Thomas Gilbert (politician)

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Thomas Gilbert (c. 1719 – 18 December 1798) was a British lawyer, soldier, land agent and politician who sat in the House of Commons for many years, representing Newcastle-under-Lyme (1763–1768) and Lichfield (1768–1795).

Born in Cotton, Staffordshire, he studied law at the Inner Temple, was called to the bar in 1744, and later joined a regiment raised by Lord Gower. His first wife, Miss Phillips, whom he married around 1761–1762, won a large lottery prize; she died in 1770. He then married Mary Crauford, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel George Crauford.

Gilbert held several offices. In 1765 he became Comptroller of the Great Wardrobe (a sinecure) until it was abolished. He also served as Paymaster of the Fund for Securing Pensions to the Widows of Officers in the Navy. On 31 May 1784 he was appointed Chairman of the Committees of Ways and Means.

He was a strong advocate for poor relief. He proposed early ideas to group parishes for poor-law purposes and, in 1782, his name was associated with the Relief of the Poor Act. In 1787 he proposed grouping parishes for tax purposes and adding tolls on Sundays for turnpikes; he also pushed for limits on ale-houses in country districts and for ending imprisonment for small debts (1793). He worked on highway improvements and on conditions in factories and workhouses.

Thomas Gilbert died at Cotton in Staffordshire on 18 December 1798. He and his first wife had two sons; one joined the navy and the other became a clerk to the privy council. A chapel at Lower Cotton was built and endowed in his memory in 1795.