Inherited Craziness
A place to share all the nuts found on my family tree

Showing posts with label Thompson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thompson. Show all posts

Monday 26 February 2024

Thomas Smith and Lucy Thompson

Northampton: St Giles
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/4127502

Thomas Smith and Lucy Thompson (bap. 18 Dec 1815), daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married, on 26 Feb 1838, at St Giles Church, Northampton. Thomas Smith, Brickmaker, listed his father as Thomas Smith, Labourer. Both gave their address as "Butcher's Yard". One of the witnesses was Catherine Willis, who may have been related to Lucy's mother.

There is only one confirmed record of a child of this couple:
  1. Ann Smith b. 1841 D Quarter in DAVENTRY UNION Volume 15 Page 230, with mother's maiden name listed as TOMPSON
In 1841, Thomas (29) and Lucy (25), lived in West Haddon. Staying with them was Elizabeth Tompson (10) - actually 12 - who was Lucy's sister.

The Northampton Mercury of Saturday 13 April 1844, reported on the Northampton Borough Sessions of Tuesday 9 Apr 1844:

LUCY SMITH, wife of Thomas Smith, was indicted for stealing a quantity of ribbon, the property of Mr. T. S. Wright. Mr. Scriven appeared for the prosecution. Charles Goosey, one of Mr. Wright's assistants, saw the prisoner come in and out of the shop quite as many as twelve times on Saturday last. Some persons were looking at some ribbons, when the prisoner put her hand over the shoulders of the parties, took a piece of ribbon up, concealed it under her shawl, and ultimately put it in her basket. She had previously asked to be shown some net. Witness was engaged with a customer when she took the ribbon, and upon observing what had occurred, he went to the prisoner, and served her with some net, for which she tendered a shilling. Witness went under pretence of getting change and sent for a policeman, and she was given into custody. The ribbon was found in her basket.

Sessions House, Northampton
StJaBe, CC BY 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons
Prisoner comes from West Haddon, and a Mrs. Hoole of that place, said she had an excellent character. Her sister, Mrs. Bottrill, a respectably dressed person, who cried bitterly, also said she had always borne a good character. The distress of her sister affected the prisoner who had hitherto exhibited no signs of emotion.

The jury found the prisoner Guilty.

There were two other indictments against her, one for stealing a pair of shoes, the property of Henry Freeman, and the other for stealing 14 yards of cotton print, the property of J. Phipps, both on the same day. At the suggestion, however, of the Recorder, no evidence was offered in either of these cases. After a feeling address, the Recorder sentenced the prisoner to Six Months' Imprisonment.

The Cast of Characters:
  1. Thomas Wright (35) was a Draper at Waterloo House, 21 Market Square, Northampton in 1841 and had a Charles Goosey (15), Draper's Apprentice, listed in his considerable household (employ) of 27 people.
  2. Mr. Thos. Scriven, of the Town of Northampton, Solicitor, according to the 1841 census, when he was aged 40, lived in St Giles Square.
  3. Mrs. Hoole: Ann Hoole, wife of Thomas Hoole, Brazier, in 1841 lived next door to Stephen and Mary Bottrill, of The Bell Inn, West Haddon.
  4. Henry Freeman (35), Shoemaker, in 1841, resided at Great Russell Street, Northampton. (Great Russell Street, Northampton, in 1974 waiting to be demolished.) Perhaps he sold his wares in the market?
  5. In 1841 there was a John Phipps (40), Draper, in Albion Place, Northampton and a John Phipps (15), Draper, in Gold Street, Northampton. We can assume it was one of these.
  6. The Recorder was N. R. Clarke, Esq., Sergeant-at-Law.
Presumably, Lucy will have served her sentence at the Northampton Borough Gaol and House of Correction, at that time located at Fish Lane (now Fish Street), Northampton. Built in 1792–4 this gaol and bridewell were erected to the south of the County Hall and held 120 prisoners. She was lucky that her punishment wasn't transportation, still very much in use at that time.

