Sir Thomas Grantham (bap. 1641 – 1718
[ non.br>‘Grantham, Sir Thomas (bap. 1641, d. 1718)’]
rev. Peter Le Fevre, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from History of the British Isles, British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') ...
'', Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008, accessed 8 Sept 2008) was an English tobacco trader and naval officer, commander of the naval fleet of the
British East India Company
The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company that was founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to Indian Ocean trade, trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (South A ...
.
In 1684 he was sent to
Bombay
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial centre, financial capital and the list of cities i ...
by the
King of England
The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers Constitutional monarchy, regula ...
to put down an insurrection led by the Company, who had set up a parallel government and assumed wide authority on the British people. After he landed in November 1684, he assumed control over the situation from Commander Keigwin and thus ending the standoff.
Grantham was also responsible for the strengthening of the walls of the
Mahim Fort
The Mahim Fort is a fort in Mahim in Mumbai, Maharashtra state, India. Strategically located in the Mahim Bay, the fort overlooks Worli to the south, Bandra to the north, and Mahim to the east. The origins of the fort are unclear, but it occup ...
against attacks by the
Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
who occupied the northern island of
Salsette
Salsette Island (, , Sashti) is an island in Konkan division of the state of Maharashtra, along India's west coast. Administratively known as the Mumbai Suburban district, Mira Bhayander and a portion of Thana (Thane) lie on it; making it ...
.
In 1676 Sir Thomas embarked for
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...
at the behest of then Governor Berkeley. He was made Admiral and knighted by King Charles II. Upon his arrival, he was sent up the James River to put an end to what has become known as "Bacon's Rebellion". By the time Sir Thomas encountered the rebels, their leader had died, and Sir Thomas quickly talked them into surrender on good terms. Unfortunately, promises of lenient treatment were not honored by Governor Berkeley who had most of the men hanged. Grantham died in London.
Works
*''An Historical Account of Some Memorable Actions, Particularly in Virginia; Also Against the Admiral of Algier, and in the East Indies: Perform'd for the Service of his Prince and Country'', By Sir Thomas Grantham, Kt, J Roberts, London MDCCXVI; Reprinted by Carlton McCarthy & Co., at the behest of the State of Virginia, with an introduction by R.A. Brock, Esquire, Secretary Virginia Historical Society, 1882
References
History of British India James Mill, vol 1, 1826
History of Mumbai
British East India Company Marine personnel
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