HALES, Thomas (?1694-1762), of Bekesbourne, Kent.

Soon after George I’s accession Hales obtained a post in the household of the future George II, where he remained throughout the next reign. In 1722 he was returned for Minehead, near which his father had acquired an estate by marriage. At the next general election he was brought in by the Government for Camelford, after contesting Hythe unsuccessfully on the Duke of Dorset’s interest. Before the general election of 1734 he wrote to Dorset in Ireland, 22 Sept. 1733: ‘I am often questioned about my standing at Hythe, to which I always give a doubtful answer; when your Grace would have me give any other I hope you’ll let me know, and that your Grace did not forget Camelford before you left England, for I hear they are settling these boroughs now’.Sackville mss, Kent AO. In the end he was returned by the Administration for Grampound. On his defeat there in 1741, Lord John Sackville wrote to the Duke of Bedford, 11 June: ‘I am told a petition will be offered ... by Mr. Hales ... There has always been between his family and the Duke of Dorset such a particular friendship that I am afraid I must not vote against him.’Bedford mss. The petition was not proceeded with but he was later returned by Dorset for Hythe without opposition.

He died 6 Oct. 1762.