Smith, Thomas (1556 -1609)

Probably the stamp of Sir Thomas Smith, the son of Thomas Smith of Abingdon, Berkshire (who served as mayor in 1583–1584), and Joan Jennings.  He attended Abingdon School before entering Christ Church, Oxford, receiving his MA in 1578. He became secretary to Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex and, in 1587, was appointed Clerk of the Privy Council. On 30th September 1597, he received a grant of the Clerkship of Parliament, in succession to Anthony Wyckes alias Mason, the heir of Sir John Mason.  He kept aloof from Essex's intrigues and, on 29th November 1599, was sent by the Lords to summon the Earl before the Privy Council. On the accession of James I, he received further promotion, and was knighted at Greenwich on 20th May 1603  In in the following month he was granted the Latin Secretaryship for life, and the reversion to the Secretaryship of the Council of the North.  On 8th June 1604, he obtained the manor of Wing in Rutland and, in 1608, he was made Master of Requests.

He died on 27th November 1609 at his residence, afterwards Peterborough House in Parsons Green, Fulham, and was buried on 7th December in the chancel of Fulham Church, where a monument, with an inscription to his memory, is extant. 

He married Frances (1580-1663), daughter of William Brydges, 4th Baron Chandos, and sister of Grey, the 5th Baron. His only son, Robert, died a minor and his only daughter, Margaret, married Thomas, second son of Robert Carey, 1st Earl of Monmouth. Smith's widow married Thomas Cecil, 1st Earl of Exeter, and survived until 1663. Smith left £100 to the poor of Abingdon and a similar sum to the Bodleian Library.