Thomas Bright

c1820-1895

Thomas was born in Newbury he was the son of Thomas and Jane Bright (nee Alldridge) who married in great Marlow Buckinghamshire on the 26^th April 1802. His mother was born in Great Marlow Buckinghamshire c1789. His father was born c1775.

The 1815 census of Newbury records Thomas Bright (38), Jane (27), Maria (10), William (7), Sarah (5), John (4), Mary (2) and Joseph (infant) living in Red Lion Yard on the west side of Northbrook Street Newbury. Thomas was recorded as a Labourer.

Thomas’ father died aged 63 in 1838 he was laid to rest on the 30^th January at St Nicolas Newbury.

The 1841 census records Jane (45), living in Northbrook Street Newbury with her sons, John (25), Thomas (20), Henry (15) and Joseph (10), all were recorded as Bargemen.

Thomas married Maria Danvass (born c1823 in Newbury) on the 4^th June 1848 in Thatcham, they had the following children:

Thomas c1849

James c1851 (died aged 15 months in 1852 buried in the NRC on the 21^st May)

Mary Jane c1853 (died aged 5 in 1859 buried in the NRC on the 28^th March)

Maria 1856 (died aged 5 weeks buried in the NRC on the 19^th Augu1856)

William c1858 (died aged 17 in an accident in Kingsclere buried in the NRC on the 9^th May 1877)

Sarah c1862

Joseph Jesse 1864 (died aged 14 months buried in the NRC on the 14^th September 1865)

The 1851 census records his mother Jane (62), living in Robeson’s Yard Newbury she was recorded as a Boatman’s Pauper, also recorded living with her was her son Henry (24), a Boatman and a lodger, William Hall (63), a Bricklayer. Thomas doesn’t seem to be recorded in this census. His wife Maria (28) was recorded as a Bargeman’s Wife, living in Jack of Newbury Street Newbury with her mother Phoebe Danvass (67), Elizabeth B Danvass (7) (Maria’s illegitimate daughter, birth recorded in Newbury in March Q 1844 as Elizabeth Bright Darwass), Thomas Bright (2) and James Bright (2 months).

Thomas’ mother died aged 65 in 1851 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 9^th December.

In 1861 Thomas (41), a Boatman, Maria (38) and their children, Elizabeth (17) (recorded as Elizabeth Bright), an Unemployed Servant, Thomas (12), a Boat Boy and William (2), were living in Balding’s Buildings Newbury.

Maria died aged 49 in 1870 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th August.

The 1871 census records Thomas (50), as a Labourer living in Independent Chapel Yard Newbury, with his son William (13). His son Thomas (21), a Labourer, daughter-in-law Martha (22) and grandchildren, George (2) and Mary J. (8 months) were recorded living next door.

By 1881 Thomas (61) was working as a General Labourer, living in Cromwell Place Newbury, also living with him were his daughter Sarah (18), a Housekeeper and two lodgers. He was still living at Cromwell Place when the 1891 census was taken but was living alone, he was recorded aged 69, working as a Labourer.

Thomas died on the 2^nd January 1895 (age at death recorded as 63) he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th January.

Sources:as above