Thomas PITTS born Torquay 1845

[IBarwise]

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.

[terryleaman]

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.

[IBarwise]

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.

[Milliepede]

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?

[IBarwise]

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.

[Milliepede]

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.

[IBarwise]

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.

[Milliepede]

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!

[Milliepede]

Did Amelia marry John Duffy?

1891
Elizabeth Pitts 39
Amelia Pitts 19
John Pitts 18
John Duffey 24
Mary Ellen Duffey 10 months