Sir Thomas Woollaston White, 1st Baronet
Encyclopedia
Thomas Woollaston White (died 28 October 1817) was the eldest son and heir of Taylor and Sarah White. Prior to inheriting his father’s substantial estate and fortune, he occupied himself primarily with the army and militia. In 1789 he was a lieutenant
in the 4th Light Dragoons.
When it appeared that an invasion of England by Napoleon was imminent Thomas twice raised, quartered, fed, clothed and armed a force of volunteers to help defend the nation. King
George III heard of these deeds and offered to share half of the cost from his privy purse, as he saw this as too much a burden for a private gentleman to bear. Thomas declined His Majesty’s generous offer, saying that he considered it the duty of every loyal gentleman to assist to the utmost of his means at such a crisis. He was subsequently rewarded by the King
with a Baronetcy being conferred upon him on 20 December 1802. Thomas was subsequently known as Sir Thomas White, Bt. of Tuxford
and Wallingwells
.
When the corps was raised, a barrack was erected in Wallingwells
Park. Some trees still stand which formed the corners of it. An oak tree is also shown at the side of the drive to Langold, in which a platform was erected. On this a sentry was posted day and night to watch for the lighting of the beacon on Gringley Hill, near Gainsborough, as a signal of the landing of the French. Two horses in the stable were kept constantly saddled, in readiness to send out to assemble the men. When the French camp at Boulogne was broken up and all fear of an invasion was past, the English Government decided to test through some part of the country the popular feeling, and to see whether there would be a general rising of the people. With this object they caused several beacons to be lighted, amongst which was Gringley. The alarm soon spread; the men of Sir Thomas’ regiment assembled at Wallingwells
at once, and were marched to Doncaster, the place of rendezvous. Here they learnt that the French had not landed, and after Sir Thomas had treated them to breakfast and given them a guinea a piece - he dismissed them to their homes.
The corps raised by Sir Thomas eventually became what is today known as ‘S’ Squadron (Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
Cavalry), The Royal Yeomanry
.
Sir Thomas was at the same time Colonel
of the 3rd Nottinghamshire Militia.
As well as his military life, Thomas was a keen sportsman and kept a substantial stable and hawking establishment at Wallingwells
. These met most days of the week and his house was renowned for its hospitality.
On 3 January 1801 Thomas married Elizabeth Blagg, daughter of W. Blagg of Tuxford
. They had 11 children, of whom 7 died young.
Sir Thomas died of heart disease after an hour’s illness on 28 October 1817. He was buried in the new vault in the White Chapel at Tuxford
Church. His widow, Elizabeth lived until her death on 16 July 1850 at Tuxford
Hall.
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the 4th Light Dragoons.
When it appeared that an invasion of England by Napoleon was imminent Thomas twice raised, quartered, fed, clothed and armed a force of volunteers to help defend the nation. King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
George III heard of these deeds and offered to share half of the cost from his privy purse, as he saw this as too much a burden for a private gentleman to bear. Thomas declined His Majesty’s generous offer, saying that he considered it the duty of every loyal gentleman to assist to the utmost of his means at such a crisis. He was subsequently rewarded by the King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
with a Baronetcy being conferred upon him on 20 December 1802. Thomas was subsequently known as Sir Thomas White, Bt. of Tuxford
Tuxford
-Geography:Tuxford is a village and a civil parish on the southern edge of the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England. It may also be considered a small town as it was historically a market town. Nearby larger towns are Retford and Newark-on-Trent. From Harvest Cottage, near the ECML, the...
and Wallingwells
Wallingwells
Wallingwells is a small civil parish and hamlet in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England, with a population at the 2001 census of 22...
.
When the corps was raised, a barrack was erected in Wallingwells
Wallingwells
Wallingwells is a small civil parish and hamlet in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England, with a population at the 2001 census of 22...
Park. Some trees still stand which formed the corners of it. An oak tree is also shown at the side of the drive to Langold, in which a platform was erected. On this a sentry was posted day and night to watch for the lighting of the beacon on Gringley Hill, near Gainsborough, as a signal of the landing of the French. Two horses in the stable were kept constantly saddled, in readiness to send out to assemble the men. When the French camp at Boulogne was broken up and all fear of an invasion was past, the English Government decided to test through some part of the country the popular feeling, and to see whether there would be a general rising of the people. With this object they caused several beacons to be lighted, amongst which was Gringley. The alarm soon spread; the men of Sir Thomas’ regiment assembled at Wallingwells
Wallingwells
Wallingwells is a small civil parish and hamlet in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England, with a population at the 2001 census of 22...
at once, and were marched to Doncaster, the place of rendezvous. Here they learnt that the French had not landed, and after Sir Thomas had treated them to breakfast and given them a guinea a piece - he dismissed them to their homes.
The corps raised by Sir Thomas eventually became what is today known as ‘S’ Squadron (Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry is one of the five squadrons of the Royal Yeomanry , an armoured regiment of the Territorial Army. Designated as 'S' Squadron, the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry's current role is to support the Formation Reconnaissance Regiments and the Joint Chemical Biological Nuclear...
Cavalry), The Royal Yeomanry
Royal Yeomanry
The Royal Yeomanry is an armoured regiment of the Territorial Army consisting of five squadrons and a military band:*A Squadron *B Squadron...
.
Sir Thomas was at the same time Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the 3rd Nottinghamshire Militia.
As well as his military life, Thomas was a keen sportsman and kept a substantial stable and hawking establishment at Wallingwells
Wallingwells
Wallingwells is a small civil parish and hamlet in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England, with a population at the 2001 census of 22...
. These met most days of the week and his house was renowned for its hospitality.
On 3 January 1801 Thomas married Elizabeth Blagg, daughter of W. Blagg of Tuxford
Tuxford
-Geography:Tuxford is a village and a civil parish on the southern edge of the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England. It may also be considered a small town as it was historically a market town. Nearby larger towns are Retford and Newark-on-Trent. From Harvest Cottage, near the ECML, the...
. They had 11 children, of whom 7 died young.
- Thomas Woollaston, his heir, 3 October 1801 – 7 August 1882
- Sarah, 27 November 1802 – 3 February 1810
- Anne, 15 June 1804 – 12 August 1804
- Taylor, 9 June 1805 – 8 June 1853
- Anne, 15 June 1807 – 11 October 1874
- Lydia, 2 April 1809 – 6 February 1810
- Frances, 2 April 1809 – 11 February 1810
- Sarah, 24 January 1811 – 4 January 1879
- Lydia, 4 May 1814 – 12 November 1827
- Charles Lawrence, 30 April 1815 – 30 July 1818
- Frances, 17 June 1816 – 12 April 1817
Sir Thomas died of heart disease after an hour’s illness on 28 October 1817. He was buried in the new vault in the White Chapel at Tuxford
Tuxford
-Geography:Tuxford is a village and a civil parish on the southern edge of the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England. It may also be considered a small town as it was historically a market town. Nearby larger towns are Retford and Newark-on-Trent. From Harvest Cottage, near the ECML, the...
Church. His widow, Elizabeth lived until her death on 16 July 1850 at Tuxford
Tuxford
-Geography:Tuxford is a village and a civil parish on the southern edge of the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, England. It may also be considered a small town as it was historically a market town. Nearby larger towns are Retford and Newark-on-Trent. From Harvest Cottage, near the ECML, the...
Hall.