RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: IBarwise on Saturday 21 July 12 21:17 BST (UK)
-
This is a difficult one - I've been looking for him for 15 years, and have found some tantalisingly close, but not him. He married in Bristol 25/10/1868 and was said to be 23, father also Thomas Pitts, labourer. In the 1871 census in Bootle he was aged 25, born Torquay (shows as Pitt). I think he died Q3 1879, aged 34.
In the 1851 census there's a Thomas Pitts 46 in Halifax, born Torquay, with a son Thomas 9 born Otley. (He may have been a priest). I've eliminated this Thomas.
In the 1861 census there's a Thomas Pitts 12 in Torquay, born Dunsford, but I think I've proved his father was Henry.
-
In my Torquay baptism database, There are only three Thomas Pitt/Pitts.
One born in 1804 and the Thomas received into the church in 1843 (born 1841) But I can confirm that the father of this Thomas was a clergyman Thomas jnr was privately baptised in Totley, Yorkshire. The 1804 baptism is for Thomas senior.
In 1851, 61 & 71 census the family was in St Georges, Sowerby, Yorkshire.
The third Thomas was born & baptised in 1871.
In the 1851 census there is a 9 yr old Thomas Pitts but he is born Hennock but his father is John a farmer born Bovey Tracey.
-
Thanks for that. It's a mystery. I did wonder if he might have been the illegitimate son of Thomas the clergyman, but according to the wedding certificate, his father was a labourer.
-
1851 Thomas and Agnes (down as Cites but reads Pitts) have a son Thomas 7 and William 5 all down as born Tiverton Devon :-\
They are living Westminster. Thomas Snr is a carpenter.
1861 they are in Lambeth. Thomas Snr cabinet maker. Thomas Jnr 17 ditto.
1871 Thomas and Agnes back in Devon but no children with them.
I mention just in case because born Devon and father is Thomas but doesn't sound right occupation does it oh well.
What was your Thomas occupation when he married?
-
Both Thomas's were labourers on the wedding certificate.
I think I've seen that Thomas from London, I did check a few from there, but I'll check him out again. It's the Torquay connection that keeps throwing me - I wouldn't expect many Thomas Pitts in Torquay.
Anyway, thanks for your help.
-
Bit odd isn't it. I can't find a birth for Thomas Pitts in Torquay 1845 either. Closest is 1842 Newton Abbot district.
Have you got his wife and daughter in 1881 to confirm she was a widow?
Looks like other daughter died in 1871.
-
No, I can't find them till the 1901 census (and 1911). There were 2 daughters Louisa and Amelia (my g grandmother) and one son John who should be on the census. Louisa married in 1887 and Amelia late 1891.
I think I investigated that Newton Abbot one too.
-
Hmmm couple of theories spring to mind like he didn't know who his father was and just made up the name Thomas labourer for a father when he married :-\
People did make up fathers and occupations as have come across it in my own research so looking for father and son both Thomas could be a red herring.
Or he didn't know exactly where he was born, maybe knew it was Devon and plumped for Torquay when he was of age - where was he living when he got married? - so in 1851/1861 he might be down under a different birthplace.
He might even be down under a different surname if his mother was unmarried then married someone else who took him on till he was of age then he reverted to his own surname.
Sorry lots of theories there but have to cover all bases!
-
Did Amelia marry John Duffy?
1891
Elizabeth Pitts 39
Amelia Pitts 19
John Pitts 18
John Duffey 24
Mary Ellen Duffey 10 months
-
There's a tree that has Thomas born 1845 Stoodleigh/Stadley Devon to William and Mary Ann.
Don't know where that is - near Torquay hopefully!
1851 has him Scotland House Rackenford Devon age 6
1861 has him 17 Barton Vale Bristol Glos age 16 *
Don't know if that's correct but maybe worth another look at that Thomas just in case tho why he wouldn't say his father was William I don't know. If nothing else his father is a labourer ;D
* and didn't he marry in Bristol - I wonder where Elizabeth was in 1861.
-
Last one I promise (not had breakfast yet!)
The tree info fits with the birth of Thomas Burnett Pitt Dec 1845 Tiverton which covers Stoodleigh.
There's another one same district Jun 1843.
No s though on Pitt :-\
-
Yes, there's a couple from Tiverton I need to check (Stoodley is near Tiverton, which is about 25 miles from Torquay) - I don't have access to the censuses right now. I'm fairly sure I checked some from Tiverton years ago when I researched, and rejected them. The one from London seems the most promising. And I keep coming back to the priest, he was definitely Torquay.
One possible clue I have is that his eldest daughter was named Louisa Emily. The other children's names come from the mother's family, so I'm thinking Thomas's mother was maybe Louisa.
Yes they married in Bristol 1868, and Louisa was born in Bristol in 1869. By 1871 they were in Bootle.
-
Just having some trouble trying to post my reply, this might be a duplicate message.
Yes, there's a couple from Tiverton I need to check (Stoodley is near Tiverton, which is about 25 miles from Torquay) - I don't have access to the censuses right now. I'm fairly sure I checked some from Tiverton years ago when I researched, and rejected them. The one from London seems the most promising. And I keep coming back to the priest, he was definitely Torquay.
One possible clue I have is that his eldest daughter was named Louisa Emily. The other children's names come from the mother's family, so I'm thinking Thomas's mother was maybe Louisa.
Yes they married in Bristol 1868, and Louisa was born in Bristol in 1869. By 1871 they were in Bootle.
