A Painter and Decorator

 It is a while since I have written about one of my male paternal ancestors, so I picked Thomas Tomlinson.

Thomas Tomlinson was born around 1819 at Bracken Hill, in Ackworth, Yorkshire.  He was the eighth child of John Tomlinson and Mary Brownbridge. His siblings were William, Elizabeth, John, George, Ann, Joseph, Jane, Charles, Sarah and Maria.  He was baptised on 7 November 1819 at Ackworth Parish Church.

Ackworth was and is a rural area. Record show that father John Tomlinson mostly worked as a farmer or farmer labourer, apart from a brief stint as a labourer just before Thomas was born.

I don’t know much about Thomas Tomlinson’s childhood but he signed his marriage certificates with a fluent signature, so at some point he got an education.  He may also have had the opportunity to learn some music as later in life he played violin well enough to play in public.

In his teens, Thomas must have learned his trade as a painter, gilder and decorator.  I haven’t found an apprenticeship record yet.

On 3 December 1840, Thomas Tomlinson married Martha Denton.  Thomas and Martha had at least four children: Sarah, Jane, Henry and Eliza Ann, before Martha died in February 1853.  There is a seven-year gap between Henry and Eliza Ann, so there may have been other children who I haven’t found yet.

Sometime between 1844 and 1851, Thomas and his family moved to Batley, where his brother John was already living.  Batley was a bustling industrial town so may have offered more opportunities for a young house painter.

In the 1851 Census, Thomas and family were living in Commercial Street in Batley.  The household included Stephen Briggs, an apprentice painter, who I think was Thomas’s nephew.  At this time, Thomas employed one man in his painting business.

Somehow, not long after his first wife died, Thomas met Jane Pearson, who was from Kirkland near Penrith, Cumberland, and in 1851 was a servant in Cheshire.  Thomas and Jane married in Dacre, Cumberland on 21 November 1853.  Thomas and Jane had five children in quick succession: Hannah Maria, John, Ann, Mary Brownbridge and Frances Elizabeth (my ancestor).  Frances was born on 11 March 1860 and Jane died on 27 March 1860 from haemorrhaging following her daughter’s birth.

Thomas Tomlinson’s spinster sister Maria was evidently available to help look after her nieces and nephews when needed.  In the 1861 census, she was part of the household, along with her and Thomas’s nephew George who was an apprentice learning the painter trade from his uncle.  By this time, Thomas employed two men and two boys, so was doing well.

By the time of the 1871, Thomas ruled over a household of 11 people, including his niece Sarah Ann Dunn who was a servant and sister Maria still providing child care.  He now employed 10 men and one boy, so business was booming.

In 1879, Thomas acquired a third wife, Mary Ineson nee Brook, who brought four more children into the family from her first marriage: William, Frederick, Julian and Gertrude.

By 1881, Thomas was employing 8 men and 5 boys, so still doing well.

In addition to him playing the violin, I have found further information about Thomas Tomlinson from Newspapers.  Thomas was actively involved with Zion Methodist Church in Batley musically, socially and financially. One of his close friends, also a member of the church for some time, was Reuben Blakeley.  Reuben migrated to New Zealand where he was a notable musician and composer.  He composed a hymn for Thomas’ funeral.

On 18 Dec 1898, Thomas Tomlinson died, age nearly 70.  From humble circumstances, he became a very successful painter and decorator in Batley.  When probate was granted, his effects were valued at £17809 8s 1d.  I am sure that one penny was important.

Thomas was buried at Batley Cemetery.

Notes on lineage: Me > Dad > Helen Akeroyd > Percy Tomlinson Akeroyd > Frances Elizabeth Tomlinson > Thomas Tomlinson