Henry Tufton, 11th Earl of Thanet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henry James Tufton, 11th Earl of Thanet (2 January 1775 – 18 June 1849) was a noted English cricketer of the 1790s. He was a wicketkeeper-batsman who is believed to have been right-handed.
Henry Tufton belonged to an aristocratic family that was prominent in cricketing and other sporting circles. His parents were Sackville Tufton, 8th Earl of Thanet (1733–1786), and Mary Sackville (1746–1778), who was the daughter of Lord John Philip Sackville and the sister of John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset. Sackville and Dorset were famous patrons of Kent cricket. One of Tufton's older brothers was the Honourable John Tufton (1773–1799), who was also a noted amateur cricketer. Henry Tufton succeeded as 11th Earl of Thanet in April 1832.
Tufton made his debut in major cricket for Surrey and Sussex in a game against All-England at the original Lord's Cricket Ground in June 1793.
Arthur Haygarth in Scores and Biographies says of Tufton that he "was a successful batsman and wicket-keeper during his short career, which terminated when he was only twenty-six years of age. In the match between the Marylebone Club against the Thursday and Montpelier, July 13, 1796, he stumped six and caught two".
In all, Henry Tufton played in 77 major matches until July 1801. His final game was for MCC versus Homerton Cricket Club at the original Lord's Cricket Ground. He was still only 26 when he finished playing.
Haygarth adds that when Tufton "was travelling in France in 1803, he was seized on Napoleon's orders (along with the rest of the English) as a prisoner; nor did he on his return to England resume the game. He was at one time member of Parliament for Rochester".
Henry Tufton did not marry and was the last of the Earls of Thanet. He was buried in the family vault at Rainham Church in Kent. Haygarth says he had no monument and only an inscription on his coffin that stated:
-
- HENRY TUFTON,
- Earl of Thanet,
- Hereditary High Sheriff of the county of Westmorland,
- Late Lord Lieutenant of Kent,
- Died June 12, 1849
- IN THE 75TH YEAR OF HIS AGE
He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochester 1796–1802, for Appleby 1826–1832. He was Lord Lieutenant of Kent 1841-1846.[1]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Fresh Light on 18th Century Cricket by G B Buckley (FL18)
- Scores & Biographies, Volume 1 by Arthur Haygarth (SBnnn)
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Earl of Thanet |
High Sheriff of Westmorland 1832–1849 |
Succeeded by George Edward Wilson |
| Preceded by The Marquess Camden |
Lord Lieutenant of Kent 1840–1846 |
Succeeded by The Earl Cowper |
| Peerage of England | ||
| Preceded by Charles Tufton |
Earl of Thanet 1832–1849 |
Extinct |
