Background
He was the fourth son of John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet and his wife Margaret Sackville, Baroness Clifford and inherited the title on the death in 1684 of his elder brother Richard Tufton, 5th Earl of Thanet.
He was the fourth son of John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet and his wife Margaret Sackville, Baroness Clifford and inherited the title on the death in 1684 of his elder brother Richard Tufton, 5th Earl of Thanet.
He served as hereditary High Sheriff of Westmorland from 1684 to 1729. He gained the rank of Captain in the service of the Troop of Horse. He succeeded to the title of 6th Earl of the Isle of Thanet, company
Kent on 27 April 1680.
He gained the rank of Colonel in 1685 in the service of the Regiment of Horse (5th Horse). He held the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Westmorland between 1685 and 1687.
He held the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Cumberland between 1685 and 1687. He succeeded to the title of 18th Lord Clifford on 12 December 1691, resolved by the House of Lords.
He was invested as a Privy Counsellor (Personal Computer) from 1703 to 1707 and 1711 to 1714.
He held the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Cumberland between 1712 and 1714. They had eight children, five of whom reached adulthood:
John Tufton, Lord Tufton (b & d 29 April 1686)
Thomas Tufton, Lord Tufton (b & d 19 November 1690)
John Tufton, Lord Tufton (b & d 23 September 1691)
Lady Catherine Tufton (24 April 1693 – 13 February 1734), married on 21 March 1709 Edward Watson, Viscount Sondes
Lady Anne Tufton (d 22 March 1757), married on 12 February 1709 James Cecil, 5th Earl of Salisbury
Lady Margaret Tufton (16 June 1700 – 28 February 1775), married on 3 July 1718 Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester
Lady Mary Tufton (d 12 February 1785), married first Anthony Grey, Earl of Harold (d 1723), second on 16 May 1736 John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower
Lady Isabella Tufton (d 10 January 1764), married first Lord Nassau Powlett (d 1741), second Sir Francis Blake Delaval
In 1703, he was sworn a Privy Counsellor. A country gentleman and a Tory, he was noted by Swift for his "piety and charity."
The barony of Clifford again fell into abeyance until 1734.
Cavalier Parliament]
He held the office of Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Appleby between 1668 and 1679.