Thomas Phipps

Thomas Phipps (c. 1648 – 1715) was an English merchant who became briefly a Member of Parliament for, first, Wilton and, secondly, Westbury.

Origins

Thomas Phipps was the second son of Thomas Phipp of Westbury, Wiltshire, whose family had emerged as prominent clothiers in the 16th century. Phipps himself sought his fortune in London, becoming involved in trading to the East Indies, West Africa and New England.

Political career

Having acquired an estate in west Wiltshire, Phipps was elected to Parliament in January 1701 as member for Wilton, but did not contest the seat at the general election in November 1701. In July 1702 he was elected as member for Westbury, but was swiftly unseated on petition. Thereafter, he played little active role in politics, though he gave evidence to the House of Commons in 1712 in defence of the Royal African Company.[1]

Personal life

Phipps married Bridget, daughter of Peter Short, a merchant tailor. Among their children, James Phipps was Captain-General of the Royal African Company at Cape Coast Castle between 1719 and 1722,[2] while William Phipps was Governor of Bombay between 1722 and 1729.

Towards the end of his life, Phipps suffered a number of financial reverses. He died in 1715.[1]

References
  1. The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1690-1715, ed. D.Hayton, E.Cruickshanks, S.Handley, 2002
  2. David Henige, “Companies are always ungrateful”: James Phipps of Cape Coast, a victim of the African trade, African Economic History, no.9 (1980), at pp.27-47
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