Background
He was the eldest son of Henry Pakenham, of Pakenham Hall, County Westmeath, and his first wife Mary Lill.
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Thomas Pakenham
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Education
He was educated at the University of Dublin and entered Lincoln"s Inn in 1674.
Career
He was the grandfather of the first Baron Longford. The Pakenham family, originally from Suffolk, had come to Ireland about 1575, in the entourage of Sir Henry Sidney, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, to whom they were closely related, and acquired substantial lands in Westmeath and County Wexford. He was called to the Irish bar and became King"s Counsel in 1685.
He was a barrister of repute, and enjoyed the patronage of Charles Porter, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
In 1692 he was recommended for promotion as one of the three serjeants-at-law, being described as "the fittest that can be picked on for the King"s service". He became Second Serjeant, with a knighthood, and was made Prime Serjeant in 1695, on Porter"s recommendation, holding that office until his death in 1703.
He was Member of Parliament for Augher 1695-1699. Thomas Pakenham, 1st Baron Longford.
