Dep. lt. Dorset 1674 – May 1688, Oct. 1688–?d., commr. for assessment 1677 – 80, 1689 – 90, j.p. 1678 – June 1688, Nov. 1688–?d., capt. of militia ft. by 1679, maj. by 1686, lt.-col. Dec. 1688, commr. for rebels’ estates 1686; freeman, Poole 1691; commr. for Chelsea Hosp. 1715–d.
Col. new regt. of ft. 1689 – 98, (later 19 Ft.) 1691 – 1709; brig. 1693; gov. Portsmouth 1694 – 1712, 1714 – 18; maj.-gen. 1696; c.-in-c. [I] 1701 – 05, Britain 1708 – 12; lt.-gen. 1703; col. of dgns. [I] 1704 – 05; gen. of ft. 1711.
PC [I] 1701; one of the lds. justices [I] 1702 – 03; PC 3 May 1705 – d.; lt. of the Ordnance 1705 – 12, 1714–18.
MP [I] 1703 – 13.
This biography is based on the family papers of Admiral of the Fleet the Hon. Sir Reginald Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax, deposited at Churchill College, Camb. and consulted there by courtesy of the Librarian.
ERLE, Thomas (c.1650-1720)