Herbert Edward Southwell and Emma Elizabeth Adcock

St. Mark's Church, Peterborough
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Paul Bryan - geograph.org.uk/p/4306299

Herbert Edward Southwell (b. 3 Mar 1863 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire), son of Alfred Southwell and Louisa Boyden, married Emma Elizabeth Adcock (b. 20 Sep 1864 in Peterborough), daughter of John Adcock and Sarah Ann Richards, at St Mark's Church, Peterborough on 17 Oct 1892. Witnesses to the marriage were John Adcock, bride's father, and Sarah Wright.

The couple do not appear to have had any children.

In 1901, living at 14 Belvoir Road, Bottesford, Leicestershire, were Herbert E Southwell (38) Assurance Agent and wife, Emma Southwell (36).

In 1911, they were living back in Werrington, Peterborough with Herbert (48) Insurance Agent, Emma (46) and mother-in-law, Sarah Ann Adcock (68).

Herbert Edward Southwell died on 19 Aug 1919, aged 56 (1919 S Quarter in PETERBOROUGH Volume 03B Page 191). Probate was granted to Emma.

In 1921, Emma Elizabeth Southwell (56) was living at Lincoln Road, Werrington, Gunthorpe, with her mother, Sarah Ann Adcock (78).

In 1939, Emma Elizabeth Southwell, Widow, was living at 199 Lincoln Road, Werrington. Living with her were Walter E Johnson, Automobile Engineer & Garage Proprietor and his wife, Ethel G Johnson (née Linley). 

Emma Elizabeth Southwell died on 26 Feb 1943 (1943 M Quarter in PETERBOROUGH Vol 03B Page 309). Probate was granted, on 3 Jun 1943; beneficiaries were Walter Ernest Johnson and Ethel Gertrude Johnson.

There is a post script to this couple's story. The Peterborough Standard of 3 Jul 1953 reports: New Pulpit Dedicated. "For the first time in its 800 year history, Werrington Church has a pulpit worthy of the beautiful surroundings. The dedication of the pulpit was performed on Saturday evening by Dr Spencer Leeson, Bishop of Peterborough. Other clergy in attendance were the Rev. F H Stallard, RD; the Rev. A Butterworth, the Rev. F Wesley Clifford and the Rev. G Murray Beard. The last pulpit installed in the late 19th century, is far surpassed in beauty by Leslie Moore's design in carved light oak."

On the inside of the pulpit are the words:

"To the Glory of God and in memory of Herbert Edward Southwell, died 19th August, 1919 and Emma Elizabeth Southwell, died 26th February, 1943. Dedicated by the Right Rev. Spencer Leeson, Lord Bishop of Peterborough, 27th June, 1953."

"Among the large congregation were several members of the Methodist Church, who had received a special invitation to attend. After the service the Bishop attended a reception in the Parish Hall."

Church of St. John The Baptist, Werrington
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Paul Bryan - geograph.org.uk/p/7123383

Thomas Willis and Mary Essex

All Saints' Church, Thorpe Malsor
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/6620224

Thomas Willis (bap. 19 Jan 1752 in Thorpe Malsor), son of William and Elizabeth Willis, married Mary Essex on 13 Oct 1778 at All Saints Church, Thorpe Malsor, Northamptonshire. Thomas and Mary had nine children, all of whom were baptised at Thorpe Malsor, All Saints:

1. William Willis bap. 2 Jan 1780
2. Elizabeth Willis bap. 7 Apr 1782
3. Mary Willis bap. 18 Jul 1784
4. Ann Willis bap. 26 Mar 1786
5. Maria Willis bap. 24 May 1789
6. Joseph Willis bap. 25 Apr 1791
7. Thomas Willis bap. 11 Feb 1792
8. John Willis bap. 24 May 1795
9. Lucey (sic) Willis bap. 15 Jan 1797

It is clear that they named the first two children after Thomas' parents and therefore appear to follow common family convention on naming. Particularly interesting and unusual is that there are both a Mary and a Maria - that these are NOT interchangeable to the same person. Maria Willis and her husband, Solomon Thompson, do this too and re-use many of these same names, adding another reason for accepting this as the correct family.

Mary Willis, wife of Thomas Willis, was buried on 10 Feb 1799.

Thomas Willis was buried in Thorpe Malsor on 25 Feb 1814.

Benjamin Thompson and Sarah Munn

Pytchley Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian Rob - geograph.org.uk/p/5413142

Benjamin Thompson (purportedly b. ~1723 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), married Sarah Munn, both of the parish of Cransley, on 8 Oct 1744 at All Saints Church, Pytchley, Northamptonshire. This pair of my 6th great-grandparents are the earliest of this line that I can confirm [so far]. 

Benjamin and Sarah had four children:

1. Solomon Thompson Sr bap. 25 Aug 1745
2. Priscilla Thomson bap. 6 Mar 1748
3. Sarah Thompson bap. 28 Apr 1751
4. William Thompson bap. 24 Jun 1753

All were baptised at St Andrew's Church, Cransley.

There are suggestions that Sarah Munn was born in 1725 and died in 1788, however, I have not yet seen any records to confirm this. So far, I've been unable to confirm any further records for this couple.

Benjamin Thompson | Sarah Munn

John Adcock and Sarah Ann Richards

Interior, St John the Baptist Church, Peterborough
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Julian P Guffogg - geograph.org.uk/p/5211727

John Adcock (b. 1839 in Stamford, Lincolnshire), Joiner of Cumbergate, Peterborough, eldest son of James Adcock and Mary Hill, married Sarah Ann Richards (b. 1843 in Peterborough), daughter of John Richards and Ellen Davis, at St John the Baptist Church, Peterborough on 2 Sep 1861. 

John and Sarah had four children:

1. Unnamed female child b. 1861 D Quarter in PETERBOROUGH Volume 03B Page 191 (Clearly, this child didn't survive)
2. Emma Elizabeth Adcock b. 20 Sep 1864 D Quarter Vol 03B Page 208
3. John James Adcock b. 1869 J Quarter in PETERBOROUGH Volume 03B Page 205 (Died, aged 20, in 1889 J Quarter Volume 03B Page 137)
4. Annie Louisa Adcock b. 1872 J Quarter in PETERBOROUGH Volume 03B Page 262 (Died, aged 8, in 1880 S Quarter Vol 03B Page 145)

In 1871, living in Swan Place, Peterborough, were John Adcock (32), Joiner, with Sarah A Adcock (28), Emma E Adcock (6) and John J Adcock (2).

In 1881, at 121, Cromwell Road, Peterborough were John Adcock (42) Carpenter and Joiner, Sarah Ann Adcock (38), Emma Elizabeth Adcock (16) Shop Assistant and John James Adcock (12) Scholar.

