A mariner from Great Tew?

[Waterhouse]

My ancestor Thomas Wilkinson was master mariner who declared on the 1861 census that he was born in Great Tew, around 1781. By occupation he was a master mariner, as were his two sons, born in Deptford, by the Thames in Kent. A professional search of the mercantile marine records at the National Archive has found no trace of Thomas. Nor has any record of his birth yet been found in the records for Great Tew or neighbouring parishes.

Can any Oxford folk help me track down his origins? From at least 1819 he was living in Deptford, then later in East London. On the 1851 census, his place of birth was stated as Oxfordshire; in 1841 he was marked as not born in Middlesex. His wife, Ellen, died at a time unknown between 1823 and the date of the 1841 census. I have not yet found his death certificate, either.

Thanks for any constructive suggestions.

[Pennie]

Although it's quite a distance from the Great Tew area (where you've found no record of Thomas), the IGI has a Thomas WILKENSON baptised 16 FEB 1780 at Cuddesdon, s. William and Ann.

If you've not already done so, it might be worth investigating this individual a little further (if only to eliminate him!) - did he marry/have children in the parish?

Pennie

[Waterhouse]

Thanks Pennie, I will investigate.
regards
Waterhouse