01/12/2023

GGF5 – Thomas Denton (1702-1788)

Forward to GGF4 – Edward Denton (1737- ) – Forward to Nineteenth Century Index
Back to GGF6 – William Denton (1670 – ) – Back to Denton Family Bible

Thomas, born at Burtonwood, married a local, Mary Rawstern or Rosthern (1705-1772).

Thomas and Mary had six sons (John, Edward, William, a second John, Joseph and Peter) and four daughters (Sarah Yoxley, Mary Okell, Ellen and a second Mary). They were all born in Warrington and a number of them were baptised at St Elphin Church. The church has a 281ft spire and parts of it were built in the 1350s although there has been a place of worship there since 650 CE.

St Elphin Church interior © Francis Frith

Fortunately, the baptism records for several of their children indicate Thomas’s occupation was that of a hatter; elsewhere he is described as a ‘feltmaker of Liverpool’. He appeared to have lived a good long life (eighty-six years). The long-term use of mercury in the hat-making business affected those active in it, leading to the term ‘mad as a hatter’. No information on his sanity could be found.

Edward (essentially Thomas’s eldest as the first son John died young) followed his father and also became a hatter. John was a locksmith, Joseph was a ‘sawyer’ and Peter was a currior (presumably a courier?).

Note on shorthand acronyms being used in the DFB:
GGF1 / GGM1 – means first great-grandfather /mother;
GU11 / GA11 – means eleventh great-uncle / great-aunt;
1C3 – means first cousin three times removed

Forward to GGF4 – Edward Denton (1737- ) – Forward to Nineteenth Century Index
Back to GGF6 – William Denton (1670 – ) – Back to Denton Family Bible

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