Major Thomas Beckford was a London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

 clothworker

Worshipful Company of Clothworkers

The Worshipful Company of Clothworkers was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1528, formed by the amalgamation of its two predecessor Companies, the Fullers and the Shearmen...

 and slopseller

Slopseller

A slopseller was an English merchant who sold slops or rough working dress. Typically these would be butchers' aprons or similar clothing. The term slop was applied to an early form of hose....

 who became Sheriff of London.

He was the son of Peter Beckford of Maidenhead

Maidenhead

Maidenhead is a town and unparished area within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, in Berkshire, England. It lies on the River Thames and is situated west of Charing Cross in London.-History:...

 and married the sister of Sir William Thomas and the widow of John Eversfield.

In 1672 he was granted £5,000 by the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

 in payment for cloth supplied to them.

He was knighted in 1677.

He was accused of malpractice by Sir Francis North

Francis North

Francis North may refer to:*Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford *Francis North, 2nd Baron Guilford *Francis North, 3rd Baron Guilford *Francis North, 4th Earl of Guilford...

.