarded a watch by the later King. In 1692, he was appointed Governor of Sherkin Island
Sherkin Island
Sherkin Island, historically called Inisherkin , lies southwest of County Cork in Ireland alongside other islands of Roaringwater Bay. It had a population of 106 people at the time of the 2006 Census, measures 3 miles long by 1.5 miles wide...
. Later in that year he entered the Irish House of Commons
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
, having stood for Baltimore
Baltimore (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Baltimore was a potwalloper constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons from 1614 to 1801.-Boundaries and Boundary Changes:This constituency was based in the town of Baltimore in County Cork.-Potwalloper:...
. He was returned for the constituency until his death in 1709. In Parliament he supported Henry Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Tewkesbury
Henry Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Tewkesbury
Henry Capell, 1st Baron Capell of Tewkesbury KB, PC was a seventeenth century English politician.-Background:...
, at that time the Lord Deputy of Ireland
Lord Deputy of Ireland
The Lord Deputy was the King's representative and head of the Irish executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and later the Kingdom of Ireland...
.
Family and legacy
In 1665, he married Elizabeth Turner, daughter of Henry Turner; they had fifteen children, nine sons and six daughters. Becher died in 1709 and was buried at St Matthew's Church in Aughadown. Elizabeth died about 1720, her will being dated 26 September was proved in the prerogative courtPrerogative court
A prerogative court is a court through which the discretionary powers, privileges, and legal immunities reserved to the sovereign were exercised. In England in the 17th century a clash developed between these courts, representing the crown's authority, and common law courts. Prerogative courts...
in Cork in the following year. His son Michael sat also in the Parliament of Ireland
Parliament of Ireland
The Parliament of Ireland was a legislature that existed in Dublin from 1297 until 1800. In its early mediaeval period during the Lordship of Ireland it consisted of either two or three chambers: the House of Commons, elected by a very restricted suffrage, the House of Lords in which the lords...
, representing the same constituency as his father.
Surviving letters are held by the Bristol Record Office. Notable descendants were the social reformer John Thomas Becher (1769–1848), a friend of the poet Lord Byron as well as Anne Becher (1792–1864), the mother of William Makepeace Thackeray
William Makepeace Thackeray
William Makepeace Thackeray was an English novelist of the 19th century. He was famous for his satirical works, particularly Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society.-Biography:...
.