In 1891, at 303, Cromwell Road, Peterborough, were John Adcock (52) "Joiner Foreman", Sarah Ann Adcock (48) and Emma Elizabeth Adcock (26).

In 1901, still at 303, Cromwell Road, Peterborough, there are just John Adcock (62) Foreman Joiner, with wife Sarah Ann Adcock (58). 

John Adcock died, at 68, on 8 May 1907 (1907 J Qtr in PETERBOROUGH Volume 03B Page 121). Probate was granted on 19 Jun 1907 to his widow, Sarah Ann Adcock and daughter, Emma Elizabeth Southwell. Also mentioned on the probate record was Herbert Edward Southwell, his son-in-law.

In 1911, Sarah Ann Adcock (68) was living with her daughter and son-in-law, Herbert and Emma Southwell, in Werrington, Peterborough.

In 1921, Sarah Ann Adcock (78) was living with her daughter, Emma Elizabeth Southwell (56) at Lincoln Road, Werrington, Gunthorpe, Northamptonshire.

Sarah Ann Adcock died on 26 Dec 1926, aged 83 (1926 D Quarter in PETERBOROUGH Volume 03B Page 254). Probate was granted on 27 Jan 1931 to her daughter Emma Elizabeth Southwell.

Samuel Mobbs and Lydia Adcock

All Saints' Church, Pytchley, Northamptonshire
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Jeffrey - geograph.org.uk/p/7904931

Samuel Mobbs (bap. 13 Oct 1808 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire), Batchelor, son of William Mobbs and Ann Jones married Lydia Adcock (bap. 12 Nov 1807 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire), Spinster, daughter of Joseph Adcock and Sarah Cook, at All Saints Church, Pytchley, Northamptonshire on 26 Aug 1830. Witnesses were Daniel Tompson and Mary Adcock (a pair of my 3x great-grandparents who married in 1832). Mary was Lydia's sister.

Samuel and Lydia Mobbs had nine children:

1. Benjamin Mobbs bap. 3 Jul 1831 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire
2. Joseph Adcock Mobbs bap. 12 Apr 1833 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire
3. William Adcock Mobbs bap. 13 Mar 1836 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire
4. George Mobbs b. 22 Jun 1838 (1838 J Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 275), bap. 22 Jul 1838 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire
5. Edward Thomas Mobbs b. 1840 D Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 271 (mother's maiden name listed as HADCOCK), bap. 31 Jan 1841 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire
6. Louisa Mobbs b. 1843 J Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 282 (as Casia Mobbs and mother's maiden name listed as HADCOCK), bap. 3 Aug 1843 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire 
7. Samuel Mobbs b. 1846 J Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 295, bap. 26 Apr 1846 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire
8. James Adcock Mobbs b. 1848 D Quarter in KETTERING Volume 15 Page 255, bap. 25 Dec 1848 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire
9. Mary Elizabeth Cook Mobbs b. 1852 D Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 140

On birth registrations for George, Samuel, James and Mary, mother's maiden name is correctly listed as ADCOCK. Baptisms give the parent's names as Samuel and Lydia. Found no baptism for Mary Elizabeth Cook Mobbs.

Son Samuel's marriage in 1872, lists his father's occupation as Gardner.

In 1841, Samuel Mobbs (~30), Lydia Mobbs (~30), Benjamin (10), Joseph (8), William Ad[cock] (5), George (2), Edward Thos (0) and James Phillips (20) [Presumably a Lodger] were living in Pytchley, Northamptonshire.

In 1851, and still in Pytchley, Northamptonshire, were Samuel Mobbs (42), Lydia Mobbs (43), Benjamin Mobbs (19), Joseph A Mobbs (17), George Mobbs (12), Edward Mobbs (10), Louisa Mobbs (7), Samuel Mobbs (5) and James A Mobbs (2). William [Adcock] Mobbs (15), listed as their Nephew, was staying with his uncle George Mobbs and family, also in Pytchley.

Samuel Mobbs died, aged 50, on 3 Jun 1859 (1859 J Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 106) and was buried, on 7 Jun 1859 at All Saints, Pytchley. Probate was granted on 25 Feb 1860 to a Richard Lane.

In 1861, Lydia Mobbs (53) Widowed, was still living in Pytchley Village with George Mobbs (22), Louisa Mobbs (18), Samuel Mobbs (15), James Adcock Mobbs (12), Mary Elizabeth Cook Mobbs (8) and George Mead (20), Lodger.

Lydia Mobbs died, at 62, in 1870 J Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 113 and was buried in Pytchley on her son George's birthday, 22 Jun 1870.

Dan Tompson and Mary Ann Green

Junction of Cable Street and Watney Street, Shadwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robin Stott - geograph.org.uk/p/6067988

Dan Thompson (b. 12 Oct 1848 in Broughton, Northamptonshire), son of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, at 19, married Mary Ann Green (b. 3 Jul 1849 in Bethnal Green), 18, daughter of Edward Green and Eliza Goodman, at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Limehouse (bombed in 1940 and since demolished) on 15 Aug 1867. Witnesses to their marriage were Robert Davis and Harriet Blundell (in 1861, Harriet, then 12, had been a visitor in the household of Mary Ann's parents, so may have been family.)

Dan and Mary Ann had two children:

1. Eliza Louisa Tompson b. 24 Aug 1868 at 299 Cable Street (1868 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 417)
2. Dan Edward Green Tompson b. 12 Mar 1870 (1870 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 466). Died 1870 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 288.

In 1851, Dan (2), naturally, was with his parents, in Broughton, but following his father's death in 1854, by 1861, Dan (12) was living in the household of his eldest brother, George Thompson (b. 1836), who appeared to have taken over the family carpentry business in Broughton, along with their widowed mother, Mary Thompson (née Adcock). Dan's brother Benjamin (19) was then living with their aunt and uncle, in St George in the East, Middlesex. So it's presumably as a result of this latter connection that Dan also went to London and it seems to be that when the brothers reach the East End they drop the aitch from Thompson. My mother always insisted it was Tompson.

Mary Ann Tompson, wife of Dan Tompson, Bricklayer (present at the death), died on 19 Mar 1870 at 363 Cable Street, St George in the East, after giving birth to their son. The causes listed on Mary Ann's death certificate state "Childbirth 7 days, Scarlet Fever 4 days, exhaustion". She was just 20.

In April 1871, the widowed Dan Tompson (22) was lodging in Cable Street, while his daughter Eliza Louisa (2) (listed as Thompson), was living with her widowed maternal grandmother, Eliza Green, then landlady at The King and Queen Public House in Tait Street, St George in the East (Wapping).

