Thomas was the second son of Gabriel Hesketh of Aughton in the county of Lancashire, and Jane, daughter of Sir Henry Halsall. He was educated at Cambridge and became a lawyer and Member of Parliament.

Thomas Hesketh, Sr., 82, of New Bedford, died Saturday, July 22, 2006, at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Claire T. (Goulet) Hesketh, married 59 years. He was the ...