Thomas Clifford, 1st Baron Clifford of Chudleigh

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Thomas Clifford, 1st Baron Clifford of Chudleigh (1 August 1630 - 17 October 1673), English statesman and politician, was created the first Baron Clifford of Chudleigh on April 22 1672 for his suggestion that the King supply himself with money by stopping, for one year, all payments out of the Exchequer.

He was born in Ugbrooke, the son of Hugh Clifford of Chudleigh, Devon, and his wife Mary, daughter of Sir George Chudleigh, Bt. He was baptised 4 August 1630 at Ugbrooke, and matriculated at Exeter College (Oxford), receiving his B.A. there in 1650.

Political and Public Life

He became a barrister of the Middle Temple and an MP for Totnes in 1660-1672. He distinguished himself in naval battles, and was knighted. He became Comptroller of the Household in 1666 and a member of the Privy Council. At the end of the Dutch war in 1669 he intrigued against the peace treaty, preferring the French interests. He was one of the five Counsellors who formed the Cabal, though he was probably the least important of them.

He was Lord High Treasurer from 28 November 1672 to June 1673, when, as a Roman Catholic, he found himself unable to comply with the Test Act and resigned.

He died by his own hand (perhaps "strangled with his cravatt upon the bed-tester") a few months after his retirement.

Family and Children

His father: Hugh Clifford of Chudleigh, Devon and Ugbrooke His mother: Mary, daughter of Sir George Chudleigh, 1st Bt Chudleigh of Ashton. He married Elizabeth Martin, who died in 1709. She was the daughter of Richard (William) Martin of Lindridge, Devon. They had fifteen children, eight of which where daughters:

1. Elizabeth Clifford, born before 1655, died as infant.
2. Hon. Elizabeth Clifford, born 1655, died 1677, married in 1673 Henry Carew, 2nd Baronet Carew of Haccombe. They had no issue (?).
3. Hon. Mary Clifford, born 1658, died October 9 1715, married in 1673 Sir Simon Leach of Cadeleigh. They had no issue (?).
4. Hon. Amy Clifford, born 1661, died (?), married in October 1681 John Courtenay of Molland. They had no issue (?).
5. Hon. Anne Clifford, born 1662, died 1678.
6. Hon. Rhoda Clifford, born 1665, died 1689.
7. (Hon.) Isabel Clifford, born between 1665 and 1669, died as infant.
8. Hon. Catherine Clifford, born 1670, died 1708.

And their sons were:

1. Thomas Clifford, born before 1652, died as infant.
2. Thomas Clifford, born before 1652, died as infant.
3. Thomas Clifford, born on December 3 1652, died in 1671 in Florence, Italy.
4. George Clifford, born between 1653 and 1662, died as infant
5. Hugh Clifford, 2nd Baron Clifford of Chudleigh (1663-1730)
6. Hon Simon Clifford, born 1666, died ?, acceeded in 1686.
7. Hon. Charles Clifford, born 1671, baptized on June 24 1671, died on July 4 1691, buried in Ugbrooke.

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