On 4 June 1871, Dan Tompson (23) remarried to Sarah Jane Baker (19), daughter of Charles Hoile Baker and Amelia Young, at Christ Church, Watney Street, Stepney (four of the five Tompson siblings married in this church). Witnesses were Charles Richard Baker, Sarah Jane's brother; Amelia Baker, who was either her mother or sister and Louisa Tompson, Dan's sister.

Dan and Sarah Jane went on to have a further TWELVE children:

1. Amelia Mary Tompson b. 1872 D Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 473 (Died, aged 1, in 1874 M Qtr in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C 399)
2. Jessie Elizabeth Tompson b. 1874 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C Page 597 (Died, aged 1, in 1876 M Qtr in Vol 01C Page 433)
3. Sarah Sophia Tompson b. 9 Oct 1876 (1876 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 523), bap. 5 Jun 1895 in Waddesdon
4. Mabel Grace Tompson b. 6 Aug 1878 (1878 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 443), bap. 25 Dec 1890 in Waddesdon
5. Mary Adcock Tompson b. 1880 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 371 (Died, aged 1, in 1881 J Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 280)
6. Dan Baker Tompson b. 1882 D Quarter in ST: GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 385 (Died 1883 J Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 274)
7. Charles Frederick Tompson b. 1884 M Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 409 (Died, aged 3, in 1887 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 451)
8. George Daniel Tompson b. 1885 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 349, bap. 25 Dec 1890 in Waddesdon
9. Ernest Wilberforce Tompson b. 1888 D Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 641 (Died, aged 1, in 1890 J Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 81)
10. Amelia Mary Tompson b. 14 Nov 1890 (1890 D Quarter in AYLESBURY Volume 03A Page 648), bap. 25 Dec 1890 in Waddesdon
11. Ellen Hoile Folville Tompson b. 22 May 1893 (1893 S Quarter in MELTON MOWBRAY Volume 07A Page 323), bap. 5 Jun 1895 in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire
12. Ivy Maud Tompson b. 23 Feb 1895 (1895 J Quarter in AYLESBURY Volume 03A Page 761), bap. 5 Jun 1895 in Waddesdon

The mother's maiden name on all of these birth registrations is BAKER.

In 1881, Dan Tompson (32) and Sarah Jane Tompson (29) were living at 27 Watney Street, St George in the East, with Dan's daughter Eliza Louisa Tompson (12) - listed as Elizabeth L - Sarah Sophia Tompson (5), Mabel Grace Tompson (3) and Mary Adcock Tompson (0). (Living at the same address were Sarah Jane's younger sister, Sophia and her husband Charles Frederick Burden. Both couples followed similar naming patterns for their children, with Dan and Sarah Jane naming one son Charles Frederick, which suggests they were close. Burden went to Canada in 1900. Did this have a bearing on Dan and Sarah Jane's decision to emigrate in 1912?)

On 4 Oct 1886 Mabel Grace and on 1 Nov 1886 Sarah Sophia, daughters of Dan Tompson of 106 High Street, were enrolled at Bow High Street School (Closed in 1932). This record provides their actual birth dates.

Mabel Grace (b. 1878), George Daniel (b. 1885) and Amelia Mary (b. 1890), were all baptised on Christmas Day 1890, in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire.

In 1891, in High Street, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire were Dan Tompson (40) Bricklayer; Sarah Jane Tompson (39), Mabel G Tompson (12), George D Tompson (5) and Amelia M Tompson (0). Eliza Louisa Tompson (22) 'Fancy box maker' was living with William and Ellen Burton, in Knapp Road, Bromley, Poplar, listed as their niece (Ellen Burton (née Baker) was Sarah Jane' sister). Sarah Sophia Tompson was visiting her aunt Mary Thompson, widow of her father's brother, Benjamin, at the Spotted Cow, Hither Green, Lewisham.

St Michael & All Angels,
Waddesdon - Font
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon
geograph.org.uk/p/3267102

Sarah Sophia, Ellen Hoile Folville (b. 1893 in Ashby Folville, Leicestershire and Ivy Maud (b. 1895) were also baptised, in Waddesdon, on 5 Jun 1895. The denomination on all of the baptisms is listed as Anglican, so I assume this was at the church of St Michael & All Angels, Waddesdon. In later documents, Dan lists himself as Wesleyan and there is a Wesleyan Chapel in Waddesdon High Street.

In 1901, Dan Tompson (52) and Sarah Jane Tompson (49), were listed as living in Gracious Street, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire with George Daniel (15) Bricklayer; Amelia Mary (10), Ellen T H (7) and Ivy Maud (6), plus lodger, William Warren (61), described as 'Draper But Not In Occupation'.

Dan's obituary details that, in 1904 he was elected to the Whittlesey Urban District Council and that "Mr Tompson came to Whittlesey in July 1896 and became landlord of the "King's Head" (now in residential use, see image) in, Gracious Street, which he kept until he left for Canada in 1911."

Gracious Street, Whittlesey (1897) A decorated house on Whittlesey’s Gracious Street during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria in 1897. Image Peterborough Images Archive

In 1911, Dan Tompson (63), Sarah Jane Tompson (60), Ellen Hoile Folville Tompson (18), Ivy Maud Tompson (16) and William Charles Kritzer (7), Grandson, were living at Lattersey Field, Whittlesey; Mabel Grace Tompson was a Lady's Maid in the household of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow, 2nd Baronet (Waterlow and Sons) in Carlton House Terrace; Amelia Tompson (23) from Waddeston, Bucks was a Domestic Servant in the employ of James Hainsworth Ismay (son of Thomas Henry Ismay, founder of the White Star Line) at Iwerne Minster House, Iwerne Minster, Dorset.

R.M.S. Corsican Image: Eric Eggertson Some rights reserved

Family stories, at best, usually have a mere grain of truth in them, almost universally contain large measures of exaggeration and "self-aggrandisement" and sometimes, huge amounts of complete fiction. Researching family history, therefore, becomes an exercise in debunking the family myths. Some relatives are more prone to bigging themselves and their forebears up, so you learn to question (read completely disbelieve) their tales, so you could honestly have knocked me down with a feather when I found this one was mostly true.

My mother always said that one of the Tompsons went to Canada and set up a business. The story wasn't without some exaggeration, as she did infer that they'd set up a massive corporation, were immensely famous and gave the impression that if one were to go to any place in that vast country and mention "Tompsons" everyone would instantly know the household name - when reality was a couple of self-employed brickies - but they do turn up in Canada. To be fair, she will have got this story too from her grandmother, Eliza Louisa Sweeney, but my mother didn't seem to know who among the Tompsons had gone to Canada and the way the story came across was as if it was some way distant relative, not Eliza Louisa's own father.