In 1851, we find them in Matildia Place, Foleshill, Warwickshire - literally 'Sent to Coventry', it would seem after Lucy's stint behind bars. Well, Thomas Smith was listed as James Smith (40) - this could be an error or it might be deliberate - Brickmaker and it's clearly Lucy Smith (36), birthplace Cransley, Northamptonshire. Listed with them was Lucy's older brother, Thomas Thompson (40), Carpenter and Ann Smith (9), born in West Haddon.

So far, I've found no further evidence of this family.

Friday 19 January 2024

Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis

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

Solomon Thompson Jnr (b. 1786), son of Solomon Thompson Sr and Ann Rawson, married Maria Willis, daughter of Thomas Willis and Mary Essex, at All Saints ChurchThorpe Malsor on 19 Jan 1807

Their children, all baptised at St Andrew's Church, Cransley include:
  1. Mary Thompson bap. 14 Dec 1807
  2. Daniel Thompson bap. 30 Jul 1809
  3. Thomas Thompson bap. 14 Apr 1811
  4. Maria Thompson bap. 19 Dec 1814
  5. Lucy Thompson bap. 18 Dec 1815
  6. Anne Thompson bap. 20 Oct 1817
  7. Eliza Thompson bap. 9 Jul 1820 (buried 14 Oct 1821)
  8. Solomon Thompson bap. 4 Apr 1822
  9. Eliza Thompson bap. 8 Feb 1824
  10. William Thompson bap. 31 Dec 1825 
  11. Martha Thompson, b. 1826, bap. 20 Dec 1831
  12. Elizabeth Thompson bap. 20 Dec 1831 (age 3y 3m, so b. 1828) 
Solomon Thompson Jnr, carpenter, died, in 1839, aged 54.

By 1841, Maria Thompson (55), Pauper, was in the Hamlet of Cransley, as the head of the family with younger sons Solomon (20), Carpenter's Apprentice and William (15), and daughter Martha (14), as well as a John James (20) - presumably a boarder/lodger - also a Carpenter's Apprentice. 

In 1851, Maria Thompson (66), Pauper, Carpenter's Widow, was living in Cransley with son William (25) and Anne Thompson (5) (Elizabeth's child).

In 1861, Maria Thompson (74) widow, was still living in Cransley, with just her son Thomas (31) living with her.

By 1871, Maria (listed as Mary) Thompson (85) was living with her youngest daughter, Elizabeth Wykes, in Deptford. 

Maria Thompson died, in Greenwich in 1873, age given as 88.

Friday 5 January 2024

Job Sweeney and Eliza Louisa Tompson

Globe Road, Bethnal Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/4697355
Very much a part of the traditional East End, Globe Road runs north from Stepney Green station to Roman Road, and then on to this northern stretch up to Old Ford Road. 

Job Sweeney (b. 6 Feb 1870), son of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, married Eliza Louisa Tompson (b. 24 Aug 1868), daughter of Dan Tompson and Mary Ann Green, on 5 Jan 1893, at the Parish Church of St Anthony, Globe Road, Stepney. (The church of Saint Anthony stood in the borough of Bethnal Green, but was part of the rural deanery of Stepney. It closed in 1936 and the building was demolished in 1937.) Both claimed to be 24 and both gave their address as 3 Monteagle Street, Stepney. 

Their only son, Job Thomas Sweeney (right), was born at 25 Monteagle Street, Stepney (which further research suggests was a boarding house) on 27 Aug 1897 and baptised at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, on 19 Sep 1897.

In 1901, Job Sweney (sic) (33) Warehouseman, Eliza Sweney (sic) (32) and Job Sweney (sic) (3), were living at 8, Repton Street, Limehouse

My mother always claimed that her father and grandmother, Eliza Louisa, had been living in Sidney Street at the time of the Siege of Sidney Street, or Battle of Stepney that took place in January 1911. It's not impossible, but I can find no records to support this. Eliza Louisa was well away from the area when Cable Street (where she was born) had it's own battle in 1936.

