Thomas Richey and kin 1914 and earlier

[avm228]

Thomas HOLLINGWORTH (this spelling), 54 b Hampshire, is an actor in 1881 lodging in Newcastle with a Durham-born MORRISON family: RG11/5059/131/25.

He's enumerated as married.

[DarrenMW]

If as seems very possible Isabella dies in Holborn late 1866, perhaps in childbirth with Thomas Richey.

Perhaps Thomas Hollingsworth ran off & left Isabella with the (girls) children, and she then had a relationship with Robert Richey which produced her son Thomas Richey.

Still some slight confusion over Thomas Richey DOB though, if he is accurate that he was born in 1868 (per his 1914 war papers showing him to be 46), and Isabella dies die in 1866 we have a concern.

In the 1891 census (living with the Fergusons on the Strand) he is recorded as 25 (making an 1866 birth- ). Oddly, his miltary records have him in Malta in 1891 - perhaps the Fergusons listed him on the Census in absentia.

Maybe Isabella left Thomas and had an affair with Robert Richey.
Maybe Thomas Richey just made up a father because for some reason he didnt get on with his real father.

It is still a mystery.

I wish we could locate any of them in 1871 to try and piece together what may have happened.

Or a Birth reg for Thomas (either Richey or Hollingsworth)

At some stage you will have to but some certs to back up any theories.

[avm228]

If as seems very possible Isabella dies in Holborn late 1866, perhaps in childbirth with Thomas Richey.

Perhaps Thomas Hollingsworth ran off & left Isabella with the (girls) children, and she then had a relationship with Robert Richey which produced her son Thomas Richey.

There's no suitable birth registration at the right time/place to suggest that Isabella died as a result of giving birth to a live-born child.

Have you considered the possibility that Thomas HOLLINGWORTH (an actor in 1881) and Robert RICHEY are one and the same person - the latter possibly being a stage name for the former? Bear in mind that Thomas had a middle initial R in 1851 and a middle name Robert upon the baptism of two of his daughters (see above).

Since Thomas is "married" in the 1881 census, Thomas RICHEY the son might be a product of a relationship entered into by Thomas HOLLINGSWORTH after Isabella's death. He'd still be a half-brother to Catherine, Helen etc.

[DarrenMW]

Excellent idea....

In 1851 Thos Hollingsworth was a music teacher, aged 23 from Hants (census)

In 1881 Thos Hollingworth is an actor , aged 54 from Hants (census)

The assumed DOB's match, and music teacher to actor is a reasonable match.

He gets married in 1852 to Isabella and they have 3 girls, prior to Isabella dying (we are sure confident that's her?) in late 1866.

there's no record of them in the 1871 census???

He then appears again in Durham in 1881 census with another son Thomas Richey born 1866-1868, potentially as the result of a relationship after Isabellas death.

It is feasible to me, absolutely.


Additionally, Thomas Richey lists Robert Richey as his father in 1914, well...

Thomas 'Robert' Hollingsworth.

Perhaps Thomas went by the name Robert thru preference and simply added the stage name Richey.

Thomas Richeys oldest son (my Grandmothers brother) was born in 1915 and named ROBERT RICHEY also!

If as seems very possible Isabella dies in Holborn late 1866, perhaps in childbirth with Thomas Richey.

Perhaps Thomas Hollingsworth ran off & left Isabella with the (girls) children, and she then had a relationship with Robert Richey which produced her son Thomas Richey.

There's no suitable birth registration at the right time/place to suggest that Isabella died as a result of giving birth to a live-born child.

Have you considered the possibility that Thomas HOLLINGWORTH (an actor in 1881) and Robert RICHEY are one and the same person - the latter possibly being a stage name for the former? Bear in mind that Thomas had a middle initial R in 1851 and a middle name Robert upon the baptism of two of his daughters (see above).

