Thomas Foley, 2nd Baron Foley was a British peer and politician.
Background
He was the eldest son of the first baron, another Thomas Foley. He represented Herefordshire from 1767 to 1774 and Droitwich from 1774 until he succeeded to his father"s peerage in 1777. When his father paid Foley"s debts in 1773 (mortgaging his estates), this Thomas conveyed his interest in the Stoke Edith estate to his father.
Career
However, this Thomas did not immediately become entitled to the estates, but only to an annuity. The balance of the income was applied to paying his debts. After his death in 1793, there were still unpaid debts, which the creditors exchanged for annuities terminating in 1808.
In the meantime it had been necessary to obtain two private Acts of Parliament (in 1778 and 1796) to enable the trustees to make sales of parts of the estates, grant leases, and otherwise deal with the settled estate.
Thomas Foley was known to his contemporaries as "Lord Balloon", because of his girth.
Membership
12th Parliament of Great Britain. 13th Parliament of Great Britain. 14th Parliament of Great Britain.