By the time of the census on 2 April 1911, the family were living at 102 Fore Street, in the City of London. They lived in a flat above the warehouse that came with the job, where Job Sweeney (41) was employed as Packer and Caretaker; Eliza Louisa Sweeney (41), Job Thomas Sweeney (13) and Amy Dobson (19) Domestic Servant, Friend (Amy Dobson b. 1892, was the sister of Ruth Christmas Dobson, wife of Job's brother Charles Sweeney.) 

In 1921, Job Sweeney (51) Packer, was still living and working at 102, Fore Street, City of London, for Hoffnung & Co Shipping Merchants; with wife, Eliza L Sweeney (52) and son, Job T Sweeney (23) Warehouseman, working for Wills & Co (W.D. & H.O. Wills) at their Holborn Viaduct factory (for whom he eventually worked for around 36 years.) (Calling herself Amy Margaret Dobson (29) Charwoman, in 1921 - no idea where the Margaret came from - living at 102, Hind Street, Poplar, this census tells us she was working for Messrs Hoffnung & Co Ltd at 102 Fore Street, City, E C.)

Job Sweeney died, on 6 December 1924, aged 54, of Tuberculosis. 

Eliza Louisa Sweeney (née Tompson)
with her granddaughter, Ivy. On a A Day
Out in Clacton-on-Sea in the 1930s
Eliza Louisa was still living at 102 Fore Street with her son Job and his wife, Elizabeth (Bet) and granddaughter, Ivy, in 1939 and remained there until their home was destroyed in WWII, thought to have been on or around the night of 29–30 Dec 1940, the so-called Second Great Fire of London.

Eliza Louisa Sweeney, otherwise Sweney (as it says on her death certificate), died on 13 Feb 1953, in Hornchurch, Essex, from coronary thrombosis, influenza, chronic bronchitis and old age. She was 84.

Sunday 12 November 2023

Jacob White and Rose Bunkall

St. Nicholas Church, Dereham

Jacob White and Rose Bunkall, married on 12 Nov 1805 at St. Nicholas ChurchDereham. Jacob, the son of Jacob White and Elizabeth Thompson, was baptised at All Saints ChurchShipdham, on 23 Jul 1770 (where his parents had married just two months earlier on 19 May 1770). Rose, the daughter of William and Margaret Bunkall, was born in December 1766 and baptised at St. Nicholas Church, Dereham on 1 Feb 1767.

Jacob and Rose were already 35 and 38, respectively, at the time of the marriage, but are described as a single man and a single woman. The lateness probably accounts for why they appear to have had only one child: 
  1. William White, baptised on 20 Jul 1806 at St MargaretGarvestone
Rose White died, with age estimated at 62, and was buried on 6 Jul 1827, at All Saints, Mattishall. (Mattishall is where son William lived at that time.)

In 1841, Jacob White (70) was living South GreenMattishall

Jacob White died, aged 76, in 1844 M Quarter in MITFORD AND LAUNDITCH Volume 13 Page 181.

Wednesday 8 November 2023

George Collins and Martha Thompson

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

George Collins (bap. 25 Mar 1827 in Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire), Carpenter, resident of Broughton, son of William Collins and Elizabeth Turland, married Martha Thompson, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, at St Andrew's, Cransley, on 8 Nov 1847. Martha's father isn't listed (he was deceased, but should still have been named), but it's clear this is her, because the witnesses include Solomon Thompson, Martha's brother; Martha's sister, Maria Blackett and also one of the Bottrell/Botterill 'clan' (Martha's eldest sister, Mary, had married Stephen Bottrell).

George and Martha had a son, George Collins, b. 1848 J Qtr Vol 02 Page 127 in St George in the East, but there are no further records of the child.

Then Martha Collins died, aged just 24, in 1850 D Qtr Vol 02 Page 82.

In 1851, George Collins (24), Carpenter, Widower, was lodging with John and Maria Blackett at Wellington Place, Back Road, Saint George in the East.