Since Thomas is "married" in the 1881 census, Thomas RICHEY the son might be a product of a relationship entered into by Thomas HOLLINGSWORTH after Isabella's death. He'd still be a half-brother to Catherine, Helen etc.

[DarrenMW]

At this stage it appears very likely that Thomas Richey and Katherine Ferguson (nee Hollingsworth) listed as brother and sister on 1914 military forms are indeed HALF siblings.


a) Katherines mother Isabella dies in 1866 and her Father (Thomas Hollingsworth) fathers a son Thomas Richey.

b) Thomas Richey is the produce of Isabella having a relationship with a' Robert Richey'.

c) Thomas Richey was 'taken in' by the Hollingsworths, but then why would he later list 'Thomas Richey' as his father...I'm not sure about this theory anymore.


With the death of an Isabella Hollingsworth in 1866 I like option a better.

problem: Isabella possibly dies in 1866 aged 41, yet is listed on 1861 census as being only 33??

[lizdb]

At this stage it appears very likely that Thomas Richey and Katherine Ferguson (nee Hollingsworth) listed as brother and sister on 1914 military forms are indeed HALF siblings.


a) Katherines mother Isabella dies in 1866 and her Father (Thomas Hollingsworth) fathers a son Thomas Richey.

b) Thomas Richey is the produce of Isabella having a relationship with a' Robert Richey'.


With the death of an Isabella Hollingsworth in 1866 I like option a better.

problem: Isabella possibly dies in 1866 aged 41, yet is listed on 1861 census as being only 33??

We do not know this death is 'our isabella' - it is just something to consider.
Getting the death cert might help, to see who the informant was. That might rule it in or out as being her.

There is a difference in age, but an age given at death is only as relaible as the knowledge of the informant!

[lizdb]

I was just mulling over the christenings of illegitimate Thomases, just in case the Thomas k/a Robert Holl'wth k/a Richey having an affair scenario is the right one!

both St Giles Bloomsbury Workhouse births-
Thomas Syms born 17 Aug 1868
mum Hannah Syms

Thomas Fielder born 1 Dec 1869
mum Alice Fielder

No reason to think either of these is him, but you never know. He didnt seem to be registered under Richey or Hollingsworth, so maybe it was under his Mothers name, if indeed she was someone else that we havent found yet!

[DarrenMW]

Thanks for the last 2 posts Liz.....the plot thickens.

Here is what I have for the 'acting' link.

In 1915 Thomas Richey lists his father as 'Robert Richey, actor, deceased'

The entire generation are from the Holborn, Strand , Theatreland area of London.

In Dec 1914 Thomas Richey (son of Thomas Hollingsworth) gives his addr as 16, Maiden Lane which backs onto the Adelphi Theatre on the Strand. Next door at #18 was the lodgings for Adelphi actors.

In 1891 census Katherine Ferguson (nee Hollingsworth) & family plus Thomas Richey are residing at 418 The Strand, which is next door to .....the Adelphi Theatre!

The list of Adelphi actors shown in the wonderful1806-1900 research project (http://www.emich.edu/public/english/adelphi_calendar/perfactr.htm)
shows a 'Hollingsworth' performer in 1835?

Thomas Hollingsworth Mother was 29 in 1835, I assume her father was similarly aged. A connection, perhaps?

[avm228]

Possible new lead: 1891 census shows Tom HOLLINGSWORTH, 64, tie maker, b Southampton, living at 4 Hermes St, Clerkenwell (parish of St Silas, Pentonville) with wife Mary (40 b London) and 7 children aged 1-20. Ref is RG12/226/121/46.

The eldest of the children in the 1891 household is Bertha, 20 b Clerkenwell.

Bertha HOLLINGSWORTH aged "22" married later that year - 24 Oct 1891 - to Arthur Horace BOLT, at St Silas Pentonville.  Address for both given as 4 Hermes St.  Bertha's father was described as Thomas Robert HOLLINGSWORTH, a book binder (matching "our" Thomas' occupation in 1851).