-
The Reverend Thomas Pitts died 10 Jan 1874 Middlesex. His widow was Gertrude nee Prowse married 1840 Newton Abbot district.
If I have the right Gertrude she died 20 August 1882 and her sole executor was son The Reverend Thomas Pitts so that definitely rules him out as being yours if he was still alive in 1882..........or does it?
We haven't found Elizabeth and co in 1881 to be sure he was the death in 1879.
-
Descendancy Narrative of Reverend Thomas Pitts (135)
Reverend Thomas PITTS (135).
Thomas (135) was born at Torquay on 17 Jul 1804. was baptized on 17 Aug 1804 at Tormoham.
married Gertrude PROWSE (193) at Torquay, Devon,, on 19 May 1840.
resided at Torquay, Devon,in 1840, According to Ellis , he lived at Pittville(Formerly Marina House ) , New Quay (Cary Parade) Torquay.
He appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1841 at Burroughs Lane, Ottley.
Thomas (135)'s occupation: Clergy list for 1847-
Pitts Thos. Perp. Curate of St. George's, Sowerby Nr Halifax, Yorks
Still there in 1864
at St. George's, Sowerby in Halifax,, in 1841.
He resided at St. George's, Sowerby in Halifax,, on 5 Jul 1843, address at baptism of son Thomas, which took place in Torquay but address given in Parish records is given as "Sowerby in Halifax."
He appeared on the census of 30 Mar 1851 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby.
Thomas Pitts was still at Sowerby in March 1859, as he - and presumably his son Thomas Pitt - witnessed an ancestors will.
at St. George's, Sowerby in Halifax,, in Mar 1859.
He appeared on the census of 7 Apr 1861 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby. Thomas (135)'s occupation: at St. George's, Sowerby in Halifax,, in 1864. Clergy list for 1847
Pitts Thos. Perp. Curate of St. George's, Sowerby Nr Halifax, Yorks
Still there in 1864
He appeared on the census of 2 Apr 1871 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby. Thomas (135) died before 1881.
1 Thomas2 PITTS (2125).
Thomas (2125) was born on 6 Apr 1841. from baptism record. He appeared on the census of 7 Jun 1841 at Burroughs Lane, Ottley. He was baptized at Torquay, Devon,, on 5 Jul 1843. Religion:. Tor Parish Church records on microfiche in Torquay
Library
Baptisms
Born April 6th 1841 baptised July 5th 1843
Thomas , son of Thomas & Gertrude Pitts
Address; St. George's, Sowerby in Halifax, Yorks
Fathers Occupation; Clergyman.
He appeared on the census of 30 Mar 1851 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby.
Gertrude Elizabeth2 PITTS (2222). . Gertrude (2222) was born at Sowerby in Halifax, Yorkshire,, circa 1845. She appeared on the census of 30 Mar 1851 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby.
She appeared on the census of 7 Apr 1861 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby.
She appeared on the census of 2 Apr 1871 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby.
She married Charles NORMINGTON (2223) circa 1875. As of circa 1875, her married name was NORMINGTON (2222).
She was listed as a resident in the census report at Spencer Place Ladies School, Potter Newton, York,, on 3 Apr 1881. Dwelling: Spencer Place Ladies School
Census Place: Potter Newton, York, England
Charles NORMINGTON M 39 M Halifax, York, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Certificated Teacher (Mr School)
Gertrude NORMINGTON M 36 F Sowerby, York, England
Rel: Wife
Occ: Painting Music Teach Drawing School)
Edith G. NORMINGTON 5 F Leeds, York, England
Rel: Dau
Occ: Scholar
Mary NORMINGTON 2 F Leeds, York, England
Rel: Dau
Harold NORMINGTON 7 m M Leeds, York, England
Rel: Son
Gertrude PITTS W 75 F Torquay, Devon, England
Rel: Mother In Law
Emily J. WOODCOCK U 23 F Upper Walmer, Kent, England
Rel: Assist Teach
Occ: Teacher Of Music
Rachael SOMERSET W 38 F Castleford, York, England
Rel: Servant
Occ: Nurse Domestic Ser.
2.3 Harold3 NORMINGTON (2226). Harold (2226) died. Harold (2226) was born at Leeds,, circa 1880. He was listed as a resident in the census report at Spencer Place Ladies School, Potter Newton, York,, on 3 Apr 1881.
Bernard2 PITTS (3137) was born circa 1849 at Sowerby, Yorks.
He appeared on the census of 30 Mar 1851 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby.
He appeared on the census of 7 Apr 1861 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby.
He appeared on the census of 2 Apr 1871 at St Georges Parsonage, Sowerby.
He appeared on the census of 3 Apr 1881 at St Thomas Hospital, London.
He appeared on the census of 5 Apr 1891 at 31 Harley Street, London.
Printed on: 23 Jul 2012
-
Yes, the legitimate son Thomas was definitely not my ancestor, I'd discovered that he was at Loughborough in 1891! I was just clutching at straws really, because the Rev Thomas Pitts had the strong association with Torquay, so maybe he might have had an illegitimate son, but unlikely.
-
It wouldn't have been a very reverend thing to do would it :o
Back to the drawing board. If only we could find the rest of them in 1881 but I've looked and looked.
Maybe someone else will have more luck.
All we have for sure is the 1871 and the marriage. I'm not sure about Torquay you know but am out of options for the minute.