Quick Facts
Biography
Hon. Thomas Watson, later known as Thomas Watson-Wentworth (17 June 1665 – 6 October 1723), was the third son of Edward Watson, 2nd Baron Rockingham. He married Alice Proby, a daughter of Sir Thomas Proby, 1st Baronet.
Life and career
In 1695, Watson inherited the fortune of William Wentworth, 2nd Earl of Strafford, including the Wentworth Woodhouse estate, as the son of the second Earl of Strafford's sister Anne. This was in preference to the earl's nearer relative, Thomas Wentworth, and it led to a fierce rivalry between the two men and their families. In recognition of the bequest, Watson adopted the name of Wentworth, becoming Thomas Watson-Wentworth thereafter.
He was a Member of Parliament for the Malton constituency from 1713 until 1722, and for Higham Ferrers in 1703–1714 and from 1722 until his death. He has a monument in York Minster.
His son was Thomas Watson-Wentworth, 1st Marquess of Rockingham, KB, PC (I) (13 November 1693 – 14 December 1750), a British peer and Whig politician.