Dan's son George Daniel Tompson, had travelled, initially to the US, in 1908, but on 6 Jul 1912, Dan Tompson (63), with daughters Amelia (21) and Ellen (19), embarked in London bound for Montreal on the R.M.S. Corinthian. Curiously, they're listed on the passenger list under "The Salvation Army Pantel", with Dan's Profession, Occupation or Calling listed as "Farming" and of the girls as "Domestic". They had all travelled 3rd class, or Steerage. Then separately, on 18 Oct 1912, wife Sarah Jane (listed as 36, although she was actually 61), daughter Ivy (17) and Willie Thompson (8) - the grandchild listed on the 1911 Census as William Charles Kritzer - embarked in Liverpool aboard the SS Corsican, also bound for Montreal. One can't help thinking too that 1912 must have been an anxious time to make the voyage.

House on the left 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto, Canada

The family set up home in the Earlscourt neighbourhood in Toronto, settled in 1906 by labourers from the British Isles. Even in 1914 it still had a “shack town” reputation. This article about the area, which talks of a "Building Boom", indicates why the Tompsons went there, "The modest sized lots on empty fields appealed to those looking for affordable land, low taxes and lax building regulations." Reading between the lines, my belief is that the family acquired one of the plots and split it between father and son. George Daniel initially lived in the house on the right of the picture, 133 Morrison Avenue and Dan settled in the house on the left, 131 Morrison Avenue. Given they were bricklayers, there's a good chance they built the houses themselves.

In the 1913 Toronto City Directory, Dan Tompson is listed at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto, as a bricklayer. In the 1917 directory, Dan is listed at 73 Ashburnham Rd, Toronto, with George at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto.

On the 1921 Census of Canada, Dan (72), Sarah Jane (69), Amelia Mary (31), Ellen (29), Ivy Maud (27) and Willie Christie (18) - the grandson with the ever-changing surname - were all living at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto.

Dan Tompson died on Friday, 1 Aug 1924, at his home of 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto. The record of his death says it was from "Senility", although his obituary contradicts that saying, "He was 77 years of age, but his vigour of mind made him appear younger." He was actually only 75. Dan was buried on 3 Aug 1924 at Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Section 17, Plot 509. (Plan)

Grave of Dan Tompson at Prospect Cemetery in Toronto

August 23, 1924

DAN TOMPSON of WHITTLESEY

A Noted Builder's Death in Canada

Whittlesey Council Meetings of the Past

Old friends in the Whittlesey neighbourhood will learn with regret that Mr Daniel Tompson, formerly a well-known Whittlesey resident, of whom many will have lively and pleasing recollections, is dead.

The following is culled from the "Toronto Evening Telegram":- The Lloyd George of Earlscourt is dead. Dan Tompson he was to strangers, but Lloyd George to the hundreds of Earlscourt residents who saw a likeness to the British statesman in the shaggy crop of hair and the rugged, honest face - who watched him as he stood at rate payers' meetings denouncing some condition which he thought unjust - who heard his ejaculate "Shame!" at some big public gathering, when overpowering indignation forced a remark from him. Dan Tompson died on Friday at his home, 131 Morrison Avenue. He was 77 years of age, but his vigour of mind made him appear younger, and he rarely missed a meeting of his favourite organisation, the British Imperial Association. Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, he lived over 30 years in London, and was nine years on the Whittlesey Urban Council. In 1912 he came to Toronto, and lived in Earlscourt for the last seven years. He was a member of the Church of England [?] And Royal Alexandra [?] No 2459. Surviving him are his widow, Mrs Sarah Jane Tompson; one son, George, 124 Hatherley Road; and six daughters, Mrs J Sweeney, Mrs J Christie and Mrs Mabel Martin, of England and Misses Amelia, Ellen and Ivy at home. He was always an outstanding figure at meetings. Head thrown back and blue eyes flashing, he could speak from his extensive experience on practically every subject which was under discussion.

The last paragraph of the above report is indeed a tribute to Mr Tompson's powers of expression and volubility.

His Whittlesey Associations

Mr Tompson came to Whittlesey in July 1896 and became landlord of the "King's Head" in, Gracious Street, which he kept until he left for Canada in 1911. Always original, and by no means hide-bound by convention, he combined the role of publican with that of a local preacher, truly a strange combination, and one not often seen nowadays. But "Dan" as he was intimately known to hundreds, could well sustain this dual role. There was one occasion when his dignity suffered a severe shock, and that was at Pond's Bridge. He had been invited over there in his capacity as a local preacher to take the service at the little chapel, which was given to the hamlet by Lord de Ramsey, and being unused to the pulpit, which was of [unreadable] design, he had no sooner got into it he tripped out!

By trade he was a builder and a very efficient and reliable contractor too. Among works undertaken by him was the building of the New Whittlesey Brick Company, now known as the Victory Brickworks, and he also assisted in the building of the Gildenburgh Brick Works, now known as the United Brick Company. An employer of labour, he was most generous and paid his men liberally. Inclined towards Liberalism in politics, and delivered many stirring orations in his advocacy of the cause. As will be realised by "Sub Rosa's" accompanying article, a meeting at which Mr Tompson was present was never dull and although Dan's electioneering motto - or shall we say, battle-cry - was "Actions speak louder than words", he was never a believer in the quiet subdued style of advocacy, but went "all out" with a force that told.

Besides the wider realm of national politics, local government attracted him, and in 1904 he was elected to the Whittlesey Urban District Council, fourteenth on the list of the eighteen successful candidates. Again in 1907 and 1910 he was returned, improving his position each time, and he retained his seat on the Council until he left for Canada in 1911. Arrived in the Dominion, he carried on his business as a builder.

His wife, who, as the Canadian report states, survives him, was a charming lady, and made a host of friends in Whittlesey.

Their daughters must have travelled back to the UK, because on 17 Sep 1926, Amelia Mary Thompson (35) and Ellen Hoile Thompson (32), embarked in Liverpool, bound for Montreal on the R.M.S. Regina. Interestingly, they gave their last address in the United Kingdom as c/o Mrs Sweeney, 102 Fore Street, London (my great-grandmother, their half-sister).

On the 1931 Canada Census, Sarah Jane Tompson (81) widowed, arrival date 1912, was still listed at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto with Amelia Mary Tompson (41), Ellen Hoile Tompson (38) and Ivy Maude Tompson (36).

