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SMITH

in Stanningley

For earlier history of this family see SMITH in Rutland

3.     [SMTH671] Thomas Smith (born 1839), a labourer, married (at Pilton, 23rd July 1868) [STUB672] Eliza Stubbs (born 1838, see STUBBS), witnessed by John Harris (Eliza's half-brother) and Mary Jane Harris (John's wife).

Eliza was the illegitimate daughter of Mary, born in 1838 at (is believed) Oakham. Her mother married George Harris in 1839 but then died in 1841. George almost immediately married again, so that from the age of 2, Eliza was reared by her step-father and his 2nd wife. At the 1841 Census she was shown as “not born in Northants”, implying she was born in Rutland. At the 1851 census George showed his step-daughter Eliza as born at Oakham, Rutland. This information is presumed to have been correct, though it is likely that Eliza herself was never told this. At the 1861 census she was a servant with a family at Seaton, and she said she was born at Harringworth (which would have been the only place she knew from her childhood). In all the later 1871 to 1901 Censuses, she stated she was born at Harringworth. However in the 1911 Census, she stated she was born at Barrowden.

Eliza in her turn had an illegitimate child before she married, the father of whom was George Goodman, an agricultural labourer of Rockingham who never subsequently married. The child, whilst registered as George Goodman Stubbs, was always referred to as George Smith.

At the 1911 Census it was recorded that Thomas & Eliza had had eight children, of whom 2 had died. The six who had survived, plus Eliza's earlier child were as follows:

• George Goodman Stubbs (born at Uppingham, 9th April 1864), married (as "George Smith", at Leeds, St. Peter, 24th May 1890) Clara Duxbury, witnessed by Joseph Webster and Annie Webster;

• 2. [SMTH682] Mary Ann (born at Caldecott, 13th January 1869, baptised there 3rd October 1869), married James Shepherd, see later;

• John Thomas (born at Caldecott, baptised there 2nd June 1872), married (at Stanningley, St. Thomas, 16th June 1894) Isabella Adams, witnessed by Philip Adams (Isabella's brother) and Louisa Smith (John Thomas' sister);

• Louisa (born at Farnley, 4th February 1874), married (at Stanningley, St. Thomas, 25th April 1903) David Boothroyd, witnessed by Mary Boothroyd (David's sister) and James Smith;

• Frederick (born at Farnley, 31st May 1878, baptised at Eleven Lane Ends Chapel, 17th September 1896), married (at Stanningley, St. Thomas, 5th August 1911) Ann Raistrick, witnessed by George Raistrick (Ann's brother) and Martha Raistrick (Ann's sister);

• Sarah Elizabeth (born at Farnley, 21st November 1880, baptised at St. Thomas, 18th June 1893), married (at Stanningley, St. Thomas, 30th August 1902) Samuel Dockray, witnessed by Louisa Smith (Sarah Elizabeth's sister) and David Boothroyd (afterwards married Louisa Smith);

• James (born at New Farnley, 6th September 1882, baptised at St. Thomas, 18th June 1893), married (at Hull, Sculcoates, Register Office, 23rd August 1919) Harriet Gibson nee Hall, witnessed by Annie Haire and W J Parkinson.

There is no way of knowing who the two children were who died young, but possibly twins in 1876.

The family moved from Caldecott to Farnley (c.1872-73), then on to Stanningley in Bramley (1891). Thomas was variously farm labourer and iron foundry labourer.

Thomas died (age 76, of bronchitis and heart disease) at Armley Workhouse (5th April 1915, buried at St. Thomas, 7th April 1915).

• 2. [SMTH682] Mary Ann Smith (born 1869, daughter of Thomas) married (at Calverley, 4th February 1888) [SHEP681] James Shepherd (born 1868, see SHEPHERD).