Thomas Buckton was born in 1833, son of James Buckton and Elizabeth. He was baptised at St Matthew’s Church on 15 Jun 1833 which also records his birth as the same day. His father is recorded as working as a “Quarry-man”.
The 1841 Census shows that family living in “Chapeltown” with Thomas aged 7 years old and his father working as a labourer.
By the time of the 1851 Census Thomas was 17 years old and working as a Quarryman with his father and elder brother Henry. I’m not sure where they were living but it may have been somewhere along Stainbeck Lane in Chapel Allerton. Thomas’ father, James, was a widower at this stage and had five children living at home – Henry (22), Thomas (17), Louisa (14), Ann (8) and Mary (5) – the three girls all scholars. They also had a housekeeper, Susan Chadwick.
I’ve not found the 1861 Census record of Thomas yet but I believe both his parents died before then. The 1871 Census shows Thomas, aged 37, living as a boarder at 6 Regent Terrace, the home of his sister in law, Jane Buckton along with her two sons. He was working as a stone quarryman.
The 1881 Census shows Thomas as the head of the house at 33 Victoria Street, 47 years old, unmarried and a stone mason. He had his widowed sister-in-law, Jane, and widowed sister, Mary Watson living with him along with her two daughters.
Thomas was living at 41 Victoria Street by the time of the 1891 Census with his widowed sister Mary and her daughters plus Ann Peel, another widowed sister. He is recorded as a “Quarryman (stone)”.
Thomas died on 9 August 1896 and was buried in the churchyard of St Matthew’s Church on 12 August. Probate reads:
BUCKTON Thomas of 41 Victoria-street Chapel Allerton Yorkshire quarryman died 9 August 1896 Probate Wakefield 25 August to Mary Watson widow Effects £166 19s. 5d.
In
Loving Memory
of
THOMAS BUCKTON
WHO DIED AUGUST 9TH 1896
AGED 83 YEARS
UNTIL THE DAY BREAK
ALSO FANNY ELIZABETH BUCKTON
WHO DIED FEBRUARY 3RD 1915
IN HER 55TH YEAR
ALSO IN LOVING MEMORY OF
MARY WATSON SISTER OF
THE ABOVE NAMED THOMAS BUCKTON
WHO DIED APRIL 17TH 1922
IN HER 77TH YEAR