Thomas George had three very different occupations during his lifetime – that of Engine Fitter and Turner; Beerhouse keeper and finally farmer!
Thomas was born in about 1848 in Pencombe, Herefordshire, the son of Timothy and Martha George. By 1871 he was living in Swindon at 43 Taunton Street lodging with George Miggens and his family and working as a Turner. The following year he married Lucena Rathbone at St John’s Church, Bedminster.
By 1881 Thomas was a beer house keeper and green grocer living at Bridge House, 34 Fleet Street with Lucena and their four sons. Lucena died in 1889 aged 42. She was buried on February 27 in grave plot E8225.
In 1890 Thomas married Mary Smith Thomson and in 1891 the couple are recorded on the census as living in Park Lane in a property called Rathbone Villa, presumably named after his first wife. Lucena’s seven sons still lived at home with Thomas and their stepmother Mary. The elder three, William, Henry and Albert were all Engine Turner apprentices.
And then in his fifties Thomas decided to try his hand at farming. As a child growing up in Herefordshire there had been periods when he had lived with both his grandfather and his uncle on farms in Yarpole and Lucton. So, at around the turn of the 20th century, Thomas moved to Kite Hill, Wanborough where he remained until his death in 1930.
Mary, his second wife, died in 1920 and was buried in grave plot E8086 with her parents George and Mary Smith Thomson and her sister Agnes Cooper Thomson.
In 1922, in his mid 70s, Thomas married again. His third wife was Catherine Burns Thomson, his second wife’s sister.
Thomas died in 1930 and was buried on November 12 in grave plot E8087. Catherine died just six months later and was buried with him.
The late Mr T. George – The funeral of Mr T. George, who died at his residence, “Blenheim,” Kite Hill, Wanborough, took place at Swindon Cemetery on Wednesday, the first part of the service being at St. Mark’s Church. The family mourners were: Mr W.T. George (New Cross, London), Mr H. George (Swindon), Mr S. George (Wanborough), Mr P. George (Clydach, Swansea), (sons), and Mr S. Mills (Swindon). (cousin)
Others present were: Messrs. A.W. Norris, G. Turner and G. Gibbs. Floral tokens were received from Mrs George (widow), Mr and Mrs W.T. George, Mr and Mrs S. George and son, Mr and Mrs P. George, Ernest and Olive George, Mr and Mrs Allen (Bristol), Mr S. Mills and family, Mr and Mrs G. Turner and Mrs Bray, Mr and Mrs H. Stratford, Mr and Mrs Cook, Mr and Mrs Norris and Mr and Mrs G. Gibbs.
The coffin was inscribed, “Thomas George, fell asleep Nov. 7th, 1930, aged 83 years.”
The deceased was an old member of the ASE, and formerly a well-known Swindonian, having being employed in the GWR Works. He was a member of the 2nd Wilts Battalion Volunteers, and was the last surviving non-commissioned officer. Subsequently he held an off-licence in Fleet Street and the Volunteer Inn. Leaving urban pursuits behind 34 years ago, he started farming at Wanborough, and continued until a short while ago. His local friends and neighbours came to regard him as a very straightforward man, who took much interest in national affairs.
North Wilts Herald, Friday, November 14, 1930
Recent views of houses in Park Lane. Could one of these be Rathbone Villa? We’d love to hear from you if it is.
Radnor Street Cemetery 