Then on 19 Sep 1931, Ellen (38) and Ivy Maud (36) made the crossing from Liverpool to New York, in transit to Canada, on the R.M.S. Adriatic. They stated they were citizens of Canada. (Until 1947, settlers from Britain were considered citizens of Canada without needing to naturalize.)

The three Tompson girls then all appeared in the Toronto Centennial City Directory of 1934 at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto.

Sarah Jane Tompson died on 4 Aug 1937 and was buried with her husband.

In 1939, the three spinster daughters were back in the UK, living together at Way Homesteads, Broadway, Yaxley, Cambridgeshire. Amelia and Ellen were dressmakers, while Ivy was a School Teacher (Technical). Their brother George Daniel's father-in-in law, George Oldfield's parents were, George Oldfield and Mary Haddon and, in 1851, Mary was listed as having been born in Yaxley, then in Huntingdonshire. This may well explain why the three sisters were in Yaxley after they returned to the UK from Canada. None of these three sisters ever married and they then returned to Whittlesey.

On 12 Sep 1939, Probate was granted to Amelia Mary Tompson and Ivy Maud Tompson on the estates of both Dan Tompson and Sarah Jane Tompson. They left effects of £400 (worth around £26,000 today), hardly a fortune. 

Ellen died on 14 Jan 1976. She will have been 82. Amelia Mary Tompson of 81 Benwick Road, Whittlesey, died on 4 Mar 1986. She was 95. Ivy Maud Tompson of Keneydon House, 2 Delph Street, Whittlesey (a Residential Dementia care home) died on 12 Feb 1991, just eleven days before her 96th birthday. 

Ellen Hoile Tompson, Amelia Mary Tompson and Ivy Maud Tompson are buried in Whittlesey Cemetery.

George Thompson and Diana Shatford

Broughton church, dedicated to St Andrew
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/4116541

George Thompson (bap. 15 Apr 1836), eldest son of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, married Diana Shatford, daughter of John Shatford and Mary Chapman, on 6 Aug 1862 at Broughton church. Diana's father was a Victualler And Farmer of High Street, Broughton (he held the large 18th century pub, The Red Lion, on the corner of High Street and Church Street).  

At 14, in 1851, George Thompson was already employed as a carpenter in his father's business in Cransley Street, Broughton. After his father's death in 1854, he took over the business and, in 1861, was employing 2 men and 1 boy, having moved to 9, Mount Pleasant, Broughton. Staying with him in 1861 was his widowed mother, Mary Thompson (née Adcock), his brother Dan (12), sister Sarah Elizabeth Botterill and her sons Daniel (4) and Benjamin (0).

After they married in 1862, George and Diana had five children: 

1. Mary Elizabeth Thompson b. 1863 M Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 182, bap. 1 Mar 1863 at Broughton church
2. John Daniel Thompson b. 1865 S Qtr in KETTERING Vol 03B Page 168
3. Diana Shatford Thompson b. 1867 D Qtr in KETTERING Vol 03B 159
4. Francis George Thompson b. 1870 J Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 177. Died 1870 S Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 137
5. Charles Francis Thompson b. 1871 S Qtr in KETTERING Vol 03B Page 170, bap. 30 Jul 1871. Died 1873 M Qtr in KETTERING Vol 03B Page 125, aged 19 m, buried on 11 Feb 1873 at St Andrew, Broughton.

In 1871, George Thompson (34), carpenter, was in Broughton with Diana Thompson (30), Mary Eliza Thompson (8), John D Thompson (5), Diana S Thompson (3) and apprentice, Samuel Draper (15). 

George Thompson died, aged 37, in 1873 S Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 91 and was buried at St Andrew's Church, Broughton. 

Diana Thompson then remarried to Thomas Skellham (bap. 4 Dec 1842 in Pytchley, Northamptonshire), son of William Skellom (sic) and Mary Streather in Q3 1875, also at St Andrew's Church, Broughton.

Thomas and Diana went on to have three further children:

1. Joseph Thomas Skellham b. 1876 J Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 189. bap. 30 Apr 1876 in Broughton
2. Amy Isabella Skellham b. 1879 M Qtr in KETTERING Vol 03B 193
3. Clara Eliza Skelham (sic) b. 1881 D Qtr in KETTERING Vol 03B 191

In 1881, Thomas Skellham (38) Carrier, Diana Skellham (40), John D Thompson (15) Wife's son; Joseph T Skellham (5), Amy I Skellham (2) and Edward S Brown (22) Boarder were living at 5, Tilleys Hill, Broughton. Mary [Elizabeth] Tompson (18) was working as a Barmaid at the Victoria Tavern, 46 Three Colt Street, Limehouse, London for her uncle Benjamin Thompson; Diana Thompson (13) was living with her grandmother, Mary Shatford (64) Innkeeper, at the Red Lion Inn, 69, High Street, Broughton.

In 1891, Thomas Skellham (48) Publican was living in Main Street, Broughton - presumably the Red Lion - with Diana Skellham (50), Joseph T Skellham (16), Amy I Skellham (12) and Clara E Skellham (9). Diana Tompson (23) was a Hotel Barmaid for Alice Slight (39) in Sheep Street, Kettering.

In 1901, Thomas Skellham (58) Market Gardener was living in Mill Road, Kettering with Diana Skellham (60), Amy Skellham (22), Clara Skellham (19) and Francis Bates (25) Boarder.

In 1911, still in Kettering, were Thomas Skellham (68) Garden Labourer, Diana Skellham (70) and Amy Skellham (32).

Thomas Skellham died, at 76, in 1919 J Quarter in WELLINGBOROUGH and he was buried in Plot E582 at Newton Road Cemetery, Rushden.

Diana Skellham died, aged 89, in 1930 S Qtr in KETTERING Vol 03B 151.

Broughton, Red Lion
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Faherty - geograph.org.uk/p/3972560

John Shatford (bap. 25 Dec 1817 in Broughton, Northamptonshire), son of Joseph Shatford and Diana Dainty, married Mary Chapman (b. 1817 in Little Addington), in Q1 1839, in the district of Thrapston, Northamptonshire. 

John and Mary had eight children:

1. Elizabeth Shatford b. 1839 S Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 262, bap. 13 Aug 1839 in Broughton, Northamptonshire
2. Diana Shatford b. 1840 in Brixworth, Northampton Q4 Vol 15 P 219
3. Joseph Shatford b. 1842 J Qtr in BRIXWORTH Vol 15 Page 220
4. Amy Deacon Shatford b. 1844 D Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 272, bap. 10 Nov 1844 in Broughton, Northamptonshire. Died, aged 3, in 1848 S Quarter in KETTERING Volume 15 Page 184
5. William Francis Dainty Shatford b. 1846 D Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 282, bap. 6 Dec 1846 in Broughton
6. John Shatford b. 1849 M Quarter in KETTERING Volume 15 Page 315, bap. 18 Mar 1849 in Little Addington, Northamptonshire
7. Mary Amy Shatford b. 1851 S Qtr in KETTERING Vol 15 Page 306
8. Charles Chapman Shatford b. 1857 D Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 148, bap. 3 Nov 1858 in Broughton, Northamptonshire. Died, aged 8, in 1866 S Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 94 and was buried on 20 Sep 1866, in Broughton, Northamptonshire.