Unable to find him in 1861, it appears George Collins died, aged 36, in 1863 S Quarter in NORTHAMPTON UNION Volume 03B Page 41) and was buried on 21 Sep 1863 at St John the Baptist, Kingsthorpe. There is a note on the burial record giving his residence as 'Northampton NTH' and my fear and feeling is that he'd become ill and was sent back to the Workhouse to the north east of Northampton, from where he'd probably be sent to his native parish to be buried at the request of family, or at the parish's expense.

Thursday 2 November 2023

Stephen Botterill and Mary Thompson

The Graziers Arms in the early 20th century when the public house was run by Phipps Brewery. Image reproduced from the Phipps Archive by permission of Northamptonshire Archives.

Stephen Botterill (b. 1804) married Mary Thompson, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis (and sister of my 3rd great grandfather, Daniel Thompson) on 2 Nov 1830 in her parish of Cransley, Northamptonshire. 

The only children of the marriage that I can find records for are: 

  1. Daniel Botterill, bap. 20 Dec 1831 in Cransley, Northamptonshire
  2. Alice Botterill, bap. 4 Mar 1838 at ScaldwellSt Peter and St Paul (Died, aged 18 and was buried on 7 Jun 1856 at West Haddon.)
  3. Stephen Bottrell (sic) b. Oct 1840, bap. 3 Apr 1844 in West Haddon
  4. Mary Ann Bottrell b. 1844 
Wesleyan Chapel in West Haddon. Image provided by West Haddon Local History Group
Being located by both Baptist and Methodist Chapels in the 1840s probably wasn't ideal and conducive to business, which might account for the move to The Graziers Arms. 

In 1841 Stephen Bottrill was a Publican in West Haddon. This will have been at The Bell Inn. A later article says, "The Bell Inn no longer exists at West Haddon, although the old thatched house, with its picturesque gables, which bore the title, still stands opposite the Wesleyan Chapel."

At that time, Solomon Thompson (b. 1802), brewer, was staying with the Botterills, while his own wife, Elizabeth (née York) and family are at their home in Cransley. Solomon Thompson (b. 1802), must be related to Mary Botterill. Quite handy having a brewer in the family when you run a pub!

Mary Bottrel (sic) (née Thompson) died in 1845. The death notice, which appeared in The Banbury Guardian of Thursday, February 27, 1845, read, "February 12, at West Haddon, Warwickshire, Mary, the wife of Mr. Stephen Bottrell, of the Bell Inn, aged 38; deeply lamented by all her friends." And in The Northampton Mercury, it adds that, "Her illness was short, but she bore it with great firmness and contentment." Whatever that means. 

Mary was buried at All Saints, West Haddon, on 18 Feb 1845. 

Graveyard, All Saints Church, West Haddon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Tim Heaton - geograph.org.uk/p/2106752

On 24 July 1845, Stephen Botterell remarried, to Elizabeth Newton and the marriage appears to have taken place at Christ ChurchSt George in the East, London. In 1851, Stephen Botterill was listed as Victualler Farm of 140 Acres, with new wife Elizabeth (b. 1804), daughter Alice (13), son Stephen (10) and niece, Eliza Newton (9). Alice Botterill died, aged 18 and was buried on 7 Jun 1856 at All Saints, West Haddon. Elizabeth Botterill died, aged 55, and was buried on 26 Aug 1858, also at All Saints, West Haddon. 

The Banbury Guardian of 13 Sept 1849, reported that at the Daventry Petty Sessions, Stephen Botterell was charged with keeping his house open after 10pm and allowing gaming. On this occasion the case was dismissed.

In 1861, Stephen Bottard (sic), Widowed, was a Farmer Of 147 acres Employing 3 men & 3 boys.... Eliza Newton was still living in his household.

The Northampton Mercury of 5 Apr 1862 reported that William Blunsom, veterinary surgeon, was claiming the sum of £13. 17s. (£1,764.89 in 2021) from Stephen Botterill in the County Court. Then the London Gazette of 30 Nov 1867, reported that Stephen Botterill was declared bankrupt. 

