CHEKE, Thomas II (c.1590-c.1636), of Mottistone, I.o.W.; later of Crewkerne, Som.

Described by Sir John Oglander* as ‘a lewd son of a discreet father’ and ‘an idle, cock-witted fellow’, Cheke was elected with his father’s help for Yarmouth in 1614, having failed to impress the corporation of Whitchurch despite a letter of recommendation from the dean of Winchester, for whom his father acted as steward. Royalist’s Notebk. ed. F. Bamford, 140; Hants RO, 44M69/G2/41.">[footnote] He left no mark on the records of the Addled Parliament, and on his return from Westminster the Yarmouth corporation belatedly admitted him a freeman. Add. 5669, ff. 28, 46v.">[footnote] Four years later he inherited an estate heavily burdened with debt. Royalist’s Notebk. 140; PROB 11/131, f. 40.">[footnote] Precluded by his mayoralty from standing at the next election, he sold his estate in 1623, but did not leave the island for another two years. Oglander Mems. ed. W.H. Long, 76.">[footnote] He then moved to Somerset and was dead by 1636, when his will was proved at Taunton. Taunton Wills, 146.">[footnote]