All of the birth registrations show the mother's maiden name as Chapman.

In 1841, in High Street, Hannington, Northamptonshire, were John Shatford (20) and Mary Shatford (20), Dihannah (sic) Shatford (0), Naomi Dainty (12), William Chapman (70) and Hannah Chapman (65). (William Chapman and Hannah Bird, married on 27 Dec 1791 in Little Addington. They could be Mary's parents, or perhaps grandparents.) Elizabeth Shatford (1) meanwhile was staying in Loddington, in the household of Francis Dainty (40).

In 1851, John Shatford (33) Farmer Of 63 Acres Employing 3 Labourers was in High Street, Broughton with Mary Shatford (34), Elizabeth Shatford (11), Joseph Shatford (8), William Shatford (4), John Shatford (2) and George Brigs (30) Servant. (John's father, Joseph Shatford (60) Victualler, Diana Shatford (54) and William Shatford (26) were also in High Street, Broughton, possibly at the Red Lion.) Diana Shatford (11) was in Loddington with Rebecca Dainty (47) Licensed Victualler, her great aunt. (Rebecca was the widow of Francis Dainty, with whom Elizabeth was staying in 1841. Francis and Rebecca probably held the The Hare at 5 Main Street, Loddington.)

In 1861, John Shatford (43) Victualler And Farmer Of 63 Acres Employing 3 Men was still located in High Street, Broughton with Mary Shatford (44), Elizabeth Shatford (21), Diana Shatford (20), John Shatford (11), Mary A Shatford (9) and Charles C Shatford (3). Joseph Shatford (16) and William Shatford (14) were also living in Broughton High Street with their widowed grandfather, Joseph Shatford (71) Victualler & Grocer. 

In 1871, in Broughton were, John Shatford (53) Farmer, Mary Shatford (54), Joseph Shatford (81) Father, William F D Shatford (24), Mary A Shatford (19) and George Briggs (50) Lodger. (Elizabeth had married in 1864 and Diana in 1862; Joseph, it seems, had emigrated to New Zealand in 1865 and John Shatford married that year and was living with his in-laws.)

John Shatford died, at 54, on 16 Jan 1872 M Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 117, leaving his effects to his widow, Mary Shatford and William Shatford. John's father, Joseph Shatford, died in the same quarter, at 82, 1872 M Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 119.

In 1881, Mary Shatford (64) Innkeeper, Widow was at the Red Lion Inn, 69, High Street, Broughton with her granddaughter, Diana Thompson (13) (daughter of George Thompson and Diana Shatford). William F D Shatford (34) was Innkeeper at the The Three Cranes in Cransley and John Shatford (32) was Innkeeper at the Buccleuch Arms, 48, High Street, Broughton.

Mary Shatford died, at 71, in 1888 J Qtr in KETTERING Vol 03B Page 101.

Edward William Wykes and Mary Jane Austin

Brixworth Union Workhouse
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Burgess Von Thunen - geograph.org.uk/p/1889562
Erected in 1835-6 to accommodate 265 inmates. Conditions were described as "prison-like and spartan", while food was "meagre and tasteless", according to Brixworth History Society. 

Edward William Wykes (b. 30 Jun 1859), son of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, married Mary Jane Austin (b. 1861), widow, daughter of Stephen Austin and Ann Wykes - they were first cousins: William Wykes was the elder brother of Ann Wykes - at St Mark's Church, Deptford on 3 Aug 1890.

In 1871, Mary Jane Austin (9) had been living at home with her parents at Holdenby Rectory, Holdenby, Brixworth, Northamptonshire. 

In 1881, however, Mary J Austin, erroneously listed as 30, was a Prisoner at HM Prison, Northampton St Sepulchre. The Northampton Mercury, on 2 Apr 1881, details: NORTHAMPTON imprisonment. Theft by a Pauper. Mary Jane Austin (20), of Holdenby, was charged by Samuel Giles, master of the Brixworth Union [Workhouse], with stealing a pair of shoes. One assumes Mary Jane was an inmate of the workhouse for the birth of her illegitimate daughter, Kate Mary Austin, who at 6 mts, was also at the prison.

Mary Jane Austin had previously married Thomas Austin (b. 1844), son of William Austin and Jane Smith, at All Saints' Holdenby on 12 Dec 1881. On their marriage certificate, Thomas Austin's father is listed as Stephen Austin and Mary Jane Austin's as William Austin, clearly being transposed, which I'm sure is sending many a researcher barking up the wrong family trees.

Mary Jane had three Austin daughters:

1. Kate Mary Austin b. 28 Oct 1880, bap. 23 Nov 1880 in Brixworth
2. Bertha Minnie Austin b. 1882 D Quarter in BRIXWORTH Volume 03B Page 117, bap. 16 Sep 1883 in East Haddon, Northamptonshire
3. Emily Jane Austin b. 4 Jan 1885 M Qtr in BRIXWORTH Vol 03B 131

There was no GRO registration for Kate, clearly born before Mary Jane married, so we cannot be certain whether Thomas Austin was her father. On the two GRO registrations for Bertha and Emily, the mother's maiden name is AUSTIN, that is to say, not left blank and defaulted, as in illegitimate births, but specifically listed to confirm that both parents had this surname.

Thomas Austin died, at 41, in 1886 M Qtr in BRIXWORTH Vol 03B 98.

In 1887 and 1888, Kate Austin was enrolled at Holdenby School and Emily Jane Austin was also enrolled there on 13 Jan 1890. The record lists that Kate left the school on 15 Oct 1890, which fits in with them going to London.

Mary Jane had a further three children with Edward William Wykes:

1. Edward John Wykes b. 16 Feb 1891 J Qtr GREENWICH Vol 01D 1018
2. Mary Wykes b. 1897 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1029. Died 1897 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 610.
3. Annie Wykes b. 15 Dec 1899 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1054, at 6 Charles Place, Kent, London, England, bap. 15 Dec 1899 at St Paul, Deptford. Died 1899 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 739.

All three, once more, have the mother's maiden name of AUSTIN.

