Thomas Griffiths

1867-1888

Thomas, his parents, siblings and early life:

Thomas was born in Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Caleb and Susan(nah) Griffiths (nee Read) who were married in 1865 (marriage registered in Newbury)

His father Caleb was born in Newbury, Berkshire, he was baptised on the 29^th October 1843, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the son of William and Mary Griffiths (nee Powers) who were married on the 17^th October 1824 at St Mary Thatcham Berkshire.

His mother Susan(nah) Read was born in 1842 in Beedon, Berkshire, (birth registered in Wantage) the daughter of John and Maria Read(e) (nee Brooks) who were married on the 6^th May 1826 at St Mary and St Nicholas, Compton, Berkshire.

Caleb and Susan(nah) also had the following children (all born in Newbury):

Caleb born 1866 (died aged 25 in 1891, buried in the NRC on the 29^th May)

Thomas born 1867 (died aged 20 in 1888, buried in the NRC on the 18^th May)

Kate born 1868

Janet born 1870

Henry born 1872 (died aged 3 weeks, buried in the NRC on the 27^th February 1872)

Susan Maria born c1873

Henry born 1875 (died aged 2, buried in the NRC on the 19^th May 1877)

John born 1876 (died aged 1 months, buried in the NRC on the 29^th November)

Walter born 1877

Alfred born 1880 (died aged 37 in 1917, buried in the NRC on the 26^th September)

Jessie born 1882

In 1871 Caleb (29), a Journeyman Coachsmith, Susan (28), Caleb (5), Thomas (3), Kate (2) and Janet (1), were recorded living in the Old Cattle Market, Newbury.

By 1881 Caleb (39), a General Smith, Susan (36), Caleb (15) a Smith’s Assistant, Thomas (14), a Smith’s Assistant, Kate (11), Janet (10), Susan (8), Walter (3) and Alfred (1), were living at 131 Bartholomew Street, Newbury.

Thomas died aged 20 (cause of death: consumption) on the 13^th May 1888, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Rod Cemetery on the 18^th May.

After his death:

His mother Susan died aged 45 on the 2^nd March 1891, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th March with Thomas.

The 1891 census records his father Caleb (48) as a Coach Builder, living at 131 Batholomew Street, Newbury, with his children, Caleb (25), Jane(t) (20), Susan (18), Walter (12), Alfred (9) and Jessie (7).

Caleb remarried in 1893, his 2^nd wife was Eliza Newman.

(Eliza was baptised on the 17^th April 1853 at St May the Virgin, Marlborough, the illegitimate daughter of Hannah Newman).

Eliza died aged 46 on the 3^rd November 1898, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th November.

Caleb married again in 1900, in Croydon, his 3^rd wife was Sophia Theresa Phillips (nee Slay) a widow.

 (Sophia was born in 1848 in Reading, Berkshire, the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Rebecca Slay (nee Knight) who were married in 1836, in Reading, Berkshire (Eliza Rebecca was recorded as Rebecca at time of marriage).

The 1901 census records Caleb (58) as a Game/Poultry Dealer and Greengrocer, living at 130, Bartholomew Street, with Sophia (52) and his sons, Walter (23) and Alfred (20), both Market Gardeners and his daughter Jessie (18), a Draper’s Shop Assistant.

Caleb (69), Sophia (62) and Alfred (30) were still living at 130 Bartholomew Street in 1911. Caleb was again recorded as a Greengrocer and Game Dealer. Alfred was again recorded as a Market Gardener in the census for this year.

Thomas’s brother Alfred died in 1917, he was laid to rest with Thomas and their mother Susan, on the 26^th September

His father Caleb died aged 79 on the 21^st February 1922, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery with his 2^nd wife, Eliza (buried 1898) on the 25^th February.

Sophia died aged 81 in 1929 (death registered in Kingsclere)

Mrs P    Page 165   Code P(A)7

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