Thomas Smythe (customer)

Thomas Smythe or Smith of London, Ashford and Westenhanger, Kent (1522–7 June 1591) was the collector of customs duties (also known as a "customer") in London during the Tudor period, and a member of parliament for five English constituencies. His son and namesake, Sir Thomas Smythe (died 1625), was the first governor of the East India Company, treasurer of the Virginia Company, and an active supporter of the Virginia colony.