Thomas Hope (1826 - 1913)

Born 4 May 1826 in Sledmere, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Jane (King) Hope — married 8 May 1848 in All Saints, Thwing, Yorkshire (East Riding), England

Husband of Jane (Wells) Hope — married 5 Jul 1905 in Port Perry, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 13 Jan 1913 at age 86 in Port Perry, Ontario, Canada

Research

There is a Thomas Hope, 15, that appears on the 1841 England Census in Driffield, Nafferton, Yorkshire, England as a male labourer living in the Jefferson house (Alice JEFFERSON, 50; William, 30; Eliza, 15; John, 8) in Howdale (Houndale). Also in residence is Charles Bott, 25, male labourer; Henry Potter, 20, male labourer; Allinson Harrington, 13, male labourer, and Susannah Donkin, 25, female labourer. By following census records I have determined that William Jefferson of Nafferton is not Thomas's uncle, however, there may be a different relative connection.

At the same time, a Jane King, 15, appears as a female labourer in Driffield on Middle street, which according to Google Maps is 3.7 miles apart.

Interestingly, in the civil parish of Hutton Cranswick on Corps Landing there is a Thos Houp living in the area in 1841, age 16, male labourer. Also in residence are: John Dolby, 36; William Ranson, 23; John Slater, 25; Robt Hothan, 15; John Peck, 15; Clark Taylor, 27; Michel Fletcher, 12; William Fletcher, 11; Frances Sawdon, 24; Ann England, 18.

It was always rumoured that Thomas Hope had a criminal past. The only record that I have been able to locate as a possible match was on 23 Mar 1847. There was a Thomas Hope charged for vagrancy and begging at Scorborough House of Correction. His sentence was 14 days hard labour.

In the DRIFFIELD POOR LAW UNION RECORDS: Register of deaths (PUD/3/1/3/1 page 6) there is an inmate, William Hope, who is reported to have died 20 Sep 1873, age 52, buried in Great Driffield, Driffield Cemetery. This would place his birth some time around 1821.

Is it possible that Thomas and William are brothers?

Canadian Records

In 1875, before Mr. Justice Wilson, an appeal was brought to court, William McCaskill v. Thomas Paxton, in which Paxton was accused of nine different charges related to his election for the seat for North Ontario in the Ontario Assemby. These charges included corrupt practices such as: promoting an election at a meeting of electors causing a disorderly crowd, intimidation by volunteer agents, as well as, undue influence and bribery. The courts found that Paxton, while he did not repute the actions of those working for him, was not responsible for his volunteers actions. Of the nine charges, two were personal. One being that Paxton promised land to Nichol Leppard in order for his support, which, while deemed suspicious, was not proved. The second personal charge involved Thomas Hope. Thomas provided the following evidence in the case:

I live on Scugog Island. I was a tenant of Paxton`s for twelve or fourteen years; live on the same lot yet. Paxton is not now my landlord. I had an unsettled account with Paxton before the last election. It was for wheat I had sold to March and Trounce while they ran Paxton`s mill. They are bringing up a claim for rent since the election. I tried lots of times before the election to get settlement for the wheat. I claim there was money due to me. I applied to Paxton and to March and Trounce. Paxton always said he would settle. Trounce said they had paid it to Paxton. Marsh said he would see and get it settled.

I told Marsh I would not vote for Paxton unless that account was settled, and he said he would get it settled. I never talked to Paxton of it about the time of the election. Marsh said he would go down and see Paxton, and if he did, and he brought me a note signed by Paxton for $110. I gave the note to Mr. Billings of Port Perry to collect, for it was not paid when it was due. Marsh, on the Saturday before the polling day, showed me the note he had got for me, and I told him to give it Mr Billings at Port Perry. Then he said Tom (Paxton) had been a good friend to me, and it was too bad he and I should quarrel. I told Marsh we would do the best we could for Paxton at the election. It as about five years ago I sold the wheat to Marsh and Trounce, and I had been trying ever since then to get a settlement. I had two sons who had votes, and the is what I meant by "we" would do all we could for him. I had not the team out. We all voted. It is not said the are $200 arrears of rent against me, but there are not such arrears against me. The note is not paid. I should not have voted for Paxton if I had not got the note, nor would have I voted for McRae either.

On cross-examination Thomas Hope also stated:

I did not tell Marsh that if I did not get the thing settled by the Monday morning, I would sue him on the Monday morning. I said if I did not get it settled I would not vote for Paxton. I spoke to Marsh about not voting for Paxton about a week before polling day. That conversation was in Tom Walker's tavern in Port Perry. I don't know that I ever said I would sue Marsh for the claim. I did not know where to collect my claim. I threatened of course to sue the calim at different times. I threatened Trounce to sue it. To the best of my knowledge I never threatened to sue Marsh. I did not threaten Marsh at Walker's hotel to sue him on Monday after the if I did not get it settled, or a note for it by Monday. There was quite a few in the tavern at the time Marsh and I were conversing. Mr. Shaw was there, so was Reuben King (his brother-in-law), I think also James Grove. Marsh did not say, that I recollect, when I said I would not vote for Paxton, that I must not speak of the election in connection with that matter, nor did he say, that I recollection, that the elections would have nothing to do with that claim. Marsh said that I need not be afraid but I would get my pay... On Mr. Shaw's cross examination, he states that it was "King [who] said it was the time to have it settled, before the election" and that King "mentioned more strongly than Hope that he should get his pay before the election."