There are several reports in the Northampton Mercury of Stephen Botterill being fined for 'Unjust measures': 15 Oct 1864 (2s + 18s costs), on 15 Feb 1868 (£4), 12 Sep 1868 (fined £5 for 4 quart jugs deficient in measure), and again on 13 Feb 1869 (£5), so it looks habitual. He blamed his bankruptcy on the 'badness of trade', but one has to wonder if poor judgement was as much, or perhaps more, to blame. Did it not occur to him these things might be linked? (Rhetorical question.) Nevertheless, Stephen Boterill was discharged from bankruptcy on 7 Feb 1868 (Northampton Mercury 28 March 1868). 

By 1871, however, Stephen Boterill (66), Widowed, was a farm labourer and lodger in the household of Thomas Bull, in West Haddon. Stephen Botterill died, aged 73, in 1878. He was buried on 8 Sep 1878 in West Haddon.

TRADE DIRECTORIES (Northampton Public Library)
  • 1847 Stephen Bottrel - The Bell Inn, farmer and victualler
  • 1849 Stephen Bottrel  - The Bell Inn, victualler
  • 1854 Stephen Bottrel - The Graziers Arms, victualler
  • 1861 Stephen Botterill - Beer retailer and farmer

The Graziers Arms from above. Image provided by West Haddon Local History Group

With gracious thanks to Wendy Raybould, Archivist at the West Haddon Local History Group for many of the photos; for identifying the names of the pubs that Stephen Botterill was associated with and pointers towards many other records of his life. See also her: A brief history of West Haddon (PDF)

Friday 27 October 2023

Solomon Thompson Sr and Ann Rawson

St. Mary Magdalene church, Geddington
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Richard Croft - geograph.org.uk/p/533762

Solomon Thompson Sr, son of Benjamin Thompson and Sarah Munn, married Ann Rawson (bap. 2 Jan 1747, in Geddington), daughter of James and Sarah Rawson, in the parish of Geddington, on 27 Oct 1767

Solomon and Ann, a pair of my 5x great-grandparents, had eight children, all baptised at St Andrew's ChurchCransley:
  1. Anne Thompson bap. 6 Nov 1768
  2. Solomon Tomson (sic) bap. 20 May 1770
  3. Sarah Tomson (sic) bap. 15 Dec 1771
  4. Mary Thompson bap. 17 Dec 1775
  5. Martha Thompson bap. 11 Jun 1780
  6. Lucy Thompson bap. 6 Oct 1782
  7. Ann Thompson bap. 8 Nov 1784
  8. Solomon Thompson Jnr bap. 15 Jun 1786
We can probably assume that at least the first two had died in infancy.

Solomon Thompson, labourer, appeared on the Northamptonshire Militia Lists 1771. "The Militia Act of 1757 required each county to raise an assigned quota of able-bodied men to serve in the militia. The act was passed as a reaction to the French invasion during the Seven Years War. The militia was responsible for the defense of Great Britain and Ireland. They never served abroad. Men were between the ages of 18 and 45 and served for a minimum of 28 days a year, over three years.

Solomon Thompson Sr (75) was buried, in Cransley, on 2 Sep 1823.

Wednesday 25 October 2023

Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock

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

Daniel Thompson, son of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis and Mary Adcock, daughter of Joseph Adcock and Sarah Cooka pair of my 3x great-grandparents, married, on 25 Oct 1832, at All Saints Church, Pytchley.

Daniel and Mary had five children:
  1. Sarah Elizabeth Thompson bap. 15 Dec 1833
  2. George Thompson bap. 15 Apr 1836 
  3. Benjamin Thompson bap. 3 Oct 1841
  4. Louisa Thompson bap. 15 Dec 1844
  5. Dan Thompson b. 12 Oct 1848, bap. 5 Nov 1848
Sarah and George were baptised in Broughton, while Benjamin, Louisa and Dan were all baptised at St Andrews of Cransley, Northamptonshire.

