Thomas ELLIOTT = Martha HARDWICK¹

Married Saturday 18 April 1846, Blackburn Registry Office²

Thomas ELLIOTT:

Born EST 1818, Blackburn³
Died BEF 1881, after1871⁴
Occupation: Iron Moulder (foundry worker), Ironmonger?⁵
Location unknown in 1841. Not found on King Street
Living at King Street, Blackburn April 1846
Living at Barclay Street, Bridgewater, Somerset 1846-1849?
Living at 52 Blakey Moor, Blackburn November 1849
Living at 75 Hacking Court, Blakey Moor 1851
Living at 32 Blakey Moor, Blackburn January 1852
Living at 5 Hacking Court, Blackburn December 1854
Living at 29 Blakey Moor, Blackburn November 1855
Living at James Street, Over Darwen January 1858
Living at 68 Frances Ann Street, Blackburn October 1861
Living at 9 Mary Ann Street, Blackburn 1871

Worked as an iron moulder in various foundries in the Bridgwater and Blackburn/Darwen area.

Before marriage during the 1840's Thomas possibly worked for William Dickinson, Thomas Throp & Co at the Harley Street Foundry next to the Phoenix Mill, King Street. The works made machinery and power looms.

Thomas and Martha lived in Barclay Street, Bridgewater, Somerset after marriage and before November 1949. The Barclay Steet area is in the Eastover area of Bridgwater near to the River Parrett. In recent years, the street has been partially demolished to make way for Broadway (A39 bypass). The far northern and eastern side of the street remains (in 2002) Nearby archaeological excavations related to the Aldi supermarket development found evidence of mediaeval and later iron works and the boundary walls of the former west-side Barclay Street houses.

During the late 1840's and early 1850's Thomas Elliott was probably working at Robert Railton & Sons, St. Paul's Foundry and living nearby on Blakey Moor. The works had about 38 employees producing small steam engines and textile machinery. R & J Railton ceased trading in the early 1870's. The foundry was on the site now occupied by Blackburn Technical College.

During the late 1850's while living on James Street Darwen Thomas probably worked at the nearby Robert Street Foundry. The family moved back to Blackburn before 1861


Martha HARDWICK:

Alias Martha ELLIOT
Alias Martha ELLIOTT
Born 1819, Blackburn⁶
Died Monday 5 March 1888, 54 Montague Street, Blackburn⁷
Buried Thursday 8 March 1888, Blackburn Cemetery CE A 574⁸
daughter of Thomas Hardwick, a publican (marr cert 1846 dau Martha) kept a Public House on King Street, possibly the Falcon Inn at the bottom of Montague Street. Census for 1841 1851 and trade directories need to be checked

died of bronchitis and emphysema. dau Isabella Elliot present at death

Living at King Street, Blackburn April 1846 poss in a public house
Living at Barclay Street, Bridgewater, Somerset 1846-1849?
Living at 52 Blakey Moor, Blackburn November 1849
Living at 75 Hacking Court, Blakey Moor 1851
Living at 32 Blakey Moor, Blackburn January 1852
Living at 5 Hacking Court, Blackburn December 1854
Living at 29 Blakey Moor, Blackburn November 1855
Living at James Street, Over Darwen January 1858
Living at 68 Frances Ann Street, Blackburn October 1861
Living at 9 Mary Ann Street, Blackburn 1871
Living at 54 Montague Street, Blackburn 1881


name on 1875 indenture for son Thomas.

widowed before 1881 Census. living at 54 Montague Street, Blackburn in 1881.

Had a lodger called Eleanor Ann High. Aged 22 in 1881. A dressmaker from Ulverston, Lancs 1881 Census ref 4194 16 25


Martha Elliot nee Hardwick c 1893

Thomas ELLIOTT

Born Thursday 29 April 1847, Barclay Street, Bridgwater, Somerset⁹
Christened ¹⁰
Died Friday 9 November 1855, 29 Blakey Moor, Blackburn¹¹
Buried prob Parish Church, St Peter, Blackburn¹²
Infant death, name also used for sibling Thomas b.1861
Born while parents Thomas and Martha were living in Bridgewater, Somerset (iron foundry connection?). Died of scarlet fever and dropsy in Blackburn

Isabella ELLIOTT = Edwin BETHEL¹³ > Family

Married Sunday 1 January 1893, St Peters, Blackburn¹⁴

Isabella ELLIOTT:

Alias Isabella BETHEL (Thursday 12 January 1893)
Born Monday 5 November 1849, 52 Blakey Moor, Blackburn¹⁵
Died Saturday 11 October 1924¹⁶
Buried Blackburn Cemetry CE A 574¹⁷
Occupation: Cotton Weaver¹⁸
Born at 52 Blakey Moor, near to the foundry where her father worked.

