MORECRAFT Herne Bay 1830s

[Petros]

Thomas MORECRAFT (a butcher) and his wife Elizabeth had two children baptised in Herne Bay in the 1830s. Rebecca Elizabeth in 1833 and Thomas in 1835. She married in London in 1856, he in Dover in 1858. Her wedding certificate doesn't state if her father was dead and Thomas MORECRAFT was one of the witnesses.

However, I have been unable to ascertain where Thomas and Elizabeth came from nor where they went. Thomas was apparently declared bankrupt in 1839, late of  Pier Hotel Tap, Herne Bay.

None of the family can be found in the 1841 census while the 1851 census only shows the two children, in separate households, as a servant and apprentice blacksmith respectively.

The occupation of the elder Thomas suggests he probably came from Bucks as most male MORECRAFTS in Bucks at that time were butchers

[HistoricalGenealogy]

Sorry to bring you this news, but unfortunately, the 1841 census for Herne Bay has not survived.

You can find more information here:
https://www.findmypast.com/articles/census-for-england-wales-and-scotland-missing-pieces

[grandarog]

You may find this Newspaper Article of interest. Source FindMyPast.

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers/results?keywords=herne%20bay&names=thomas%20morecraft&sid=117

[Petros]

Thanks both. I had wondered if the 1841 census had disappeared for the area.
Unfortunately the Newspaper articles are about the younger Thomas' descendants

[ShaunJ]

Thomas MORECRAFT (a butcher)

He was an ostler in 1833 per Rebecca's baptism, and a publican in 1835 per Thomas' baptism.

Here he is listed as a beer seller: https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/c84d30a4-5640-4a06-9aaf-66b00c3e6f43

And here he is a seller of beer and spirits, and an ostler: https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/daae3fc0-e936-46b8-a10e-0a2335e7e46a

[bearkat]

Thanks both. I had wondered if the 1841 census had disappeared for the area.

You are correct, the 1841 census for Whitstable is missing.

[Petros]

Shaun. Thanks for those image links. I couldn;t locate them again when I searched for them.

Unfortunately nothing helps indicate whence Thomas came from

[trish1120]

There is a Death Reg 1849 Dover age 53 and Burial on FreeREG for;

Thomas MOORECROFT 16 Dec 1849 St Mary, Dover, age 53, abode Round Tower St.

Dont have access to FindMyPast so is the address a possible for Thomas?

[Petros]

Trish.

That burial is a possibility but there is no burial in Dover, or anywhere else in Kent, that appears to correspond to Thomas' wife/widow Elizabeth. However, his daughter's marriage certificate doesn;t state Thomas to have been deceased in 1856 and he may have been the Thomas who was a witness of the wedding.