Colonel Thomas Becher, M.P of Baltimore, County Cork

Thomas Becher was born in 1640 in Baltimore, Co Cork. He was the son of Henry Becher and his wife Elizabeth Notte.

He was educated in 1658 at Dublin University, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland.

Birthplace is from his Dublin Alumni entry. "Becher, Thomas, SC [Mr French, Baltimore] June 2, 1658 aged 18, son of Henry, Armiger, b. Baltimore, Co Cork.[MP Baltimore 1692 & 1695]

He is included among the Tituladoes of Aughadown in the 1659 Census of Ireland.

Thomas Becher married Elizabeth Turner in 1665 by licence in County Cork.

In 1689 "fled" to Bristol before King James landed at Kinsale 12 March with his wife Elizabeth nee Turner & seven children. While they were there 7th son John Becher was apprenticed to John Duddlestone. Sadly, his 11 year old son George Becher died and was buried at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, England.

He fought in the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, as the Aide-de-Camp to King William III.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Baltimore [Ireland] in 1692.

He was Governor of the Island of Inisherkin, County Cork on 1 July 1692.

He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Baltimore [Ireland] between 1696 and 1699.

He lived at Aughadown, Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland.

He lived at Sherkin Island, Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland.

His will (dated 21 August 1705) was probated on 11 March 1709/10 [see below].

He was buried at St. Matthew's Church, Aughadown, County Cork, Ireland. The inscription on his crypt is now illegible, but 80 years ago it was recorded by William Kingston as "Here lyeth the body of Colonel Thomas Becher, eminent for justice and love of his country"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Boyne

Of Aghadown, Cork, Ireland

Thomas Becher's will was registered as a Deed 1 456 356 Registered 11 March 1708 at 11 o’clock in the forenoon In the name of God amen, Thomas Becher of Sherkin, in the County of Cork, Esquire being in full sense and perfect memory do make and declare my last will and testament as followeth; first I do bequeth my soul to God and my body to the earth. Item, I give, devise and bequeth unto my well beloved Brothers-in-law Henry Turner, Richard Turner and John Roberts Esq, their heirs and assigns the nine plowlands of [place name spellings not yet checked!] Ardentenane, the half plowlands of Cahiroleckeny, the plowland and a half of Ratooragh, the half plowland of Gortioen, the plowland and eight greeves of Raneatonacane, the four greeves of Kitomane, the four greeves of Malindinny and Coonfarnain in the parish of Skull, the three plowlands of Ballyrisode, the two plowlands of Dunkilly and nine greeves, the plowlands of Callirisoughtra, the plowland and five greeves of Baltenoughtra, the plowlands of Killean, the half plowland of Lynane, , the nine greeves of Cahir, the half plowland of Quorisk, and the nine greeves of Cloghar, to and upon the several use, intents and purposes and limitations; that is to say; That in the first place, the said Henry Turner, Richard Turner and John Roberts shall suffer my son Henry Becher to receive the rents, fines and profits of the said lands during his natural life and from and after determination of his estatetherin to the use of the said Henry Turner, Richard Turner and John Roberts and their heirs and assigns during the life of my said son Henry, upon trust only& to preserve the contingent uses herein after mentioned and from & after the death of my said son Henry to the use of the first son of the body of the said Henry lawfully begotten and for the want of such issue, to the use of the second, third, fourth, fifth and every other son & sons of the said Henry lawfully issuing and to heirs male of the body of every such son & sons lawfully to be begotten according to their seniority of age, the eldest of such sons and the heirs male of his body always preferred to take before the younger, and the heires male of his body and for want of such issue to the use of my son Michael Becher for and during his natural life and from the determination of his estate therein, to the use of the said Henry Turner, Richard Turner and John Roberts and their heires and assignes during the life of my said son Michael upon trust only and to preserve the contingent uses herein after mentioned and from and after the death of my said son Michael to the use of the first son of the body of the said Michael lawfully begotten and for the want of such issue, to the use of the second, third, fourth, fifth and every other son & sons of the said Michael lawfully issuing and to heirs male of the body of every such son & sons lawfully to be begotten according to their seniority of age, the eldest of such sons and the heirs male of his body always preferred to take before the younger, and the heires male of his body and for want of such issue to the use of my son Michael Becher for and during his natural life and from the determination of his estate therein, to the use of the said Henry Turner, Richard Turner and John Roberts and their heires and assignes during the life of my said son Michael upon trust only and to preserve the contingent uses herein after mentioned and from and after the death of my said son etc then my son John Becher, then my son Lionel Becher & then Edward Becher [leaving out all the repeating passages]...and for want of such issue to my kinsman Francis Becher of Tallough in the County of Waterford.

• And I do give, devise and bequeath unto my son Lionell Becher the three plowlands of Quolagh and the plowlands of Raneaknockane in the parish of Skull, and County of Cork aforesaid to hold during his naturall life without impeachment for any manner of... then to son John Becher.......
• And my further will is and I do hereby devise that a rent charge of tenn pounds, eight shillings sterling be forever after issuing and payable out of the two plowlands of Old Court unto the incumbent church wardens of the parish of Ballymodan.... Also, I give, devise and bequeath unto my son John Becher the sum of 500 pounds to be paid to him within three years of my decease by my executors.
• Also I do give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Susan Becher the sum of 1000 ponds to be paid to her on the day of her marriage and in the meantime 50 pounds sterling per year for her maintenance. And also... And as to my reall estate not herein or before or otherwise settled or disposed of by me or my will and intention and thereby give and devise all such my....shall stand seized unto my well beloved brother-in-law Henry Turner, Richard Turner and John Roberts Esq. ......for the security of fifteen hundred pounds to my son Edward Becher which I gave him for his portion on his marriage....To the use of my beloved wife for and during her natural life and towards her support and maintenance and in satisfaction of any jointure or provision hereto made by my father or me to her and from or after her decease and payments of my debts and legacies herin bequeathed and the said incumberance for my son Edward, then to my son Michael for and during his natural life....my son John Becher...sons of his body etc Lionell my son....sons of his body...my son Henry Becher...sons of his body...son Edward Becher sons of his body... [Long list of lands] well beloved wife to receive the rents & profitts...and after the decease of my said wife....son Michael rents....John Becher rents...Lionel Becher rents...the remainder to my son Henry Becher for and during his natural life and after his decease to his son Henry Becher the younger for and during his natural life etc Henry Turner, Richard Turner and John Roberts my executors. Lastly I give to each of them 5 pounds to buy a mourning ring....I put my hand and seal this 21 day of August 1708. Witnessed by Dive Downes, Bishop of Cork & Ross.

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He was educated in 1658 at Dublin University, Dublin, County Dublin, IrelandG.2 He fought in the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, as the Aide-de-Camp to King William III.1 He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Baltimore [Ireland] in 1692.2 He was Governor of the Island of Inisherkin, County Cork on 1 July 1692.2 He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Baltimore [Ireland] between 1696 and 1699.2 He lived at Aughadown, Skibbereen, County Cork, IrelandG.1 He lived at Sherkin Island, Skibbereen, County Cork, IrelandG.1 He held the office of Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Baltimore [Ireland] between 1703 and 1709.