1851 census Thomas Alcock b1805 occupation

[pergamond]

The 1851 census for Thomas Alcock born about 1805 in Manchester, with his wife Sarah born about 1809 in Yorkshire, along with Thomas's son Thomas  and wife Maria and other family members - I am having difficulty in reading the occupation for Thomas senior. His son was a gilder, and daughter-in-law Maria was a painter. Is it potter? But then I can see a word that looks like farmer.

[Pennines]

I think it might be 'Turner' rather than Farmer.

The word Potter is dittoed == so Potter Turner.

[pergamond]

Thank you Pennines! That definitely makes sense.

[andrewalston]

I had just come to the conclusion that this was the best fit to your tailor in Preston.
Thomas and Maria Swetnam/Swettenham married in Q3 of 1849 in Stoke district. They are not listed in FindMyPast Staffordshire CofE marriages, so likely to be Catholics, matching the 1874 marriage.

[andrewalston]

The father of the Thomas born 1850 is at Newcastle under Lyme in 1861 (RG9/1917 fol 74 pg 44) and at Shelton in 1871 (RG10/2862 fol 7 pg 7), by which time he is widowed.

No convincing sign of Thomas junior in 1871 yet.

[heywood]

The father of the Thomas born 1850 is at Newcastle under Lyme in 1861 (RG9/1917 fol 74 pg 44) and at Shelton in 1871 (RG10/2862 fol 7 pg 7), by which time he is widowed.

No convincing sign of Thomas junior in 1871 yet.

I was puzzled previously trying to find the right Thomas and am still bothered  Did Thomas snr marry again?
Several of the names of the children seem to fit with a mmn Martin as does Maria aged 9 yrs in the above census. Perhaps she is not Thomas’ daughter?

[heywood]

Staffordshire BMD show these births for Alcock with mmn Martin

Thomas 1850 sub-district Shelton

Sarah 1853 Stoke

Eliza 1858 Shelton

Emma 1860 Hanley

Maria 1862 Hanley

Elizabeth 1865 Fenton

I am not sure if they are all the same family but certainly Eliza, Emma and Maria fit - as does Thomas.

I can’t find a marriage though for Alcock/Martin

[andrewalston]

It looks like Thomas senior did remarry.
In 1881 he's at 19 Mayo St Shelton, described as stepfather of Richard Lilley.

There's a marriage in Q2 of 1872 mentioning Thomas Allcock and Mary Lilley.

The image is on FindMyPast - St. Peter ad Vincula, Stoke-on-Trent:
May 13 1872
Thomas Allcock, 45, Widower, Gilder, Peel Street, Thomas Allcock, Turner
Mary Lilley, 45, Widow, , Charles St Hanley, John Phillips, Fitter
(both signed)
Witness: George Sims, Mary Ann Simms


Of course all this hinges on whether the Preston marriage gives a matching father!

[Marj]

There is this marriage on Staffordshire bmd

1841 St Mary s Bucknall Staffordshire.

Maria Martin & Thomas Swettenham.

Marj