Thomas Farmer (buried 1896)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Farmer
First name: 
Thomas
Other Christian names: 
McClean
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Unknown
Burial number: 
260
Born: 
15/6/1821
Died: 
15/02/1896
Buried: 
19/02/1896
Occupation: 
Army Captain;
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NB
Cemetery row: 
16
Cemetery plot: 
2
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Thomas McLean Farmer died February 15th 1896 aged 74 years Also of Ellen his wife died May 9th 1905 aged 76 years "The master is come and calleth for thee" "Death is swallowed up in Victory"

Life story

Life story

Thomas Mclean Farmer was born on 15th June 1821 in France. He married Ellen Cherry in 1853 in Bradfield, Berkshire. Thomas was a captain with the 41st regiment of foot, he obtained the role of Lieutenant then Captain by purchase. (The purchase system was the most common means of promotion within the army in the 19th century but was stopped in 1871).  He served in the East Indies between 1839 and 1843 during the first Afghan war of 1839.  Britain sought to secure the north western borders of British India by establishing Afghanistan as an ally and buffer from Russia.

From the 41st regiment of foot Thomas transferred to the 51st regiment of foot, and from there transferred again in 1850 to the 14th regiment of foot as Captain, and was posted in Canada.

Thomas and Ellen had 2 children-

Ella born 1855 in Canada

Annie born 1858 Hitchen Herts

In 1861 the family are living with Ellen's Father at the Rectory Burghfield. They then moved to Sussex and by 1871 they have moved to Findon Street, Findon Sussex, Thomas had retired from the army, and their 2 children Ella and Annie are attending school.   They moved to Church House, Washington, Sussex by 1881, their children are still living at home. Thomas is not earning an income and is probably living on private means and an army pension. In 1891 they are living at London Road Cuckfield.   They have one daughter, Annie, still living at home. They also still have 2 servants.

Thomas died on 15th February 1896 at Homesdale, Gratwicke Road Worthing Sussex.

He left £18134 8s 9d, probate to rev. Charles Henry Conybeare

Ellen died on 9th May 1905 whilst living at Haddon House, Shelley Road Worthing Sussex

Burial researcher: 
Jackie Rooney

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
15/06/1821
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Ellen
Spouse one last name: 
Cherry
Marriage one date: 
00/00/1853
Marriage one address: 
Bradfield, Berkshire, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
15/02/1896
Age (at time of death): 
73
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Homesdale, Gratwicke Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Charles Conybeare status: reverend
Probate pounds: 
£18,134

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1861 census: 

Burghfield Rectory, Burghfield, Berkshire

Thomas, Ellen and Daughter Ella living with Ellens Father

1871 census: 

Findon Street, Findon, Sussex

Thomas Farmer (Head) age 49, Ellen (Wife) age 42, Ella F (Daughter) age 16, Annie A (Daughter) age 13, Alicia Cherry (Sister in law) age 19, plus 3 servants

1881 census: 

Church House, Washington, Sussex Thomas Mclean Farmer (Head) age 59. Ellen (Wife) age 52, Ella Frances (Daughter) age 26, Annie Alicia (Daughter) age 23, Alicia Cherry (Sister in Law) age 29, plus 2 servants

1891 census: 

London Road, Cuckfield, Sussex Thomas Farmer (Head) age 69, Ellen (Wife) age 67, Annie (Daughter) age 22, Alicia cherry (Sister in Law) age 39, plus 2 servants

 

Miscellaneous information

The Farmers of Shoreditch

The Farmers of Shoreditch founded their fortunes in India with the East India Company and in Scarlet Dyeing, which they ran from their premises in Hogg Lane (now Worship Street) Shoreditch. Thomas’ Grandfather Samuel Farmer, served his apprentiship and took over the Dye works with his Father’s partner, Chamberlin Goodwin.

Nonsuch Park, Cheam
Nonsuch Park, Cheam

Samuel a Gentleman of great wealth bought Nonsuch Park Cheam Surrey in 1799. He then employed Jeffry Wyatt to rebuild it in a Tudor style in 1802.

William Meeke - Father of Thomas Farmer

William Meeke Farmer
William Meeke Farmer

William Meeke Farmer (Thomas’ Father) was born in 1778 Cheam Surrey lived at Nonsuch Park for many years. He was the MP for the borough of Huntingdon; he then received the stewardship of the Chilterns Hundreds. He died after many years of painful illness.