Thomas Wood

Family and Education

b. 21 Apr. 1777, 1st s. of Thomas Wood of Littleton Park by Mary, da. and h. of Sir Edward Williams, 5th Bt., of Gwernyfed. educ. Harrow 1788-95; Oriel, Oxf. 1796. m. 23 Dec. 1801, Lady Caroline Stewart, da. of Robert, 1st Mq. of Londonderry [I], by 2nd w. Lady Frances Pratt, da. of Charles Pratt†, 1st Earl Camden, 7s. 3da. suc. mother 1820; fa. 1835. d. 26 Jan. 1860.

Biography

Thomas Wood (21 April 1777 - 26 January 1860 ) was an English Tory and later Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1806 to 1847.

Wood was the son of Thomas Wood and his wife Mary Williams, daughter and heiress of Sir Edward Williams of Langoid Castle and the grandson of Thomas Wood (1708-1799) and was educated at Harrow School (1788–95) and Oriel College, Oxford (1796). The family had accumulated considerable estates at Middleham, Yorkshire, Gwernyfed in Wales and Littleton and Astlam in Middlesex. He married Lady Caroline Stewart, daughter of Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry; they had 4 sons and 2 daughters. His son Colonel Thomas Wood was MP for Middlesex.

Wood commanded the Royal East Middlesex Regiment of Militia for fifty six years.

In 1806 Wood was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Breconshire. He held the seat until 1847. He was appointed High Sheriff of Breconshire for 1809–10.

Wood and his wife enjoyed the friendship of members of the royal family. George IV at visited the Woods at Gwernyfed and other royals visited them at Littleton. William IV nominated Wood to be one of his executors.

Wood remained colonel of the Militia and encamped with them at Aldershot in his eightieth year. He died at the age of 82.

Links and Sources

• History of Parliament Online
• wikipedia.org