The case progresses and there is testimony given that there is an disagreement between Thomas and Mr. Bigelow, his current landlord. It is suggested that Bigelow stated that "if he, Hope, came down to the trail that it would be worse for him." However, in relation to the case, it was decided that, while gravely suspicious, that there was not sufficient evidence to prove that Paxton participated in any wrong doings.

Obituary-- Northern Ontario Observer. February 6, 1913.

Hope--In Port Perry, on Friday, Jan. 31st, 1918, Thomas Hope, age 86 years and 9 months.

Deceased for very many years resided in the Township of Scugog. This is another pillar broken, a landmark removed, another of our worthy pioneers taking a position in the army of the noble dead.

Deceased has enjoyed a long and useful life and has had the satisfaction of seeing the promise of his younger days more than fulfilled, it was then predicted that great and good things were in store for Canada, and he has lived to see the prediction more than fulfilled, and, better still, he has had the satisfaction by his strong arm, willing mind and persevering industry, of largely contributing in securing this pleasant state of things. His was a post of honor being in the ranks of noble industry. As a husband, father, friend and neighbor, he was true to his trust and had the respects and good will of all. He now rests from his labors and his works will follow him. He was twice married and is survived by his widow; and three sons and three daughters, issue of his first marriage; Messrs. William, Charles, and John Hope of Scugog, Mrs. John Raymes of Port Perry; Mrs. John Wanamaker, Seagrave, and Mrs. Henry Demera of Scugog.

The funeral took place on Sunday; services were held in the Methodist Church, the worthy pastor, Rev. J. W. Totten, officiating. Interment in the family plot in the Pine Grove Cemetery.

Land Records

Scugog Township - Con. IX, Lot 8.

Sources

• England & Wales, FreeBMD Marriage Index, 1837-1915. Registration Year: 1848. Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun. Registration district: Bridlington. Inferred County: Yorkshire East Riding. Volume: 23; Page: 43.
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council archives. QSF/555/F/42. Quarter Sessions files for Easter 1847; PUD/3/1/3/1 page 6
• 1861 Census of Canada. Scugog, Ontario North, Ontario, Canada. Thos., 37, farmer. J(ane), 37. Children: M(artha), 16; W(illiam), 13; C(harles), 11; M(ary), 8; P(hebe), 7; L(ettie), 3.
• 1871 Census of Canada. Scugog, Ontario North, Ontario, Canada. Thomas, 46, farmer, unable to write. Jane, 46, unable to read/write. Children: Charles, 20, farmer; Phebe, 15, going to school; Lettie, 13, going to school, David Wakefield, 10. going to school; John A., 7, going to school.
• 1881 Census of Canada. Scugog, Ontario North, Ontario, Canada. Thomas, 56, farmer. Jane, 55. Children: Charles, 27, farmer; Lettie, 22; Wakefield, 20, farmer; John, 17, farmer. Also in residence: Eliza Sweetman,11.
• Hodgins, Tom. Reports of the Decisions of the Judges for the Trial of Election Petitions in Ontario, Relating to Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 1871-5-9: And to the House of Commons of Canada,1874-8 " Toronto: Carswell & Company, Law Publishers, 1883. pp. 304-343.
• 1891 Census of Canada. Scugog, Ontario North, Ontario, Canada. Thomas, 64, farmer, cannot read/write. Jane, 65, cannot read/write. Children: Charles, 40, farmer, married; Wakefield, 30, farmer; John, 27, farmer; Lettie Demara, 33, married, daughter-in-law. Children: Jessie Demara, 9, grand-son.
• 1901 Census of Canada. Scugog, Ontario North, Ontario, Canada. Thomas, 75, farmer, cannot read/write. Jane, 76, cannot read/write. Children: Charles, 48, can read; John, 37, can read and write
• 1911 Census of Canada. Scugog, Ontario North, Ontario, Canada. Thomas, 85, cannot read/write. Jane, 70, can read/write. Year immigrated: 1849.
• Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1801-1928, 1933-1934. Thomas Hope, 79. Place of Birth: Yorkshire, England. Occupation: Farmer. Names of Parents: William Hope & Jane Javeson. sp: Jane Wildman, 64. Place of Birth: Reach Township, Ontario. Parents: James Wells & Margaret Cragg.