Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Lister, Thomas (1597-1668)
LISTER, THOMAS (1597–1668), parliamentary colonel, born in 1597, was eldest son of William Lister of Coleby Hall, Lincolnshire, by Grisell, daughter of William Rivett of Rowston in the same county. On 1 Nov. 1616 he was admitted of Gray's Inn (Foster, Register, p. 144). Robert, earl of Lindsey, gave him a commission on 5 July 1629 as captain of foot in the Lincolnshire militia (Sleaford session). During the civil war he became a lieutenant-colonel in the parliamentary army and deputy governor of Lincoln. In 1644 he served as high sheriff of Lincolnshire. He was elected M.P. for Lincoln on 24 May 1647, and sat until April 1653. On being appointed one of the commissioners to try the king, he attended the first day for a short time, after which he declined to act (Hist. MSS. Comm. 7th Rep. p. 120). He was nominated a member of the council of state on 13 Feb. 1651, and served on several committees (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1661). He represented Lincolnshire in Cromwell's parliaments from 1653 till 1656, and again from May 1659 until the overthrow of the Commonwealth, his name frequently occurring as one of the tellers in division. He was included in the exceptions to the Act of Oblivion, but on 24 June 1660 he petitioned the House of Lords that he might receive the benefit of the indemnity, on the ground that he had not been present when the king was tried and sentenced (Lords' Journals, xi. 118). Accordingly, on 29 Aug. following he was merely incapacitated for life from holding any office. Lister died at his house in Lincoln's Inn Fields, and was buried in the church of St. Paul, Covent Garden, on 10 Nov. 1668. He married at Lenton, Lincolnshire, on 6 Feb. 1621-2, Margaret, daughter of Sir William Armyn, knt., of Osgodby in that county. His wife was buried at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, on 14 Nov. 1661. He left no children, and his estates of Coleby Hall Manor, Downehall in Rippingale, Lincolnshire, and others, descended to his nephew, William Lister.
[Notes kindly supplied by Mrs. Arthur Tempest from the family papers; will registered in P.C.C. 142, Hene.]