In 1841, Daniel Tompson (sic) (30), carpenter, was living in Cransley StreetBroughton, with his wife, Mary (30), daughter Sarah (8) and son George (5). Also staying with them were Maria Blackett (25), Dressmaker (Daniel's sister); Ann Ray (30); Emily Ray (1) and Sarah Hewitt (10).

In 1851, still at the same address, were Daniel (42) and Mary (41), Sarah (17) Dressmaker; George (14) Carpenter; Benjamin (9), Louisa (6) and Dan (2).

Daniel Thompson, Carpenter and Wheelwright, died, aged 45, on 15 Feb 1854 and was buried, on 19 Feb 1854, at St Andrew's Church, Broughton

His effects, under £100, were granted to his widow, Mary Tompson (sic), in 1861. That year, the widowed Mary was living in the household of her son George, at the same location, who appeared to have taken over the family business as a Carpenter employing 2 men and 1 boy, in Broughton. 

Then in 1871, Mary and younger daughter, Louisa, were staying with eldest daughter, Sarah and son-in-law, Daniel Botterill, in Deptford. 

Mary Thompson died, aged 69, and was buried, on 15 Oct 1879, at St Andrew's, Broughton.

Sunday 8 October 2023

Benjamin Thompson and Sarah Munn

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

The earliest of my Thompson ancestors in Northamptonshire I can confirm [so far] are a pair of 6th great-grandparents: Benjamin Thompson, who married Sarah Munn on 8 Oct 1744 at Pytchley, Northamptonshire. (Records show a baptism of a Benjamin Tompson (sic) b. 19 Jul 1714 on 21 Jul 1714 at St Andrew's Church, Cransley, son of Samuel & Mary Tompson.)

This couple had four children, all baptised at St Andrew's ChurchCransley:
  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
Records are not available for this couple's deaths or burials.

Friday 6 October 2023

John Blackett and Maria Thompson and William Kenward

Church of St John at Hackney
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/5660501

Maria Thompson, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married John Blackett, at the Church of St John-at-Hackney, on 6 Oct 1833. (John Blackett's birthplace is given as Spitalfields and there's a potential baptism at St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, on 15 Aug 1811, which, if correct, would make him the son of a Joseph and Frances Blackett.)

Records suggest that the couple had to two children:

  1. Maria Blackett b. 16 Mar 1834, bap. 29 Jun 1834 at St Mary's, Whitechapel. Maria Blackett, aged 2 years 2 months, was buried on 19 Jun 1836 (Mile End New Town (Independent): Burials)
  2. Henry Blackett b. 1847 (mentioned only on 1851 census)
In 1841, Maria Blackett (25) Dressmaker - no sign of John or any child - was staying with her brother Daniel, in Cransley, Northamptonshire. 

In 1851, John Blackett (39), Butcher; Maria Blackett (38); Henry Blackett (4), birthplace Northamptonshire, England and George Collins (24), Carpenter, Widower, Lodger; John Nursey (18) Lodger and John Grant (25) Lodger were living in Wellington Place, Back Road, St George in the East.

In 1861, at 4, Back Road, St George in the East, were John Blackett (49) Butcher; Maria (47); William Hill Adcock (21) Bookseller's Assistant, Visitor (Maria's brother Daniel's wife's brother's son); Benjamin Thompson (19) Bricklayer, Nephew (her brother Daniel's son) and Henry M Thompson (10), Sugar Maker, Nephew, born Stepney [don't yet know whose son he was].

Then, John Blackett died in 1866, in St George in the East, aged 54.

In 1871, Maria Blackett (56) Widowed, Coffee-Shop Keeper from Cransley, Northamptonshire was living at Star CornerBermondsey (near the Leather Market), with George S Taylor (12) Nephew from Stepney, Middlesex. 

In the 2nd quarter of 1871, Maria Blackett remarried to widower, William Kenward, in St. Olave Southwark.

In 1881, William Kenward (73) House Agent from Hartfield, Sussex, was living at 17, Douglas Street, St Paul Deptford, Greenwich with Maria Kenward (68) from Cransley, Northamptonshire and George S Saville (22), Nephew, Schoolmaster, from Stepney. [See how Taylor might transform into Saville.]

