Thomas seems to have done very well for himself. Hengate looks like the posh end of town being peopled by several ‘proprietors of houses’ a justice of the peace, bankers, article clerks and tradesmen such as jewellers and butlers. Several households have domestic servants. I wonder how Thomas felt about his daughter marrying an Irish immigrant who worked as a labourer! After Thomas died his wife, Ann, moved to Providence Cottage in Norwood across the junction from Hengate where she lived with one of her grandsons, Walter, a general labourer.
The 1857 Post Office Directory of
North and East Riding Yorkshire lists “Thomas Watson, furniture dealer,
Hengate” on page 1184. The Pigot’s 1822
directory lists John Watson, Fleming-gate” under Joiners on page 593, I wonder
if this is Thomas’ dad.
The White Horse pub was there during
the 1861 census run by Francis Burwell who was also a saddler. But it is several listings away from the
Watson household, which itself is the last household in Hengate before the
census moves on to Norwood. Today the
White Horse is at the end of Hengate at the rather large junction with Manor
Road, New Walkergate and Norwood, so perhaps some houses, including the
Watsons, have been knocked down to enlarge the junction.
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South Side of Hengate with White
Horse pub, December 2007 |
Coach house, north side of Hengate December 2007 |
Thomas died 20th November
1876 and was buried in Coronation Gardens Cemetery on North Bar Within in
Beverley on 23 November. Ann died on 27th
February 1898 and was buried in her husbands grave. The
rather grand grave is undisturbed at the back of the gardens.
This one |
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The inscription on the headstone
reads:
“In affectionate remembrance of Thomas
Watson who died November 20th 1876 aged 72 years
also Ann wife of the above who died
Feb 27th 1898 aged 92 years.
Her end was peace.”
Back to Sarah Jane’s family tree