Thomas Barnwall Martin (1784 – April 1847) was an Irish landowner and politician. Martin was the eldest surviving son of Richard Martin, humanitarian and

Member of Parliament A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members of ...

for Galway County, by his first wife Elizabeth Vesey. Following an unhappy conclusion to a love affair with the daughter of a local

chandler Chandler or The Chandler may refer to: * Chandler (occupation), originally head of the medieval household office responsible for candles, now a person who makes or sells candles * Ship chandler, a dealer in supplies or equipment for ships Arts ...

, Thomas left home to join the army. He served at the

Siege of Badajoz (1812) In the siege of Badajoz (16 March – 6 April 1812), also called the third siege of Badajoz, an Anglo-Portuguese Army under the Earl of Wellington (later the Duke of Wellington) besieged Badajoz, Spain, and forced the surrender of the F ...

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

in 1812, where he was wounded severely. Despite a personal commendation by the

Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, (1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852) was an Anglo-Irish soldier and Tory statesman who was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th-century Britain, serving twice as prime minister of ...

himself, Martin returned to

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

where he later married, inherited the family estate centred at

Ballynahinch Ballynahinch may refer to: Northern Ireland * Ballynahinch, County Armagh, a townland *Ballynahinch, County Down, a town Republic of Ireland *Ballynahinch (barony), in County Galway *Ballynahinch, County Galway, a townland in County Galway * Bally ...

Castle in Connemara, and successfully campaigned for his father's former seat in Parliament in 1832 and served in this position until his death. Martin died as a result of

famine fever Typhus, also known as typhus fever, is a group of infectious diseases that include epidemic typhus, scrub typhus, and murine typhus. Common symptoms include fever, headache, and a rash. Typically these begin one to two weeks after exposure. ...

, contracted while trying to save his tenants from the effects of the famine. His final words were "My God! What will become of my people?" He was married to Julia Kirwan, daughter of Patrick Kirwan of Dalgan Park. She had a dowry of £15,000. They had one daughter,

Mary Letitia Martin Mary Letitia Martin (1815–1850) was an Irish writer who was known as the "Princess of Connemara". Educated at home in the upper-class style, she was fluent in numerous languages. She published two books in her lifetime, and a third was published ...

(d. 30 October 1850), an author who married Arthur G. Bell.

References

* ''Humanity Dick'', Shevawn Lynam, 1975. * ''The Tribes of Galway'', by Adrian James Martyn,

Galway Galway ( ; ga, Gaillimh, ) is a City status in Ireland, city in the West Region, Ireland, West of Ireland, in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht, which is the county town of County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lo ...

, 2001. * ''The Parish church of St. Mary, Oughterard: The Background to Its Construction, with an Account of the Dispute Concerning Title to its Site'', James Mitchell, J.G.A.& H.S., Volume 54, 2002, pp. 35–54 * ''The Eccentric Member for Galway'', Peter Phillips, 2003. * ''The Battle of Rushveala: Origin and outcome of a faction fight at Oughterard, Co. Galway, on 8 December 1837'', James Mitchell, J.G.A.& H.S., Volume 55, 2003, pp. 72–85.

External links

* 1784 births 1847 deaths British Army officers British Army personnel of the Peninsular War Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for County Galway constituencies (1801–1922) Politicians from County Galway UK MPs 1832–1835 UK MPs 1835–1837 UK MPs 1837–1841 UK MPs 1841–1847 Irish duellists Irish officers in the British Army Deaths from typhus Infectious disease deaths in Ireland Whig (British political party) MPs for Irish constituencies {{Ireland-UK-MP-stub

See also

References

External links