Maria Kenward wife of William Kenward, late of 17 Douglas Street, Deptford, died, age estimated to 76, in Greenwich on 28 Oct 1888. Her will was proved on 13 Dec 1888, by Benjamin Tompson (her nephew), the sole executor.

In 1891, William Kenward (83) House Agent, was still at 17 Douglas Street, Deptford. His grandson, Robert Hy Murray (26) was living with him.

William Kenward died at 86, in Greenwich in 1893.

Tuesday 12 September 2023

Henry Bradley, Mary Chapman and Mary Thompson

Ye Olde King's Head, Chigwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/7349355
The main part of this set of buildings is the Olde Kings Head, a former coaching inn on Chigwell's High Road opposite the church. It is grade II* listed and probably dates from the 17th century, although some sources give a very specific date of 1547. Closer to the camera are the grade II listed King's Head Cottages built in the 18th century. The inn is said to have been the model for the Maypole in Charles Dickens' novel Barnaby Rudge.

Henry Bradley, son of  Thomas Bradley and Sarah Garton, had married Mary Chapman, in Chigwell, on 19 May 1810, but that Mary Bradley, aged 22, was buried, also in Chigwell, on 2 Aug 1812. Henry Bradley, widowed, then remarried, again at St Mary's Church, Chigwell, on 12 Sep 1813 to Mary Thompson. At least he wasn't going to get their names confused!

Henry Bradley and Mary Thompson had at least eight children:
  1. Elizabeth Ann Bradley born 29 Oct 1814, bap. 20 Nov 1814 at St Mary the Virgin, Woodford
  2. Sarah Anne Bradley bap. 29 Apr 1816 at St Mary the Virgin, Woodford
  3. Thomas Bradley bap. 22 Jun 1817. A note on this baptism record says, "Whilst St Mary Woodford Was Being Repaired, The Ceremony Of Baptism Was Performed At St Mary Wanstead."
  4. Ann Bradley bap. 20 Sep 1818 (presumably didn't survive)
  5. Ann Bradley bap. 30 Jan 1820
  6. James Bradley bap. 2 May 1824
  7. Henry Bradley bap. 8 Jan 1826
  8. Eliza Bradley bap. 13 Apr 1828
The baptism records all list Henry's occupation and Labourer and several of them also list the family's residence as Grange Hill, Chigwell, Woodford.

In 1841, address listed as Grange Hill, Chigwell, Epping, were Henry Bradley (50) Ag Lab, Mary (45), James (15), Henry (15) and Elizabeth (14) - Eliza?

In 1851, Henry Bradley (63) Ag Lab, birthplace Woodford Bridge and Mary Bradley (54) born in Takeley, Essex, were living at King William, Chigwell Horse Lane, Epping. I'm sure Chigwell Horse Lane became Chigwell Road / High Road and wonder if the previous name was to distinguish it from other lanes that weren't even fit for horses? All joking aside, meaning the main thoroughfare that passes coaching inns, such as the King's Head.

Mary Bradley died, aged 65, and was buried on 29 Jan 1860 in Chigwell.

Henry Bradley died, aged 74, and was buried on 30 Mar 1862.

Tuesday 15 August 2023

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, one of my 2nd great-grandfathers, was born in Broughton, Northamptonshire on 12 Oct 1848 and baptised, on 5 Nov 1848, at St Andrew's Church, Cransley. His parents were Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock. He ended up in Canada, but via a pretty indirect route:

In 1851, Dan (2) was with his parents, in Broughton. Following his father's death in 1854, by 1861, the 12 year old Dan 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.

On 15 Aug 1867, aged 19, Dan Tompson married Mary Ann Green (17), daughter of Edward Green and Eliza Goodman (landlords of the King and Queen public house in St George in the East), at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, in Limehouse (bombed in 1940 and since demolished). Witnesses to their marriage were Robert Davis and Harriet Blundell (in 1861, Harriet, then around 12, had been a visitor in the household of Mary Ann's parents, so she may well have been family and was very possibly bridesmaid.)

