George Thomas Smith (1836 - aft. 1901)

Born 2 Jul 1836 in Wadhurst, Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

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Biography

George Thomas (Thomas George) Smith was born on 2 July 1836 at Wadhurst, Sussex, England. He was the son of George Smith and Philadelphia Roberts. He was baptised as George Thomas Smith in the Wesleyan faith at Sandhurst, Kent on 18 September 1836^[1].^[2]

A transcript of the register reads

"No. 259 George Thomas the son of George Smith of Wadhurst in the Parish of Wadhurst in the County of Sussex and of Philadelphia his wife, who was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Roberts was born on the second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundread and thirty-six. And was solemnly baptised with water, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, on the eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six by me, Isaac Phinix Minister."

Ancestry Free Image - Wesleyan Register of Birth, Sandhurst Kent

George Thomas appears to have always gone by the name Thomas and used George as a middle name.

In the 1841 English Census, Thomas aged 4, is living with his parents George and Philadelphia Smith and siblings at Newhouse Farm, Wadhurst^[3].

Ancestry Free Image 1841 English Census

In the 1851 English Census, Thomas Smith is the 14 year old unmarried farmers son of George and Philadelphia Smith living at Newhouse Farm, a farm of 160 acres, with his parents and siblings^[4].

Ancestry Free Image 1851 English Census

Thomas is still living at New House Farm, a 22 year old unmarried farmers son, with his parents George and Philadelphia Smith. The farm has expanded to 200 acres. Siblings Samuel, George and Robert, all also unmarried, live on the farm also^[5].

Ancestry Free Image 1861 English Census

Thomas' father, George Smith died on 2 November 1862, and his will stipulated that his farming business be finished within two years of his death.

Thomas was married around 1866 to Mary Ann (Unknown). See research notes possible Weakley or Werkley married 3 February 1866.

Surprisingly, the 1871 English Census identifies that Samuel Smith, unmarried 57 year old, is still farming Newhouse Farm, a farm of 156 acres. His unmarried brother George, aged 55, and Thomas aged 32 and his wife Mary Anne aged 36, and their daughter Mercy aged 4 also live on the farm^[6].

The farm is obviously still in the Smith families occupation but later legal issues would suggest the Will of George Smith was not executed correctly and monies from the estate were inappropriately diverted to the businesses and farms of Thomas and his brother Joseph.

Ancestry Free Image - 1871 English Census

In 1879, Thomas Smith of New House Farm was bankrupted and on 31 January 1879 Thomas' bankrupt estate became part of a lawsuit regarding the will of his father, George Smith^[7].

" In the County Court of Kent, holden Tunbridge Wells. IN THE MATTER of Proceedings for Liquidation by Arrangement or Composition with Creditors, by THOMAS SMITH, of New House Farm, in the Parish of Wadhnrst, in the County Sussex, Farmer. James Arthur Francis McLellan, of Tunbridge Wells, in the County of Kent, Accountant, has been appointed Trustee of the property of the Debtor. All persons having in their possession the effects of the Debtor must deliver them to the Trustee, and all Debts due to the Debtor must be paid the Trustee. Creditors who have not yet proved their Debts must forward their proof of Debts to the Trustee. Dated this day of December, 1878. W. C. CRIPPS, Registrar. JOS. ROGERS, Quarry Hill-road, Tonbridge, Solicitor for the Trustee."^[8]

On 14 March 1879, it was reported that Thomas Smith's signature was one of those on a promissary note lodged by his brother, Joseph Smith, that contained forged signatures. Joseph was subsequently imprisioned for 9 months for this offence. It was not stated whether Thomas' signature had been forged^[9].

A further notice was published 21 March 1879^[10] and on 11 April 1879 a general meetings of creditors was arranged for 24 April 1879^[11].

"ln the matter Thomas Smith, of New House Farm, Wadhurst, Mr W. Garham applied on behalf of Walter George Tuppenny, of Clara County, Arkansas. John Fuller and Mercy Naomi Fuller, the wife, for an order directing the payment by the trustee of the debtor's estate, of the sum of £35 6s. 8d and interest thereof, at 5 per cent per annum, for the time of death George Smith, late of New House Farm, deceased, and for the stay of payment of any dividend or dividends until such payment, so ordered, was made, and due provision made for the payment of a preferential claim of any other party interested under the will of Geotge Smith. Mr Rogers appeared on behalf the trustee. Mr Gorham pointed out that the money under the will of the late George Smith was invested in farm. The whole of the persons interested, except his clients, had been paid their shares, and he now submitted that the debtor, having had the benefit of the applicants' share, should called upon to pay it in full out of the estate, with five per cent, added for interest. —Mr Rogers contended that there was no claim against the estate of Thomas Smith, but his Honour, after hearing the arguments and the evidence of the debtor, held that the estate was liable to the extent of £35 6s. 8d, but as there did not seem to be any definite arrangement made with regard to interest, should not allow any."^[12]

On Friday 13 June 1879 the outcome of the bankruptcy was notified.

