#9724, Thomas FONNEREAU

Thomas was the first Fonnereau to be born in England. He was baptised at St Swithin's, Cannon Street, London. He remained unmarried throughout his life, but an affair with Elizabeth Rose resulted in a daughter, Elizabeth Mary Rose.

Thomas Fonnereau who had been left £40,000 by his father was MP for Sudbury in Suffolk from 1741 to 1768, voting reliably on the government side. Sudbury was renowned as a particularly corrupt seat, and therefore very expensive to contest. Thomas being the eldeet son inherited Christchurch on his father's death but as he failed to marry the mother of his daughter Elizabeth he had no legitimate male heir which meant the house passed to his younger brother Claudius.

Thomas was buried at St Margaret's, Ipswich.