Person:Thomas Ridgeway (3)

Sir Thomas Ridgway, first Earl of Londonderry, was born either at Torwood or Tor Abbey, Devonshire, 1550-61, and died 1631. He was an illustrious man of his day. Queen Elizabeth, herself, knighted him as a golden knight, an honor seldom granted by her. He served as member of Parliament in the first Parliament called by King James in 1603, and in several subsequent Parliaments. He was vice-treasurer for wars in Ireland, commander-general and treasurer for wars in Ireland for more than nine years. He was created Baronet in 1611/12 by King James, Baron of Galen Ridgway in 1616, and Earl of Londonderry in 1622. King James speaks of him in 1616 as follows: "His well-beloved and faithful leige subject and counsellor Thomas Ridgway; Knight Baronet, descended of an ancient family and of his varied services as well as the time of our sister of happy memory, the late Queen Elizabeth, in the general naval expedition for the Island of Azores ... as also for the faithful and most acceptable services which needed in the time of our reign; not only in the matters of trust and serious consultation, but in our Parliaments of England and Ireland." Thomas married Cecily MacWilliams, sister and co-heiress of Henry MacWilliams. At one time she was maid of honor to Queen Elizabeth.