Living at 54 Montague Street (1881 Census) age 30.

Living at 119 King Street (1891 Census). Unmarried in 1891 at age 41.
Living at King Street 1893 at time of marriage
Living at 114 Ingham Street, Blackburn with husband and sister Martha in 1901

Alive in 1914 (letter Reg Elliot)


prob. Isabella Elliot c 1890's


Edwin BETHEL:

Born 1849, Blackburn¹⁹
Occupation: Blacksmith Striker Railway/ Engine Driver²⁰
Edwin or Edward Bethel of Craig Street at time of marr
father is Joseph Bethel a gardener

Jane ELLIOTT

Born Tuesday 13 January 1852, 32 Blakey Moor, Blackburn²¹
Died Thursday 19 December 1907²²
Buried Blackburn Cemetry CE A 574²³
Occupation: Cotton Weaver
Born at 32 Blakey Moor, Blackburn

Living at 54 Montague Street, Blackburn in 1881. Age 28. A Cotton Weaver. location not known in 1891 Census

Jane Elliot* b Blackburn not found in 1901 Census. prob using diff name.


prob. Jane Elliot c 1890's

John ELLIOT(T) = > Family

Married ABT 1872, Blackburn²⁴

John ELLIOT(T):

Born Sunday 17 December 1854, 5 Hacking Court, Blackburn²⁵
Died ²⁶
Occupation: Mechanics Turner²⁷
Born at 5 Hacking Court, Blackburn

Living at 54 Montague Street, Blackburn in 1881. Age 25
not found in 1901 Census
Would have been aged 60 at outbreak WW1

Martha ELLIOTT

Born Thursday 28 January 1858, James Street, Over Darwen²⁸
Died Thursday 3 December 1931²⁹
Buried Blackburn Cemetery CE A 574³⁰
Occupation: Cotton Weaver³¹
Born James Street, Over Darwen. Father was probably working at a local foundry.

Living at 54 Montague Street, Blackburn in 1881 age 22. A Cotton Weaver.

Living with brother Thomas at 119 King Street at time of 1891 Census. Unmarried at age 33 and probably never married

Living with sister Isobel at 114 Ingham Street, Blackburn in 1901 (RG13 3911 170)



prob. Martha Elliot c 1890's

Thomas ELLIOT(T) = Ellen PRESCOTT > Family

Married Tuesday 14 February 1893, Parish Church, St Peter, Blackburn³²

Thomas ELLIOT(T):

Born Tuesday 1 October 1861, 68 Frances Ann Street, Blackburn³³
Died Tuesday 1 May 1917, Auxilliary Military Hospl, Windsor Street, Toxteth, Liverpoo³⁴
Buried Blackburn Cemetery ref E. C.E. 3408
Occupation: Master Saddler³⁵
Born 68 Frances Ann Street, Blackburn. The youngest of five known siblings.

Indentured as a Saddlers apprentice to George Irwin in 1875. Became a Master Saddler.

Not at 54 Montague Street in 1871 (ref RG10/ 4180 30-37)

1881 Census (ref RG11/4194 16) shows him age 19 living with his mother, four sisters, brother and a lodger at 54 Montague Street, Blackburn. His father was by this time dead. Tom had been working as a saddler for six years.

Established a saddlery business and residence at 119 King Street Blackburn. The 1891 Census (ref RG12/3404 80) shows Tom at 119 King Street living with unmarried sisters Isabella and Martha. Mother dead?
Was living at 119 King street at time of marriage to Ellen Prescott in 1893. The saddlerly business is thought to have largely failed before WW1 because of bad debts.

