Thomas Howard (1651–1701)

Sir Thomas Howard (1651–1701) was the only surviving son of Sir Robert Howard of Ashtead, Surrey.

He served as a Teller of the Exchequer from 1689 until his death, a post that provided him with a house at Westminster. He was Member of Parliament for Castle Rising from 1685 to 1689 and from 1698 until his death, his father having the seat before him and in the intervening period. He sat for Bletchingley in the two periods between sitting for Castle Rising.

He married Lady Diana, daughter of Francis Newport, 1st Earl of Bradford in 1683, by whom he had three sons and a daughter. Only one son survived him, dying the year after him aged 14. His daughter Diana married (in 1703) Edward Ward, 8th Baron Dudley and 3rd Baron Ward, who died in 1704, leaving her pregnant with a posthumous son, who succeeded his father in the Dudley estates, but died in 1731 without issue.

His grave in Ashtead church is by William Stanton.