Thomas Cross of Middle Fen?

[Taylor94]

Looking for the parents of Thomas Cross.
I have Thomas Cross marrying Hannah Lawrence 7 Apr 1812. Thomas is a bachelor of St Marys Parish and Hannah, Spinster, of Ely Trinity.
In 1841 they are living in Middle Fen (Area between Stuntney and Queen Adelaide). Thomas is aged 45 (Birth date of 1796)
In 1851 they are living at Middle Fen Bank. Thomas is aged 58 (Birthdate of 1793).
1861 census was destroyed in a flood.
In 1871 Thomas and Hannah are living at Middle Fen. Thomas is aged 79 (Birthdate of 1792).
In 1841- 1851 Thomas is an Ag Lab but in 1871 he appears to be a farmer of 20 acres.
Birthplace is listed as Ely on census.
I believe he is the Thomas Cross who died at Stuntney 1877. Birthdate given as 1790.

I cant seem to find a baptism for him anywhere.
He is not the Thomas Cross, bapt 1791 Ely. Son of Charles Cross and Elizabeth Bartle. Pretty much all trees put these as his parents but this is a red herring. This family are also living at Middle Fen as well but this Thomas is living with father Charles in 1851 (Also at Middle Fen).

I do have a dna match with someone who descends from George Cross 1812 Ely, son of Philip Cross and Mary Ong but as far as I can see, this Philip did not a have a son called Thomas. So, the dna link might be at a further generation.

[PatLac]

Could he be one of these? (all from https://www.freereg.org.uk)

Baptism entry search made on 23 Apr 2025
Field   Value
County   Cambridgeshire
Place (Links to more information)   Manea
Church name (Links to more information)   St Nicholas
Register type (Links to more information)   Parish Register
Register entry number   
Birth date   
Baptism date   07 Aug 1796
Person forename   Thos
Person sex   M
Father forename   John
Mother forename   Eliz
Father surname   CROSS
Mother surname   
Person abode   
Father occupation   
Notes   
Suffix   
Transcribed by   Jane Cowley
File line number   383


Baptism entry search made on 23 Apr 2025
Field   Value
County   Cambridgeshire
Place (Links to more information)   Witchford
Church name (Links to more information)   St Andrew
Register type (Links to more information)   Other Transcript
Register entry number   
Birth date   
Baptism date   07 Feb 1796
Person forename   Thomas
Person sex   M
Father forename   Charles
Mother forename   Phebe
Father surname   CROSS
Mother surname   
Person abode   
Father occupation   
Notes   
Suffix   
Transcribed by   Avril Symonds
Credit   Avril Symonds
File line number   1533


Baptism entry search made on 23 Apr 2025
Field   Value
County   Cambridgeshire
Place (Links to more information)   Cottenham
Church name (Links to more information)   All Saints
Register type (Links to more information)   Other Transcript
Register entry number   
Birth date   
Baptism date   27 Sep 1795
Person forename   Thomas
Person sex   M
Father forename   John
Mother forename   Elizabeth
Father surname   CROSS
Mother surname   
Person abode   
Father occupation   
Notes   
Suffix   
Transcribed by   Avril Symonds
Credit   Avril Symonds
File line number   530

[amondg]

I suggest contacting the Cambridgeshire Family History Society they have more transcriptions of

Parish registers than are online.

[Taylor94]

Hi,

The Thomas Cross bapt 1796 Witchford, son of Charles and Phoebe. It seems he dies 1838 Witchford.
The Thomas Cross bapt 1796 Manea, son of John and Elizabeth. It seems he dies 1802 Manea. They then baptise another son Thomas in 1803, who dies in 1849 Manea.
The Thomas Cross bapt 1795 Cottenham, son of John and Elizabeth. It seems he dies after 1881. He is living at Cottenham on all census records up until then.
There is a Thomas Cross, bapt 1793 at Bluntisham (About 12 miles from Ely), son of Philip Cross and Mary Kitson/Kidson. I cant seem to find this Thomas after the baptism in the local area so this could be a possibility? The age is about right. My Thomas consistently lists his birthplace as Ely though, on census.

[PatLac]

According to his baptism register transcript on FamilySearch they were Baptists. Does it match to your ancestor's religion?

Mother Mary Kidson, on marriage register and son Seth Kidson Cross baptised in 1782. Thomas was the youngest of 9 children.

Mary Kidson
Mentioned in the Record of Philip Crop (Mary Kidson's Husband)

Mary Kidson person details
Name   Mary Kidson
Sex   F
Mary Kidson's Spouses and Children

Philip Crop
Husband
M

Philip Crop person details
Name   Philip Cross
Sex   Male
Spouse's Name   Mary Kidson
Spouse's Sex   Female
Event Type   Marriage
Event Date   

11 March 1776
Event Place   Holywell cum Needingworth, Huntingdonshire, England, United Kingdom


Most of his siblings died in infancy, but the oldest William, baptised in 1779 could have died in Ely Union.

CROSS, WILLIAM       60 
GRO Reference: 1839  J Quarter in ELY UNION  Volume 14  Page 48

[PatLac]

"I believe he is the Thomas Cross who died at Stuntney 1877. Birthdate given as 1790."

There was a Thomas Cross born abt 1825 at Ely, wife Rebecca and children living in Ely Trinity in 1851, Stuntney in 1871, Ely Holy Trinity in 1881.

Do you think he could be one of his sons?

[Taylor94]

Yes, it is his son.
Thomas Cross and Rebecca Long are my 4th Great Grandparents.

[PatLac]

Thanks. I think Thomas of Bluntisham is a good candidate.