Family and Education
b. 26 Sept. 1656, 5th but 1st surv. s. of Robert Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury, and bro. of Hon. Robert Bruce. educ. privately; travelled abroad 1679. m. (1) 24 Aug. 1676, Lady Elizabeth Seymour (d. 12 Jan. 1697), da. of Henry, Lord Beauchamp, and h. to her bro. William, 3rd Duke of Somerset, 4s. (3 d.v.p.) 2da.; (2) 27 Apr. 1700, Charlotte Jacqueline (d. 13 July 1710), da. and h. of Louis Conrad, Comte d’Esneux, 1da. suc. fa. as 2nd Earl of Ailesbury 20 Oct. 1685.
Offices Held
Commr. for assessment, Beds. and Bedford 1679 – 80; dep. lt. Beds. 1679 – 85, Hunts. 1685, Cambs. 1685 – 89; col. of militia ft. Beds. by 1680 – ?85; j.p. Oxon. 1680 – 83, Berks. 1680 – 89, Beds. 1681 – 89; ld. lt. and custos rot. Beds. and Hunts. 1685 – 89; recorder, Bedford 1685 – 89; high steward, Huntingdon 1686-Oct. 1688.
Gent. of the bedchamber Jan. – Feb. 1685, Oct. 1685-Dec. 1688.
Capt. Earl of Peterborough’s Horse 1685–6.
Main residence: Tottenham House, Wilts.
Notes
This biography is based on the Ailesbury Mems.
Volume
Commons 1660-1690
Web Title
BRUCE, Thomas (1656-1741)
Will
Estates
Oxford 1644
No
Addresses
Religion
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