Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea 1578-1639

On 14th November 1572 [his father] Moyle Finch 1st Baronet [aged 22] and [his mother] Elizabeth Heneage 1st Countess Winchelsea [aged 16] were married.

On 13th June 1578 Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea was born to Moyle Finch 1st Baronet [aged 28] and Elizabeth Heneage 1st Countess Winchelsea [aged 21].

In 1609 Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea [aged 30] and Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea [aged 15] were married. He the son of Moyle Finch 1st Baronet [aged 59] and Elizabeth Heneage 1st Countess Winchelsea [aged 52]. They were fifth cousins.

On 18th December 1614 [his father] Moyle Finch 1st Baronet [aged 64] died. His son [his brother] Theophilius [aged 41] succeeded 2nd Baronet Finch of Eastwell in Kent.

In 1619 Theophilius Finch 2nd Baronet [aged 46] died. His brother Thomas [aged 40] succeeded 3rd Baronet Finch of Eastwell in Kent.

In 1623 [his mother] Elizabeth Heneage 1st Countess Winchelsea [aged 66] was created 1st Viscountess Maidstone with a remainder to her heirs male.

In 1628 [his son] Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Winchilsea was born to Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea [aged 49] and [his wife] Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea [aged 34]. He married 1. 21st May 1645 his half fourth cousin twice removed Diana Willoughby Countess Winchelsea, daughter of Francis Willoughby 5th Baron Willoughby of Parham and Elizabeth Cecil Baroness Willoughby of Parham 2. 1650 his third cousin Mary Seymour Countess Winchelsea, daughter of William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset and Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset, and had issue 3. 10th April 1673 Catherine Norcliffe Countess Winchelsea 4. 29th October 1681 Elizabeth Ayres Countess Winchelsea and had issue.

In 1628 [his mother] Elizabeth Heneage 1st Countess Winchelsea [aged 71] was created 1st Countess Winchilsea.

In 1629 [his son-in-law] William Strickland 1st Baronet [aged 33] and Frances Finch Lady Strickland were married. She the daughter of Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea [aged 50] and Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea [aged 35].

After 1633 [his son-in-law] William Waller [aged 36] and Anne Finch were married. She the daughter of Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea [aged 54] and Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea [aged 39]. They were sixth cousins.

On 23rd March 1634 [his mother] Elizabeth Heneage 1st Countess Winchelsea [aged 77] died. Her son Thomas [aged 55] succeeded 2nd Earl Winchilsea, 2nd Viscount Maidstone. [his wife] Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea [aged 40] by marriage Countess Winchilsea.

On 4th November 1639 Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea [aged 61] died. His son Heneage [aged 11] succeeded 3rd Earl Winchilsea, 3rd Viscount Maidstone, 4th Baronet Finch of Eastwell in Kent.

On 1st December 1642 [his former wife] Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea [aged 49] died.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 12th May 1660. This morning I inquired for my boy, whether he was come well or no, and it was told me that he was well in bed. My Lord called me to his chamber, he being in bed, and gave me many orders to make for direction for the ships that are left in the Downs, giving them the greatest charge in the world to bring no passengers with them, when they come after us to Scheveling Bay, excepting Mr. Edward Montagu [aged 12], Mr. Thomas Crew [aged 36], and Sir H. Wright [aged 23]. Sir R. Stayner [aged 35] hath been here early in the morning and told my Lord, that my Lord Winchelsea understands by letters, that the Commissioners are only to come to Dover, Kent [Map] to attend the coming over of the King. So my Lord did give order for weighing anchor, which we did, and sailed all day. In our way in the morning, coming in the midway between Dover and Calais, we could see both places very easily, and very pleasant it was to me that the further we went the more we lost sight of both lands. In the afternoon at cards with Mr. North [aged 24] and the Doctor. There by us, in the Lark frigate, Sir R. Freeman and some others, going from the King to England, come to see my Lord and so onward on their voyage. In the afternoon upon the quarterdeck the Doctor told Mr. North and me an admirable story called "The Fruitless Precaution", an exceeding pretty story and worthy my getting without book when I can get the book.[??] This evening came Mr. Sheply on board, whom we had left at Deal and Dover getting of provision and borrowing of money. In the evening late, after discoursing with the Doctor, &c., to bed.

[his daughter] Frances Finch Lady Strickland was born to Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea and Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea. She married 1629 William Strickland 1st Baronet and had issue.

[his daughter] Anne Finch was born to Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea and Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea. She married after 1633 her sixth cousin William Waller and had issue.

[his daughter] Cecily Finch was born to Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea and Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea. She married before 18th January 1697 her fifth cousin Erasmus Philipps 3rd Baronet, son of Richard Philipps 2nd Baronet.