Living at 73 Havelock Street November 1911. Living at 21 Stansfeld Street during WW1.
Became a Private in the Army Service Corps, probably making saddles and probably did not see service overseas because of age. Army Number R4/090006. (not same as Medal Index M/302732)
Died of tuberculosis after an illness of 6 months in the Windsor Street Auxilliary Military Hospital, Toxteth, Liverpool.
His body was transferred to Blackburn for burial. A headstone in Blackburn Cemetery reads "Pte. Thomas Elliot A.S.C. died Military Hospital, Liverpool May 1st 1917 aged 54" (there are other inscriptions).
D Cert age 52 (mistake?); orig marr cert; Indenture for apprenticeship as a saddler.
Victory and British War medals RASC/101/B210 21613, Medal Roll WO329/2033 not seen
This is the text of a contract between Thomas Elliott, his mother Martha and Master Saddler George Irwin for a seven year Apprenticeship (1875 to 1882) for the then fourteen year old Thomas. The original names written into the document, those of James and Benjamin King, have been scored out and replaced by the names of Thomas and Martha Elliott).

Official stamp dated 11th January 1876)

This indenture made the first day of October
one thousand eight hundred and seventy five
Between (James King) Thomas Elliott of Blackburn in the county
of Lancaster an infant aged fourteen on the
above mentioned date son of (Benjamin King) Martha Elliott of the
same place of the first part the said (Benjamin King) Martha Elliott of the second part
and George Irwin of Blackburn saddler of the
third part.

Witneseth that the said (Benjamin King) Martha Elliott doth hereby put
place and bind the said (James King) Thomas Elliott to and with
the said George Irwin to serve him as an apprentice for
and during the term of seven years to be computed from
the first day of October last to be instructed and employed in
the trade or business of a Saddler And the said Martha
Elliott for herself her heirs executors and administrators
hereby covenants with the said George Irwin his
executors administrators that the said apprentice shall
and will at all times during the said term faithfully
serve the said George Irwin as such apprentice and
diligently execute all his lawfull commands and shall
not at anytime during the said term absent himself
from the service of the said master without his consent
nor wilfully waste detain embezzle spoil or
lend any of the money goods implements
books papers or effects of the said master his executor
or administrators nor knowing permit any act, deed,
or thing prejudicial to his said Master his
executor and administrators but shall and will
behave himself in every respect as a faithful
apprentice ought to do

And also that the said Martha Elliott her executors or
administrators will during the said term provide
the said apprentice with Board and Lodging and all
manner of neccessary and becoming apparell
and with medicine and surgery in case of sickness

In consideration whereof the said George Irwin hereby
accepts the said (James King) Thomas Elliott as an apprentice for the
said term and for himself heirs executors and
administrators purely covenants with the said
(James King) Thomas Elliott son of (Benjamin King) Martha Elliott
and each of their heir and each of their executors and administrators
that the said George Irwin will during the said term
by the best methods he can instruct the said Apprentice
or cause him to be instructed in the trade or business
of a Saddler as now aforesaid by the said George Irwin
and also will also pay unto the said apprentice the wages
following namely three shillings weekly during the
residue of the first year, four shillings weekly during
the second five shillings weekly during the third six
shillings weekly during the fourth. Seven shillings weekly
during the fifth, eight shillings weekly during the
sixth and ten shillings weekly during the seventh and
last year of the said term

Provided always that in case the said apprentice
shall at any time during the said term be rendered
incapable of performing his duty in the said service
it shall be lawful for the said George Irwin to retain
all wages of the said apprentice during the time he
may be so incapacitated

Witness whereof the said parties hereto have
hereunder set their hands and seals this day and year above
written

Signed sealed and delivered by the within
named (James King) Martha Elliott, (Benjamin King) Thomas Elliott and George Irwin in the presence of

(signed) James Duckworth

(signed) Martha Elliott
(signed) Thomas Elliott
(signed) George Irwin


Thomas Elliot c 1883


Thomas Elliot c 1893


Thomas Elliot c 1917


Ellen PRESCOTT:

Alias Ellen (or Helen) ELLIOT
Alias Ellen ELLIOT(T) (Tuesday 14 February 1893)
Born Friday 12 August 1859, Peckers Hill, Sutton nr St Helens, Lancashire³⁶
Died Saturday 13 March 1937, 129 Haslingden Road, Blackburn³⁷
Buried Wednesday 17 March 1937, Blackburn Cemetery (Thomas Elliot plot)³⁸
Occupation: Tailoress³⁹
Details of Ellen Prescott are in Prescott database


Ellen Elliot nee Prescott 1928


Ellen Elliot nee Prescott 1935

married Registery office , Blackburn. David Brindley and Ebenezer Logan were witnesses

travelled to Bridgwater, Somerset soon after marriage where they lived for 2-3 years possibly foundry work for a new railway in the area

