Biographical Notes |
Note: Although born in his father's home town of Withyham in Sussex, young Thomas grew up in Kent at Tunbridge Wells, where he became a miller, following in his father's footsteps. In the census of 1871 Thomas 32 is a miller and landowner who employed four men and a boy on his property. His wife Anne is 28 and has one child at home, little Anne who is two years old. Thomas' mother Fanny Caffyn, 64 years old and widowed, is also in the household, as is his sister Fanny 26 years. Three servants support the household: Ann Miles 22; Elizabeth Hemsley 12, nurse; and Luke Streatfield, miller 22.
Ten years later in 1881 Thomas 42 was a miller who employed four men and a boy at his mill. His wife Ann 38 yrs had been born in Forest Row, Sussex. In the household were daughter Rosa 16 and son William one. Also there was Thomas' sister Fanny Caffyn, 36 yrs. John W. Silbey 23 was an assistant to the miller, and Mary Ann Luck was a domestic servant.
In 1891 Thomas 52 was a miller and farmer. Anne 48 yrs had three children and a sister-in-law (Fanny Caffyn) at home. Son Charles 24 was a miller, Annie was 22 yrs and Harry 15. They also had a domestic servant named Alice Stone, 20 years old.
In 1891 at Ashurst Mill, Thomas 52 was a "miller and farmer." Anne 48 had two grown children at home: Charles 24, a miller; and Annie 22. What happened to Rose, who was at boarding school with Charles in the 1871 census report? Perhaps she had married.
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