Thomas Southwell, 1st Viscount Southwell
Encyclopedia
Thomas George Southwell, 1st Viscount Southwell (4 May 1721 – 29 August 1780), styled The Honourable from birth until 1766, was an Irish politician and freemason.
and his wife Mary Coke, eldest daughter of Thomas Coke. Southwell was educated at Lincoln's Inn
and went then to Christ Church College, Oxford. He served in the 2nd Foot and became an ensign in 1738. Between 1753 and 1757, Southwell was Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ireland
.
for Enniscorthy
, sitting for it until 1761. Subsequently he was returned for Limerick County
, the same constituency his father and his uncle Henry Southwell had represented before, until 1766, when he succeeded his father as baron. Three years later, Southwell delivered his maiden speech in the Irish House of Lords
. He was appointed Constable of Limerick Castle in 1750, and Governor of County Limerick in 1762, posts he held until his death in 1780. In 1776, Southwell was elevated to the title Viscount Southwell, of Castle Mattress, in the County of Limerick.
. He was succeeded in his titles by his oldest son Thomas
., while his younger son Robert
sat also in the Parliament of Ireland
.
Background
He was the oldest son of Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baron SouthwellThomas Southwell, 2nd Baron Southwell
Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baron Southwell PC , FRS , styled The Honourable from 1717 until 1720, was an Irish peer, politician and freemason.-Background:...
and his wife Mary Coke, eldest daughter of Thomas Coke. Southwell was educated at Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
and went then to Christ Church College, Oxford. He served in the 2nd Foot and became an ensign in 1738. Between 1753 and 1757, Southwell was Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Ireland
Grand Lodge of Ireland
The Grand Lodge of Ireland is the second most senior Grand Lodge of Freemasons in the world, and the oldest in continuous existence. Since no specific record of its foundation exists, 1725 is the year celebrated in Grand Lodge anniversaries, as the oldest reference to Grand Lodge of Ireland comes...
.
Career
In 1747, Southwell entered the Irish House of CommonsIrish 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...
for Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Enniscorthy was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1800.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Enniscorthy was represented with two members.-1689–1801:...
, sitting for it until 1761. Subsequently he was returned for Limerick County
Limerick County (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
Limerick County was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons until 1800.-1692–1801:...
, the same constituency his father and his uncle Henry Southwell had represented before, until 1766, when he succeeded his father as baron. Three years later, Southwell delivered his maiden speech in the Irish House of Lords
Irish House of Lords
The Irish House of Lords was the upper house of the Parliament of Ireland that existed from mediaeval times until 1800. It was abolished along with the Irish House of Commons by the Act of Union.-Function:...
. He was appointed Constable of Limerick Castle in 1750, and Governor of County Limerick in 1762, posts he held until his death in 1780. In 1776, Southwell was elevated to the title Viscount Southwell, of Castle Mattress, in the County of Limerick.
Family
On 18 June 1741, he married Margaret Hamilton, daughter of Arthur Cecil Hamilton, and had by her three sons and a daughter. Southwell died, aged 59 and was buried at RathkealeRathkeale
Rathkeale is a town in west County Limerick, Ireland. It is located 30 km southwest of Limerick city on the N21 road to Tralee, and lies on the River Deel. Rathkeale has a significant Irish Traveller population....
. He was succeeded in his titles by his oldest son Thomas
Thomas Southwell, 2nd Viscount Southwell
Thomas Arthur Southwell, 2nd Viscount Southwell , styled The Honourable from 1766 until 1780, was an Irish peer and politician....
., while his younger son Robert
Robert Henry Southwell
Robert Henry Southwell , styled The Honourable from 1766, was an Irish politician.He was the second son of Thomas Southwell, 1st Viscount Southwell and his wife Margaret Hamilton, daughter of Arthur Cecil Hamilton. Southwell served as lieutenant-colonel of the 8th Dragoons...
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...
.