HERNE, Thomas (1674-1716), of St. Michael Bassishaw, London

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17 Dec. 1706 - 1708
1708 - 1710

Family and Education

b. 12 Dec. 1674, 6th but 3rd surv. s. of Sir Nathaniel Herne†, and bro. of Frederick* and Nathaniel Herne*.  unm.1

Offices Held

Cttee. Old E. I. Co. 1703–4, 1708–9.2

Manager, Million lottery 1711.3


As a junior member of one of London’s great merchant families, Herne specialized in the Turkey trade although his business concerns were less conspicuous than those of his elder brothers. He became a manager of the Old East India Company in 1703 but unlike his siblings he was much less active and influential in the company’s affairs and lost his place on the board the following year. He was not without parliamentary aspirations, however, and a seat was found for him at Bodmin in a by-election in 1706, where he came in on the interest of the local Hoblyn family. He was marked as a Tory in a list compiled early in 1708, but the presence of his two brothers in the House during his term in Parliament makes it impossible to extract his own record of activity from the Journals. In the 1708 election he was put up by John Trevanion*, a High Tory, at Tregony, having regained his position on the East India board. He voted against the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell in 1710, but did not stand in the following general election. He was one of the managers of the lottery chosen by the House in 1711 but was not reappointed in 1712. He died on 26 Sept. 1716, having bequeathed his estate to his elder brother Nathaniel, and was buried at St. Dionis Backchurch.4

Ref Volumes: 1690-1715

Author: Andrew A. Hanham


  • 1. Reg. St. Olave Jewry (ex inf. A. F. Britton); Le Neve’s Knights (Harl. Soc. viii) 291–2.
  • 2. Add. 38871 (unfol.).
  • 3. Add. 70155, ff. 34–45.
  • 4. Hist. Reg. Chron. 1716, p. 544; info. from A. F. Britton; PCC 178 Fox.