Extracted from ‘Peter’s People in the 19th Century’ By John Tillman
How did the Tillmans arrive in Sunderland ? - Well for me it was somewhat easier –
As a Cadet Officer, sailing with the Union-Castle S.S. Company, I was instructed to join the
“Drakensberg Castle” on 18th December 1953 to take her to Newcastle for Dry-docking , on arrival I was transferred to the “Roxburgh Castle” in a Sunderland dry dock, a Christmas time never to forget- hence on the 18th January 1954 we left on a round trip to Capetown, ( arriving back in the U.K. March 18th – full of Oranges) this had been my 10th voyage with
‘ The Lavender Hull Mob’.
Here I must take you back to February 25th 1801, when my 3xGreat Grandfather Peter Tillman ( b.1768 ) a yeoman Farmer ( as was his Father and Grandfather ) from Lympstone, in S.Devon, married Tammy Warren (b. 1782) from Withycombe Raleigh – a longish walk, or quick horse ride away from Lympstone.
Cutting to essentials – Peter died young in 1816 – leaving Tammy a widow, with her three existing children to look after – Thomasin b. 1803, George b.1805, and John b. 1811. It seems however that she was not penniless, as Peter had made provision for her in his will.
For certain, the next record I found, was when Tammy married her daughter Orf ! in 1821, to a Mr Henry George Ellington ( Mate of the “Seaflower ),who whisked Thomasin away to Sunderland – the first to arrive !! about the same time my direct 2x Great Grandfather George went to London to become apprentice to a Carriage Lamp Maker.( Another story.)
This left Tammy with young 10year old John. Then in 1822 Widow Tammy married widower ( with five young children) Thomas Goodsir Master Mariner (of the Brig “Transfer” from Scarborough) – Taking young John – off they went to live in Scarborough.
Next event, was Young John, by then 14yrs old, joined the “Fenwick” of Sunderland as an Apprentice in 1825.
Time line :
1831. Thomas Goodsir dies and Tammy moves to Sunderland to be close to Thomasin .
1834. In February Tammy (aged 52 yrs dies and is buried in the churchyard at Holy Trinity
Bishopwearmouth Sunderland).
On the 10 th May Tammy’s son, John now 2nd Mate on the ‘Denton’ married Margaret
Tullick (daughter of a Master Mariner) in St Peter’s Church Monkwearmouth. The
chief witness was Thomasin (John’s sister).
1836. An Architect was born to Margaret and named John.
1841. Captain John’s first daughter – Mary Isabella was born.
1844. Capt. John and Margaret’s second daughter Louisa was born;
1852. Another Architect was born – Thomas, who would become a partner in the firm
1858. Thomasin died aged 55years.
1862. Mary Isabella married William Turnbull on 20th January at St Michael’s All Angels
1863. Mary Isabella gave birth, to what would be her only daughter Dorothy, as in fact, on
the 1st Sept 1873 William at the age of only 34 died.
1868. Captain John died, while on his ship the ‘Royal Arch in Sulina (Danube)Roumania.
1880. Last of the Captain’s daughters Louisa married the Rev Alan Wilson.
1887. Captain John’s wife Margaret died. 1890. Louisa aged only 45 years died;
1892. At the young age of 40years Thomas, who had not been in good health died.
1899. On the 31st Dec saw the death of our Architect John Tillman FRIBA, last surviving
member of Captain’s family Mary Isabella died in 1907.
Best
John
