Thomas Kynaston

Son of Rev. Thomas Kynaston and Susanna Hooper, nee Torriano, father of Elizabeth Kynaston and husband of Ann Jones

Thomas was baptised at St Paul’s, Covent Garden on 7^th March 1733/34.

Thomas must have moved from London with his father to Panfield, Essex in the Spring of 1737 at the age of 3 - see notes on his father.

He attended Bishops Stortford School, Hertfordshire under Mr Wall.

He was admitted at Lincoln’s Inn on 25^th January 1749/50 at the age of 16. A year later he was admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge on 29^th January 1750/51. He matriculated and was a Scholar in 1751.

On 16^th February 1763, Thomas personally appeared at the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury to swear a Marriage Allegation. Thomas married Charlotte Hill on 22^nd February 1763.  Charlotte was aged 21 and 6 months and although from Hertfordshire, she was of the Parish of St Andrew, Holborn, London and Thomas, although of Lincoln’s Inn, London was of the Parish of St James, Westminster. Thomas and Charlotte had one son

Edward Kynaston, born on 29^th November 1763. Edward died on 1^st June 1775 and was buried at Panfield on “9^th June 1775 aged 12”

Following Charlotte’s death in 1763, probably in childbirth, Thomas, widow, married Ann Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones, Esq at All Hallows, Tottenham High Road, High Cross, London, on 20^th November 1766. The marriage was by Faculty Office Licence dated 16^th February 1766. Ann and her family were from Bristol, Gloucestershire and Thomas was still of Lincoln’s Inn, but the Parish of St Giles in the Fields.

Thomas and Ann had the following children

Thomas in 1784

In  1772 Thomas was a member of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce in London and his address was Chandos Street, Cavendish Square.

In 1782 he bought "The Grove" in Whitham in Essex from Lord Paisley, 7th Earl of Abercorn. The Grove was advertised for sale in 1782 as "a suitable abode for a person of distinction, or by taking down some part thereof, may be made an exceeding good house for a private Gentleman" Thomas was then a lawyer of Lincoln's Inn, London. It is reported that Thomas and his family had their own bath house beside the River Brain; cold water bathing was then a fashionable pursuit. Thomas also paid extra Hairpowder Tax so that their children and their butlers could were wigs as well as Thomas. Sadly, The Grove was demolished in 1932.

The Grove in 1900

On 30^th April 1794, Thomas, of The Grove,  was appointed Treasurer of the County Meeting.

About 1800,Thomas wrote to his son Roger the following letter  giving advice on his appointment to the command of a Regiment

Thomas died in Southampton Row, London on 13^th May 1804 aged 70, and his residence was given as “The Grove, Witham” - Gentleman’s Magazine. He presumably still had a “town” house as well as his Estate in the country.

Thomas's signature in 1801

His will, dated 4^th January 1804, was proved on 7^th June 1804:

He wished to be buried in “my vault” at Panfield, and mentioned property in Round Court, Strand and Lincoln’s Inn Fields.  He referred to a marriage settlement with his “present wife” Ann.  After her death, the house at Witham (Witham Grove) was to pass to his son Roger Kynaston. He mentioned his daughter Susanna and his son Charles Hayward Kynaston to whom he left money; also his daughter Mary, wife of Rev. William Groves.  He mentioned money left to him by his late Uncle Samuel Torriano and Samuel’s wife Mary, and also referred to his “friend and kinsman” Rev. Thomas Spencer.

In a codicil dated 28^th March 1804, he referred to some items left to his daughter Elizabeth by his Aunt Judith - see The children of Thomas Kynaston (1665) & Mary Bailey notes.

Various other references were made to trusts and two manors - Newland and Chipping in Witham, Essex.

Ann died on 22nd December 1809 at The Grove, Witham

School, University and Legal qualifications data comes from the Alumni Cantabrigiensis

Baptism and marriage data come from the relevant Parish Records.

Thomas Appears in list of members, [Society of Arts, 1772] A List of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce. London, January 23, 1772. [7400.d.96(2) Cambridge University Library], 1772, London. Printed by order of the Society. By W. Adlard and J. Browne, in Fleet-Street.

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