THOMAS DELL:

Thomas was born in the first half of the 1820s but no birth record has been found. & his age does vary in the census records.  No 1841 census has been found either.

There are two possible baptisms, Both at St Nicholas’, Newbury:

31 January 1819. Father William (Bargeman) & Sarah.

12 July 1821. Father William (Bargeman) & Harriet.

The second is probably the most likely.

The father, William, was also the father of William Dell Ref: 3224 which would make him Thomas’ brother but more research is needed to confirm this,

Thomas married Sarah Chapman, from Wantage, in Q1 1851 Newbury (6 283) & in that year’s census, they were living in Chubbs Yard, St Mary’s Hill, Newbury. Thomas was a Baker. There were two children living with them: Mark Towber, 10, & Eliza Wright, 6. No relationship to Thomas or Sarah is recorded. No further records have been found for Mark but Eliza went on to marry Thomas’ nephew, Joseph.

Sarah died in 1852 from chronic inflammation of the cerebral membrane (Q1 1852 Newbury 2c 137).

Thomas remarried in 1856 to Mary Poffley from Stockcross (Q1 1856 Newbury 2c 239).

The 1861 census shows them in Bridge Yard, Greenham.  Thomas is about 35 & now a Painter & Glazier. They have three children Ellen, 4; Thomas, 2 (Ref: 4988) & Mary Ann, 10 months.

In 1871 Thomas is about 50 & has gone back to being a Jobbing Baker. The family are living in Back Lane, Newbury. Mary is 38 & the children are Ellen, 14; Thomas, 12 (Ref: 4988); Mary Ann, 10; Sarah Ann, 7; Elizabeth, 5 & Alice 9 months.

The family move to The City, Derby Road, Newbury by the 1881 census. Thomas is recorded as 57 & still a Baker with Mary being 47. Daughters Sarah, 18 & Elizabeth, 15, are recorded as being Servants. The other children still at home are Alice, 11; Rosina, 8; Kate L,7 & Henry, 3.

Thomas died on 8 November 1885 (Q4 Newbury 2c 156), aged 62, in Newbury District Hospital from stricture of the urethra causing haematuria. His daughter, Mary Ann, was present. He is recorded as a Master Baker.

Thomas was buried at NRC on 14 November 1885.

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