FRANKLAND, Thomas (c.1683-1747), of Thirkleby Park, nr. Thirsk, Yorks.

Returned from 1713 for the family borough of Thirsk, Frankland from 1715 voted with the Government in all recorded divisions, except those on Lord Cadogan and the peerage bill, on which he voted with the Opposition. He lost his place on Walpole’s fall, after which his only recorded vote was with the Opposition on the Hanoverians in 1744. Classed in 1746 by the ministry as ‘doubtful’, he died 17 Apr. 1747, leaving all his property absolutely to his second wife, ‘a very pretty woman’, 40 years younger than himself, who was said to have ‘bedevilled’ the ‘superannuated old fool’.GEC Baronetage, iii. 143. The will was upset by the courts as made under undue influence and while of unsound mind; but under an earlier will, which was upheld, she inherited the Frankland property for her life. She held Thirkleby for 36 years, amassing a fortune of £35,000, which she left away from her husband’s family.Sir R. F. Payne-Gallwey, Ped. Frankland of Thirkleby.