In 1891, Edward W Wykes (31) Boilermakers' Labourer from Deptford, Mary J Wykes (29) from Northampton, Kate Wykes [Kate Mary Austin] (10) and Edward J Wykes (0) from Deptford, Kent, were living at 16, Czar Street, St Paul Deptford. Emily Austin (6) was living in The Village, Holdenby in the household of her maternal grandparents, Stephen and Ann Austin.

In 1901, Edward Wykes (41) Iron foundry labourer; Mary Wykes (39), Emily Wykes [Emily Jane Austin] (16) Tin Worker from East Haddon and Edward Wykes (10) were still living at 6, Charles Place, St Paul Deptford. Bertha M Austin (18) was a Housemaid in the household of Herewald Wake (48) (Sir Hereward Wake, 12th Baronet (1852–1916) Magistrate, landowner and farmer at The Hall, Courteenhall, Hardingstone, Northamptonshire.

Mary Wykes died, at 39, in 1901 S Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 596.

On 15 Jan 1908, Edward Wykes (50) Labourer, pleaded guilty at Greenwich Police Court to "Stealing five hundredweight in weight of iron and steel castings, the property of Samuel Isaacs and another." He also fessed up to "Receiving the same well knowing them to have been stolen." He was [lucky he was merely] bound over into his own recognisance for 12 months. 

It appears that Edward Wykes, with his age estimated at 79, died in 1936 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 909.

Joseph Tiff and Eliza Blazey

Photo © Danny P Robinson (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Church of St James Norlands, Sunday, 29 April, 2007

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Joseph Tiff (bap. 6 Dec 1846, in Badby, Northamptonshire) (29) Bachelor, Greengrocer, son of John Daniel Tift and Ann Watkins married Eliza Blazey (b. 16 Feb 1851 in Heigham, Norwich) (25) Spinster, daughter of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, on 2 Jul 1876, at St James' Church, Norlands. (Eliza's sisters, Elizabeth Blazey and Alice Blazey and brother, Francis Robert Blazey also married in this church.) Both gave their address as 9 Union Terrace. One of the witnesses was Eliza's sister, Alice Blazey.

In 1861, Joseph (14), one of 7 siblings still at home in Badby, like his father was employed as an Agricultural Labourer. His elder brother, Thomas, was a blacksmith. But by 1871, Joseph (24) servant unemployed, was lodging with a William Potter from Suffolk, in Adam St, Marylebone, London.

In 1881, Joseph Tiff (32) Green grocer and his wife Eliza (31) were living at 9, Union Terrace, Kensington, London with Francis Blazey (13) - Eliza's bother Samuel's eldest son - employed as their Shop boy.

And in 1891, still at Union Terrace, Kensington, were Joseph Tiff (42) Green grocer, Eliza (40), with four of their nephews: Francis Blazey (25) Dock Labourer; Walter White (21) Shop Porter (Hannah's son); Alfred Blazey (21) (Samuel's younger son) also a Dock Labourer and Joseph Tiff (11) from Badby, Northamptonshire (son of one of Joseph's brothers).

This couple don't appear to have had children of their own, but look to have played an important role in the lives of their nephews.

Joseph Tiff died, at 46, in 1894 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A 74. 

In 1901, Eliza was presumably employed somewhere as a Housekeeper, but [so far] I've not found the relevant record. 

In 1911, Eliza Tiff (~56) Widow, was a Visitor in the household of George Hiscock (50) Coachman (married to Eliza's youngest sister, Alice) at Tichborne Stables, Tichborne, Alresford, Hampshire (undoubtedly Tichborne Park). 

In 1921, transcribed as Eliza Tift (sic) (70 years and 3 months) Widow from Norwich, Norfolk, Housekeeper retired, was visiting Percy Reginald Pocock at 124, High Street, Berkhamsted. She was originally listed as his Aunt, which was correct as Percy was the son of Eliza's sister Elizabeth. 

In 1939, with her date of birth correctly listed as 16 Feb 1851, Eliza Tift (sic) Domestic Servant Retired, was living with George Hiscock, Widower of her youngest sister, Alice, at 15 Heathfield South, Twickenham, Middlesex.

As yet, I can find no record of Eliza's death anywhere in the UK.

James Adcock and Mary Hill

Former Church of St Michael the Greater, Stamford, Lincolnshire
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Robinson - geograph.org.uk/p/6208532

James Adcock (bap. 31 Dec 1812), son of Joseph Adcock and Sarah Cook, married Mary Hill, listed as the daughter of William Hill, at All Saints Church, Pytchley, Northamptonshire, on 5 Jun 1838. James' profession was listed as Carpenter and Joiner and he was already living in Stamford, Lincolnshire at the time of their marriage. Witnesses were Edward Bryan and Louisa Cox.

James and Mary had five children, all born in in Stamford, Lincolnshire and baptised at the [former] church of St Michaels, Stamford:

1. John Adcock b. 1839 J Quarter in THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 553, bap. 14 Apr 1839
2. William Hill Adcock b. 1840 D Quarter in OF THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 556, bap. 11 Dec 1840
3. Joseph Hill Adcock b. 1842 M Quarter in THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 582, bap. 20 Feb 1842
4. Mary Elizabeth Adcock b. 1844 M Quarter in OF THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 605, bap. 6 Jun 1847 
5. James Adcock b. 1845 S Quarter in OF THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 576, bap. 27 Feb 1847 (Died 1847 M Quarter in OF THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 507)

In 1841, James Adcock (25), wife Mary (30), John (2) and William (0) were all living in the parish of St Michael, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

In 1851, in the parish of All Saints, Stamford, we find James Adcock (38), Joiner, wife Mary (43) - birthplace listed as Denford, Northamptonshire - John (12), William (10), Joseph (9) and Mary (7).

In 1861, in the parish of St George, Stamford, were James Adcock (48), Carpenter, Mary (50), and daughter Mary (17), Dressmaker. John had married that year and gone to live in Peterborough; William Hill Adcock was in London visiting his cousins, John and Maria Blackett; Joseph Adcock (19), Gardener, was a visitor in the household of Edwin Wright in Northampton. 

Mary Adcock died, aged 62, in 1867 M Quarter in STAMFORD UNION Volume 07A Page 210 and was buried on 18 Mar 1867.

In 1871, James Adcock (60), Carpenter, widower, was living with daughter Mary E Adcock (27), Schoolmistress and Jane Gilbert (13), Domestic Servant.

James Adcock died, aged 63, in 1876 S Quarter in STAMFORD Volume 07A Page 221 and was buried on 17 Aug 1876.

In 1881, Mary E Adcock (37) was living at 17, Belton Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire - which may well have been the address she had lived at with her parents - by this time she is described as "Invalid Formerly Teacher". 