1 :
Martha Hardwick known to be mother of Thomas primarily from middle name of Thomas's children John and Constance. Martha is shown as mother to Thomas in indenture papers, 1881 Census RG11/4194 16
2 : ; Primary evidence
marr cert
father of Thomas is John Elliott occ tailor
3 : ; Questionable
"full age" at marriage in 1846
age 33 at 1851 Census HO107/2258 345
4 : ; Questionable
not shown at 54 Montague Street, Blackburn in 1881 Census and Martha Elliot is a widow?

not described as deceased on 14 Feb 1893 Marriage cert for son Thomas

poss Burial record Bburn Cem year 1878 845 6 6930 5
5 : ; Primary evidence
Marr Cert describes 'moulder'. Birth certificates for children between 1862 and 1849 describe fathers occupation to be "Iron Moulder"

Profession of father described on 14 Feb 1893 marriage cert for Thomas Elliot and Ellen Prescott as "Ironmonger" This description is after death and may not be reliable
6 :
32 at 1851 Census
7 :
after 1881 Census RG11/ 4194 16 25 and before 1901 Census

d cert Mar 1888 age 69 Balckburn 8e 277
8 :
email Maureen Moorcroft 9 Apr 2003

no headstone found Sept 2004. Might be under other stones
9 :
known from 1851 Census
birth cert
10 :
11 :
death cert ref Blackburn 8e 164 Dec 1865 D-G
12 :
email Maureen Moorcroft 8 Apr 2003 needs confirmation
13 :
1901 Census RG13 3911 170 18
14 :
FreeBMD ref Mar 1893 Elliot Isabella, Bethel Edwin Blackburn 8e 449
marr cert
15 : ; Primary evidence
Birth Cert. 1849 Dec Blackburn vol21 p34
Marr Cert 1893 age 43
16 :
mentioned in 1914 letter from nephew Reg before leaving for Egypt
email from Maureen Moorcroft 9 Apr 03
17 :
email from Maureen Moorcroft 9 Apr 03

no gravestone found Sept 2004 but could be under nearby collapsed grave
18 : ; Primary evidence
1881 and 1891 Census
19 :
1901 Census RG13 3911 170 18
marr cert 1893 age 44
20 :
1901 Census RG13 3911 170 18
marr cert Engine Driver
21 : ; Primary evidence
Birth Cert 18552 March Blackburn 8e 263
22 :
email from Maureen Moorcroft 9 Apr 03
23 :
email from Maureen Moorcroft 9 Apr 03

no gravestone found Sept 2004 but could be under nearby collapsed grave
24 :
needs confirmation
poss is Sept 1872 Elliott John, Sarah Pearson (not married to Emmington Elizabeth) Blackburn 8e 604
although apparently not married 1881 Montague Street

check Elizabeth Ann Elliott death Dec 1895 age 42 Blackburn 8e 342
25 : ; Primary evidence
Birth Cert 1855 March Blackburn 8e 251
26 :
possible death June 1903 Fylde 8e 446 age 49 (age OK)
not found in 1901 Census
27 :
1881 Census RG11/4194 16 p25
28 : ; Primary evidence
Birth Cert 1858 March Blackburn 8e 334
29 :
1914 letter Reg Elliot to his mother mentions Aunt Martha
email from Maureen Moorcroft 9 Apr 03
30 :
email from Maureen Moorcroft 9 Apr 03

no gravestone found Sept 2004 but could be under nearby collapsed grave
31 : ; Primary evidence
1881 Census RG11/4194 16
1891 Census RG12 3404 80
32 : ; Primary evidence
Marriage Cert
33 : ; Primary evidence
Birth Cert 1862 March 8e 277
34 : ; Primary evidence
Death Cert
35 : ; Primary evidence
Contract (Indenture) for apprenticeship to George Irwin

1881 Census RG11/4194 16 saddler
1891 Census RG12 3404 80 saddler (own business)
36 :
Birth cert (issued Prescot 18 Sept 1917). Place of birth described as Pecks Hill (actually Peckers Hill)
37 : ; Secondary evidence
MI on Thomas Elliot headstone in Blackburn Cemetery reads " also Ellen wife of Thomas Elliot died March 13th 1937"
also death cert
38 : ; Primary evidence
Funeral Service Last Rites
39 : ; Secondary evidence
family knowledge