CATESBY, Thomas (d.1592), of Whiston, Northants.

Catesby succeeded to a number of manors in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, but in contrast to his father, played little part in county affairs. No connexion with the 3rd Earl of Derby or with his estranged countess (beyond the fact that one of his sisters married Edward Onley) has been discovered: if Catesby had backing for his return at Brackley and Northampton, it may have been from his brother-in-law Christopher Yelverton, recorder of Northampton. Catesby settled the reversion of Whiston on his son George at the latter’s marriage in 1591, and died the following year, seised of that manor and other lands inherited and purchased. No will has been found.

It is possible that the 1584 Northampton MP was the nephew and namesake of Thomas Catesby of Whiston, namely Thomas Catesby of Hardmead, Buckinghamshire and Ecton, Northamptonshire, but he would have been too young to sit in 1571.1Vis. Northants. ed. Metcalfe, 174; PCC 39 Holney; CPR, 1563-6, p. 95; Vis. Northants. (Harl. Soc. lxxxvii), 43; Bridges, Northants. i. 16; ii. 143-4; C3/269/43; VCH Northants. iv. 289; C142/932/73.