"THE BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1869. the County Court of Kent, Holden at Tunbridge Wells. FIRST and FINAL DIVIDEND Two Shillings and Twopence in the pound has been declared in the matter of proceedings for liquidation by arrangement or composition with Creditors, instituted by THOMAS SMITH, of New House Farm, in the Parish Wadhurst, in the County of Sussex. Farmer, and will paid by me at the Offices of Messrs. Fenner, Hilton, and Gifford, No. 4, Mount Pleasant, Tunbridge Wells, in the County of Kent, on and after Wednesday, the Eighteenth day of June, 1879, between the hours of Eleven and Three p.m. JAS. A. F. McLELLAN, JOS. ROGERS, Trustee. Quarry Hill-road, Tonbridge, Solicitor to the Trustee."^[13]

In the 1881 English Census, Thomas Smith and his wife Mary A Smith are living at Mill Cottage Residence, Wadhurst^[14]. Their 14 year old daughter Mercy Smith is found further down the same page of the Census, working as a General Servant for the White family, Millers at Riseden Mill.

Ancestry Free Image - 1881 English Census

Widower Thomas Smith is living at Bassets Farm, Wadhurst, with his brother James Smith and his family in the 1891 English Census^[15].

Ancestry Free Image - 1891 English Census

In the 1901 English Census, Thomas Smith widower aged 53, is living with his nephew David Smith and David's wife and family his wife at Bassetts Farm, Wadhurst. Thomas is the Stockman on Farm^[16].

[Ancestry Free Image - 1901 English Census]

Research Notes

The obvious issues stand out relating to George Thomas Smith's birth. His mother Philadelphia would have been aged 51, and the baptism gives her parents as John and Elizabeth Roberts not Samuel and Mary Roberts. Yet...Thomas is listed as the 4 year old son of the 50 year old Philadelphia in the 1841 Census and the 14 year old son of the 61 year old Philadelphia in the 1851 Census?

It is probable the wife of Thomas is Mary Ann Werkley but this has not been able to verified^[17]. Alternate spelling is Weakley^[18]. Scan is available on findmypast.com but I do not have a subcription.

Sources

1. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPZD-MZB : 20 March 2020), George Thomas Smith, 1836.
2. ↑ England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWLK-VJV : 11 December 2014), George Thomas Smith, 18 Sep 1836, Baptism; citing p. 50, Sandhurst, Kent, record group RG4, Public Record Office, London.
3. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7S2-5W1 : 25 May 2019), Thomas Smith in household of George Smith, Wadhurst, Sussex, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
4. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGJK-X7P : 9 November 2019), Thomas Smith in household of George Smith, Wadhurst, Sussex, England; citing Wadhurst, Sussex, England, p. 1, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
5. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7TR-HX9 : 3 March 2021), Thomas Smith in household of George Smith, Wadhurst, Sussex, England, United Kingdom; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
6. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFDS-VXH : 19 February 2021), Thomas Smith in entry for Samuel Smith, 1871.
7. ↑ The British Newspaper Archive, Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 31 January 1879, page 7
8. ↑ The British Newspaper Archive, Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 03 January 1879, page 1
9. ↑ The British Newspaper Archive, Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 14 March 1879, page 7
10. ↑ The British Newspaper Archive, Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 21 March 1879, page 4
11. ↑ The British Newspaper Archive, Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 11 April 1879, page 4
12. ↑ The British Newspaper Archive, Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 25 April 1879, page 8
13. ↑ The British Newspaper Archive, Kent & Sussex Courier - Friday 13 June 1879, page 4
14. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27W-BGTP : 11 December 2017), Thomas Smith, Wadhurst, Sussex, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 1, Piece/Folio 1048/13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,462.
15. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:48W8-6ZM : 22 February 2021), Thomas Smith in household of James Smith, Wadhurst, Sussex, England, United Kingdom; from "1891 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Sussex county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
16. ↑ England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSJD-9WB : 20 May 2019), Thomas Smith in household of David Smith, Wadhurst, Sussex, England, United Kingdom; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Wadhurst subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey
17. ↑ England Marriages, 1538–1973 ", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKL8-8MK : 13 March 2020), Mary Ann Werkley in entry for Thomas Smith, 1866.
18. ↑ England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DCM-KKW : 13 December 2014), Thomas Smith, 1866; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1866, quarter 1, vol. 2A, p. 596, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.