Richard Thomas
Richard Thomas was born on 21 December 1861, at Waterside, to Richard and Sarah Mackereth.
RTM is an enigma; he was the youngest of the family and so had to 'seek his fortune' elsewhere. This is compounded by the fact that he didn't settle down until relatively late in life.
His progress can be tracked using the census and other reports.
His progress can be tracked using the census and other reports.
Click on the map and an interactive version will open in another window.
He still worked at Waterside in 1881 but by 1891 he worked for F. Silvester, a magistrate, at North Hall, Worthington. In this census he is referred to as Thomas and it is probable that this was his accepted name.
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In the West Riding Electoral registers of 1894 to 1899 he is listed as living at Ford House, Buck Lane, Baildon and working at Rushcroft Farm.
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Buck House Farm, Baidon.
Now a B&B
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But by 1901, he had moved to Green Farm, in Farsley, where he is employed as a cattleman working for H. Hainsworth.
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In 1911, he had moved again, to Hunger Hill Farm, (15 Station Rd) in Cullingworth, near Bradford.
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!5 Station Rd , Cullingworth, reconstructed
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This is particularly relevant because he now had a housekeeper, Lillie Cocksworth.
Soon after, possibly as a result of The Great War, he moved to the Barnbow area. The reason for his move can only be conjectured but it was the site of the First National Shell Filling Factory. This establishment had a huge demand for milk
Soon after, possibly as a result of The Great War, he moved to the Barnbow area. The reason for his move can only be conjectured but it was the site of the First National Shell Filling Factory. This establishment had a huge demand for milk
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Certainly his address, in 1915, was Rose Cottage, Barnbow because his son, also named Thomas, was born to Florence Wood, his current housekeeper. Interestingly, Thomas, senior, seems to accept his responsibility because his name is on the birth certificate of his son.
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Rose Cottage Barwick in Elmet
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However, confusion sets in. Florence Wood married Thomas Calvert, on 5 September 1917, at Barwick in Elmet; and then, on 22 Apr.1919, Richard Thomas Mackereth married Lillie Cocksworth at Harrogate.
These events serve to prompt a question as to what happened? Thomas and Lillie lived at The Chestnuts, Barnbow for the rest of their lives but had no children. (The Chestnuts is across the road from Rose Cottage at Barnbow Carr). Thomas died on 9 May 1936, at home, from Liver Cancer and was buried at All Saints Barwick in Elmet on 12 May 1936: Lillie died on 3 November 1952 at St. James Hospital, Leeds. |
The Chestnuts, Barwick in Elmet
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It is interesting that Richard Thomas left quite a sum to Richard Fox and James Fox, his nephews via his sister Mary, but nothing to his wife or his son.
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Mackereth Richard Thomas of Chestnuts Barnbow Barwick in Elmet Yorkshire died 9 May 1936 Probate London 15 June to Richard Mackereth Fox and James Ernest Fox Farmers. Effects £3008 12s 11d.
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Florence Calvert, Tom's mother, died in 1963, in Mansfield, Notts, aged about 80
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