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.
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 (died 1874, aged 1)
  2. Jessie Elizabeth Tompson b. 1874 (died 1876, aged 1)
  3. Sarah Sophia Tompson b. 9 Oct 1876
  4. Mabel Grace Tompson b. 6 Aug 1878
  5. Mary Adcock Tompson b. 1880 (died 2nd quarter of 1881)
  6. Dan Baker Tompson b. 1882 (died 1883)
  7. Charles Frederick Tompson b. 1884 (died 1887, aged 3)
  8. George Daniel Tompson b. 1885
  9. Ernest Wilberforce Tompson b. 1888 (died 1890, aged 1)
  10. Amelia Mary Tompson b. 14 Nov 1890
  11. Ellen Hoile Folville Tompson b. 22 May 1893
  12. Ivy Maud Tompson b. 23 Feb 1895
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?)

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), are listed as living in Gracious StreetWhittlesey, 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 Thoila Tolnilla Tompson (sic) (18), Ivy Maud Tompson (16) and William Charles Kritzer (7), Grandson, born "At Sea", were living at Lattersey Field, Whittlesey. Mabel Grace Tompson (29) was employed as a Lady's Maid in the household of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow, 2nd Baronet (Waterlow and Sons); Amelia Tompson (23) from Waddeston, Bucks was a Domestic Servant in the employ of James Hainsworth Ismay (second son of Thomas Henry Ismay, founder of the White Star Line) at Iwerne Minster HouseIwerne 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 said that one of the Tompsons had gone to Canada and set up a business. The story wasn't without some exaggeration, as she did make it sound like they'd set up a massive corporation and given 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 (née Tompson), but my mother didn't seem to know who among the Tompsons had gone to Canada and the way the story came across is as if it was some distant relative, not Eliza Louisa's own father, Dan Tompson.

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. 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, "Domestic". They travelled 3rd class, or Steerage.

Then separately, on 18 Oct 1912, wife Sarah Jane (listed as 36, was actually 61), youngest daughter, Ivy (17) and Willie Thompson (8) - this has to be the grandchild listed on the 1911 Census as William Charles Kritzer - embarked in Liverpool aboard the SS Corsican, also bound for Montreal.

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, Torontoas 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 4 Aug 1924 at Prospect Cemetery, 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). 

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 state that they are 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 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 living in Yaxley after they returned to the UK from Canada.
 
None of these three sisters ever married and they 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. 

Monday 14 August 2023

Solomon Thompson and Ann Burr

Old Bethnal Green Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/1332206

Solomon Thompson (48) widower, builder, son of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married Ann Burr (39), widow, on 14 Aug 1871, at the St Jude's Church (on Old Bethnal Green Road), Bethnal Green. Both gave their address as 8 Hare Street, Bethnal Green. On this marriage, Ann lists her father as William Turner, Paper Maker, which I have yet to confirm. Likewise, I've been unable to find a marriage of an Ann Turner to anyone named Burr.

There was an Albert Edward Thompson born in 1872 M Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Volume 01C  Page 334, with his mother's maiden name as Turner, but I've found no record that would confirm this as a child of this couple.

In 1851, Solomon Thompson (28) Carpenter, from Northamptonshire, alone, but listed as married, had been a Lodger in Mile End Old Town, Stepney.

In 1861, Solomon Thompson (37) Joiner, from Northamptonshire along with wife Jane (28) with her birthplace listed as Clifton, Cumberland, were living in Seabright Street, Bethnal Green

There are no clues whatsoever to Jane's maiden name, nor can I find a record of their marriage either. There was a death of a Jane Thompson of the approximately correct age in 1868, but no means to confirm that this is the relevant one. Neither can I find if there were any children of this marriage.

It appears that Solomon Thompson died, aged 49, in 1872 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 310.

Sadly, too many people named Ann Thompson to follow her forward.