THOMAS BROWN/BTS FORMIDABLE

[gofarby]

Would be extremely grateful for any help locating date of death of Thomas Brown born 26 Nov 1852 in Portishead & also records of his service aboard BTS Formidable post 1878 (when he left the Navy to get married).   In 1881 Thomas & his wife, Rebecca, lived at 37 Village, Portishead but in the 1891 & 1901 censuses Rebecca was "head" of the household.   I cannot trace what happened to Thomas after 1881.   I have found the following - "Thomas Brown of Stuart Cottage, Portishead, Somerset tailor died 26  February 1894 at the lunatic asylum Wells Administration (with Will) Bristol 16 April to Rebecca Brown widow" - not sure if this is the right Thomas Brown, or which asylum he died in, and any assistance would be much appreciated.

[Liz in France]

Hi,

The probate entry looks very promising although from a seaman to a tailor, quite possible.

There was an assylum at Wells and I would try to find out more about that.  It is possible that it means an assylum in the Wells jurisdiction and that covers a big area of Somerset so may not be that easy.

Rebecca is down as married in 1891 and a widow in 1901, so Thomas was still alive in 1891 but dead by 1901.  That narrows it down to 10 years!

There are many factors that are correct on the probate entry that makes it more hopeful.  Why don't you send for the Will, it may uncover a lot of information.

Best of luck with it.
Elizabeth

[hanes teulu]

1891 census RG12 1914 139 8

Brown F, Patient, Married, 38, Journeyman Tailor Lunatic, b. Portishead
Address Somerset and Bath Asylum, Horrington Out Parish St Cuthberts, Wells

Looked at the original image to check if the F should be a T - difficult to decide.

FreeBMD has the death registration
Thomas Brown, Mar 1894, age 40,  Wells, 5c 408

tantalisingly close!!

regards

[gofarby]

Thanks to both Liz and Hanes for the very helpful hints/info.   I will get the Will and also try to track down the Somerset & Bath Asylum records and let you know how I get on.    Thomas is my husband's g.grandfather and my own g.grandmother died in an asylum in Abergavenny in 1920 and I recently obtained her records which included a photograph of her.  Although it was sad to think she had ended her days in such a place, the records noted that she was always singing so I take comfort that she seems to have been happy.   Hopefully, I will be as successful in finding Thomas.

Thanks again
Jeannette