Still in Belton Street in 1891, Mary E Adcock (47) was an Annuitant. 

In 1901, Mary Elizabeth Adcock (57), "Living on own means", address Milner's Row, Stamford. From the description it looks like this may well have still been the same place, "Part of this terrace remains although the houses nearest Belton Street have been demolished and replaced with a modern garage." 

Mary Elizabeth Adcock died, aged 63, in 1906 J Quarter in STAMFORD Volume 07A Page 188. She had never married.

William Naseby and Eliza Thompson

St. Andrew's Church, Cransley
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/6663331

Mrs Eliza Naseby (née Thompson)
Reproduced from the
“Our Warwickshire” website
© Rugby Library
Reference: T, B NAS, img: 7688

William Naseby (bap. 16 Apr 1815 in West Haddon), son of William Naseby and Charlotte Wood, married, Eliza Thompson (bap. 8 Feb 1824 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), then a minor at 17, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, at St Andrew's Church, Cransley on 3 Jun 1841. Witnesses were George Naseby and Ann Naseby.

They had a baker's dozen of children:

1. Emma Naseby b. 1842 S Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 222, bap. 18 Dec 1842 in West Haddon
2. William Naseby b. 1844 J Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 245
3. Clara Ann Naseby b. 1846 J Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 268
4. James Naseby b. 1848 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 500, bap. 6 Aug 1848 at Saint Andrew, Rugby. (Died, aged 1, in 1849 M Quarter in RUGBY Vol 16 Page 354)
5. Martha Naseby b. 1850 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 523, bap. 2 Sep 1853 at Saint Andrew, Rugby
6. Eliza Naseby b. 1851 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 536, bap. 5 Dec 1851 at St Matthew's Church, Rugby
7. Ruth Naseby b. 1853 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 356, bap. Kate Ruth, 2 Sep 1853 at Saint Andrew, Rugby
8. Maria Naseby b. 1855 D Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 365, bap. 16 Oct 1855 at Saint Matthews, Rugby. (Died at 2 days 1855 D Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 219, buried 19 Oct 1855)
9. Edith Naseby b. 1857 J Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D 396, bap. 9 Jun 1857 at Saint Andrew, Rugby (Died, aged 1, in 1859 S Qtr Vol 06D 268)
10. Owen William Thompson Naseby b. 1859 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 429, bap. 3 May 1859 at Saint Andrew, Rugby (Died 1859 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 253 and buried on 14 May 1859)
11. Naomi Naseby b. 1860 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 425
12. Amy Maria Naseby b. 1862 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 411, bap. 28 Oct 1868 in Rugby, Warwickshire
13. Rebecca Naseby b. 1865 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Pag, bap. 9 Jan 1865 Privately

Mother's maiden name on birth registrations is THOMPSON - with the H.

In 1841, William Naseby (20ish) and Eliza Naseby (17) were living in West Haddon. (Two of Eliza's sisters also lived in West Haddon at that time, Mary Botterill, then of The Bell Inn and the infamous jailbird Lucy Smith.)

By 1851, William and Eliza had moved to 5, Riley's Court, Rugby, Warwickshire, with William Naseby (31ish) Ag Lab; Eliza Naseby (25); Emma Naseby (9), Clara A Naseby (5) and Martha Naseby (1).

In 1861, at 58, North Street, Rugby, were William Naseby (46) Fruiterer; with Eliza Naseby (37); Emma Naseby (18) and Martha Naseby (11), Eliza Naseby (9) and Kate Naseby (9) Scholars and Naomi Naseby (1). Clara A Naseby (15) that year was a pupil, boarding at an industrial school in Rugby under the care of matron, Mary Potton (50) widow.

In 1871, in North Street, Rugby, were William Naseby (55) Gardener; Eliza Naseby (49), Eliza Naseby (19), Naomi Naseby (10), Amy M Naseby (8), Rebecca Naseby (6) and Eliza's brother, William Thompson (47) Visitor.

In 1881, in Hillmorton Road, Rugby, there were just William Naseby (65) Market Gardener; Eliza (60) and John Brand (16) Garden Labourer. Rebekah Naseby (sic) (16) was a Housemaid domestic servant in the household of William Collins, Schoolmaster at Alma House & School, Rugby, Warwickshire.

In 1891, with address at Naseby House, Hillmorton Road, Rugby, were William Naseby (75) Market Gardener; Eliza Naseby (67) and Eliza'a brother, William Thompson (64) listed as a Gardener Domestic Servant and six of their grandchildren, offspring of Charles Johnson and Eliza Naseby, Elizabeth A Johnson (16), Clara A Johnson (15), Ellen E Johnson (12), Charles Hy Johnson (9), George Wm Johnson (7) and Frederick Johnson (6). Rebecca Naseby (26) Nurse was a visitor in the household of Joseph Wood in Charlotte Street, Rugby, Warwickshire.

In 1901, William Naseby (85) Market Gardener and Eliza Naseby (77) were living at 86, Hillmorton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire. Rebecca Naseby (36) Monthly Nurse was a boarder in the household of Martin O'Malley, Beerhouse Keeper from Ireland at 46, Chapel Street, Rugby, Warwickshire (it became O'Malleys, was the former Australian Arms now a Listed Building)

William Naseby
Reproduced from the
“Our Warwickshire” website
© Rugby Library
Reference: T, B NAS, img: 7687

From Our Warwickshire:

"William Naseby, green-grocer and market gardener, born in West Haddon in 1818 (sic), lived with his wife at Naseby Cottage, Hillmorton Road 1854-1905. Worked a large market garden on land developed by the Land Society, which became known as the "Naseby Estate". Lived for three years in a Lawrence Sheriff Almshouse prior to his death at 91 in 1907." William Naseby died on 16 Mar 1907 (1907 M Quarter in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 386).

Eliza Naseby (née Thompson) died on 19 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 395), aged 84.

In 1911, Rebecca Naseby (46) Maternity Nurse was living in the household of brother-in-law Thomas Wright at 67 Oxford Street, Rugby, Warwickshire.

Rebecca Naseby of 88 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire, died on 30 Jan 1915, aged 50, at 19 The Drive, Phippsville, Northampton (presumably her place of employment). Probate was granted on 8 Apr 1915 to her sister Naomi Wright (wife of Thomas Wright). Rebecca is buried at Clifton Road Cemetery, along with her niece Clara Johnson (daughter of Charles Johnson and Eliza Naseby), who had died aged 31 on 21 Sep 1906.

Post card of Lawrence Sheriff Almshouses in Church St Rugby ca. 1900s
Reproduced from the “Our Warwickshire” website under Creative Commons Licence CC BY NC
© Warwickshire County Record office: PH352/152/128