Researching Thomas Lane Burrows

[PeterTomlinson]

I have an extract from a handwritten family tree for "Thomas Burrows, eldest son of Wm Burrows baptized at Plymouth in 1803 married Miss Coombe in 1824, has a family one son and two daughters"
I know his father was baptized at Milton Abbott in 1782, and his mother was Elizabeth Lane, and they were married in "White Church" (Whitchurch?) "in 1802, having 3 sons & 3 daughters".
I have found Thomas Burrows' death record and received a copy of it, which contains the following information: Died: Tenth December 1886 Workhouse
Name: Thomas Lane Burrows
Sex: Male
Age: 83 Years
Occupation: A gardener of Looe Street
Cause of death: Paralysis certified by FA Thomas LRCP
Informant: E G Dyke, Master Workhouse, Plymouth
Death Registered: 25th December 1886
Registrar: RG Bird

But beyond this, I cannot find any real trace of him. There is an entry in the 1881 census that might be him, at 13 Granby St, Plymouth, (and it says he is a gardener, as on death cert) but his wife Emily is too young to be the "Miss Coombe" he married in 1824, as she was not born until 6 years after that wedding date!

Can anyone help shed any light on his life, his wife (or wives) and most importantly, details of his children?
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Pete

[pennydog]

Could this be a second marriage? I have traced this Thomas back through the censuses, with Emily in 1871 but in 1861 he appears with his daughter Ruth and is a widower. In 1851 he is with wife Ann R born Horrabridge Devon 1801, with daughters Ruth and Emma.

Would you like me to post the other censuses or are you able to check them youself?

[pennydog]

There is a marriage of in Newton Abbot of a Thomas Burrows and on the same page is Emily Line Striplin. Sept qtr 1868 5b267

On the 1871 census RG10/2086/73/41 (crown copyright/care of TNA) Thomas Burrows and Emily L Burrows are living in Union Lane Lower Tormoham Torquay, his occupation is gardener.

[PeterTomlinson]

Thanks for this. I had not followed up on the 1861 census, as the implied date of birth (1801) seemed too far away from the actual (1803). But revisiting it, I see the address is Looe St, which tallies with the info on the Death Cert I have just received, so that does indeed look like him. That in turn supports the 1851 census, which I had similarly rejected for a similarly inaccurate dob.
For some reason I am not finding him in the 1871 census - not sure what I am doing wrong! I will try a few variations, or maybe enter her and start from there!
Thanks so much for the assistance. A simple nudge like that has cleared a log jam!

Now if I can just find the son, who is the missing link.............

[Lizzy9]

Hi,

Here's the census ref for 1871, RG10 Piece 2086 Folio 73 Page 41 (Crown copyright, in care of TNA)

What is his son's name and approx year of birth?

[olliecat]

Hmm, where are they in 1841? Can eliminate the Thomas and Ann Burrows with child Emma and other children in Axminster, since they are also in the 1851 census in Axminster. Will keep looking.

[PeterTomlinson]

Thanks for the census reference - still hadn't managed to find it, will try again with that data.
As for the son's name and year of birth..... that's the bit I really don't know. My record says there was a son, and no more. I also know there must have been a son, because HIS son was my great grandfather (Frederick Seaton Burrowes - by now the surname has acquired the 'e'), but he turns up in Brazil, and I have no clue how he got there!!!! And I can't find any birth records for him to get parent's details, and I don't have an accurate estimate of his dob either, but probably somwhere 1850-1860. He may even have been born in Brazil. Oh the joys........!
Thanks for the help

[olliecat]

Perhaps this is his second marriage ...

Marriages Sep 1868 Newton A 5b 267
Burrows Thomas
Fairchild Margaret Sanders
Striplin Emily Line
Westaway William Lacey

If it's the same Thomas in the 1851 census with wife Ann then she has a middle initial R and he is a widower in 1861.

Perhaps this is her death ...

Deaths Dec 1857 Plymouth 5b 164
Burrows Ann Reeve

[olliecat]

I have an extract from a handwritten family tree for "Thomas Burrows, eldest son of Wm Burrows baptized at Plymouth in 1803 married Miss Coombe in 1824, has a family one son and two daughters"

Well I can't quite match the date, but there is this ..

• Marriage of Thomas Burrow and Martha Coombe on 03 Dec 1825 at Milton Abbot, Devon

(from the Devon FHS)

[Lizzy9]

Well I can't quite match the date, but there is this ..

• Marriage of Thomas Burrow and Martha Coombe on 03 Dec 1825 at Milton Abbot, Devon

(from the Devon FHS)

Well done, Olliecat. Surely that must be him even though it's a year out!