Family and Education

b. 25 Nov. 1654, 1st surv. s. of Richard Vernon of Hanbury Hall by Jane, da. of Rev. Thomas Carter of Dinton, Bucks. educ. M. Temple 1672, called 1679, bencher 1703. m. (lic. 5 Jan. 1680) Mary, da. of Sir Anthony Keck, a Chancery lawyer and commr. of the great seal 1689, s.p. suc. fa. 1679.

Offices Held

Biography

Thomas Vernon’s family had been settled in Worcestershire since 1580, when his great-grandfather was presented to the rectory of Hanbury. He himself was an eminent Chancery lawyer, whose law notes were posthumously published under the direction of Lord Chancellors Macclesfield and King, and subsequently re-issued at Lord Eldon’s suggestion. In 1733 Lord Cobham suggested to Pope as an example of a ruling passion ‘Counsellor Vernon retiring to enjoy himself with £5000 a year which he had got, and returning to the Chancery to get a little more when he could not speak so loud as to be heard’.[footnote] Having greatly added to his family’s property in Worcestershire he was returned for that county as a Whig. A member of the secret committee set up by the House of Commons to inquire into the late peace negotiations, he voted with the Government, except on the peerage bill which he opposed. He died 5 Feb. 1721, leaving his property to Bowater Vernon, his first cousin once removed.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes