Brock Family History

Wilson family · 4 generations back

Thomas Wilson

1850 – 1931
✓ Validated against records · 2026-07-05

Thomas Wilson was born on the 29th of September 1850 at 4 Cannon Street, in Sculcoates on the north edge of Hull, and christened into the family trade before he could choose it: his father, James Henry Wilson, was an iron moulder, as his grandfather Peter had been a blacksmith before him, and Thomas would be a moulder too — the man who packs the sand mould and pours the molten iron. Three generations of them cast metal within a few streets of the Sculcoates foundries; a fourth, his father's father's father, had worked tin as a whitesmith in the same town a century before.

In his mid-twenties Thomas carried the trade west, to Oldham — not to the cotton it is remembered for, but to the iron beneath it. Oldham in the 1870s was the workshop of the spinning world, its foundries and engineering shops (Platt Brothers greatest among them) casting the machinery that spun Lancashire's cotton, and a Hull-trained moulder was wanted there. He married in the town on the 4th of June 1876 — Clara Penrose Verity, of Cemetery Street, both of them signing their names — and their children came Oldham-born: Frederick, Harriet, Lydia, Annie, Thomas Morley. He did not go alone: by the 1881 census his brother James Henry's family were in Oldham too, the whole iron-working clan drawn to the same furnaces, and under Thomas's roof that spring stood his brother's Scottish wife, Elizabeth, and her five Hull-born children while their father was back east. The trade had followed the machines; the next generation would follow the cotton, his son Frederick a piecer in the mills by 1891.

Then loss turned him home. Clara sickened, and in September 1890 she died — not in Oldham but in Hull, at Waterloo Street among his own people, with Thomas at her side; she was thirty-four. He brought the children back to Sculcoates, married again in 1891 (Margaret Wroot), and worked on — by his granddaughter Joan's memory a shipwright at last, in Earle's great yard on the Humber, though the censuses keep calling him what he always was, an iron moulder. He died on the 20th of February 1931, aged eighty, and was laid not with his later wives but with Clara, under a stone that had waited forty years and kept its two quiet words for her: her end was peace.

Composed from validated records · 2026-07-05
Birth
September 29th 1850 West Sculcoates, Hull (BMI))
Marriage
June 4th 1876 to Clara Penrose Verity in Waterhead, Oldham. April 24th 1891 to Margaret Wroot in All Saints church Sculcoates
Death
February 20th 1931
Burial
February 28th 1931 aged 80 years (M.I. Sculcoates (North Side)
Parents
James Henry Wilson and Ann Whaley
Siblings
William Wilson baptised February 11th 1838 Sculcoates John Manby Wilson baptised January 5th 1840, Sculcoates Ann Wilson born 1842, Hull Sophia Wilson born 1844, Hull James Henry Wilson born 1846, Hull Eleanor Wilson born 1848, Hull Thomas Wilson born Septembe r 29th 1851, Hull Priscilla Wilson born 1853, Hull Elizabeth Wilson born 1854, Hull Eliza Wilson born 1856, Hull Emily Wilson born 1858, baptised May1st 1859, St. Pauls, Sculcoates Mary Jane Wilson baptised August 26th 1860, St. Pauls Sculcoates Louisa Wilson baptised December 28th 1862, St. Pauls, Sculcoates
Children
Frederick William Wilson born 1878, Oldham Harriet Wilson born 1881, Oldham, died 1882 Lydia Wilson born August 15th 1882, Oldham Annie Wilson born 1884, Oldham Thomas Morley Wilson born 1888, Oldham
1851c
Living with family in West Sculcoates, Hull James Wilson, Head, aged 33, born Hull Ann Wilson, Wife, aged 31, born Hull William Wilson, Son, aged 13, born Hull Errand Boy John Wilson, Son, aged 10 years, born Hull Ann Wilson, Daughter, aged 8 years, born Hull Sophia Wilson, Daughter, aged 6 years, born Hull James H Wilson, Son, aged 4 years, born Hull Eleanor Wilson, Daughter, aged 2 years, born Hull Thomas Wilson aged 5 months, born Hull Address: 4 Cannon Street, Hull Occupation of father: Iron Moulder Journyman
1861c
Living in the parish of St. Paul's Sculcoates James Wilson, Head, ages 45, born 1816, Hull Ann Wilson, Wife, aged 43, born 1818, Hull William Wilson, Son, aged 23, born 1838, Hull. , Iron Moulder Jas (sic) H Wilson, Son, aged 14, born 1847, Hull, Moulder Apprentice Eleanor Wilson, Daughter, aged 12, born 1849, Hull Thos (sic) Wilson Son, aged 10, born 1851, Hull Priscina (sic) Wilson, Daughter, aged 8, born 1853, Hull Elizh Wilson, Daughter, aged 6, born 1855, Hull Elice (sic) Wilson, Daughter, aged 4, born 1857, Hull Emily Wilson, Daughter, aged 2, born 1859, Hull Mary J. Wilson, Daughter, aged 1, born 1861 Address: Cannon Street, Hull Occupation of father: Iron Moulder
1871c
Living in the parish of St. Paul's Sculcoates James Wilson, Head, aged 55, born Hull Ann Wilson, Wife, aged 53, born Hull Thomas Wilson. Son, aged 20, born Hull Priscilla Wilson, Daughter, aged 18, born Hull, Starch Packer Elizabeth Wilson, Daughter, aged 16, born Hull, Blue Packer Eliza Wilson, Daughter, aged 14, born Hull, Piecer at Cotton Factory Emily Wilson, aged 12, born Hull Mary J. Wilson, Daughter, aged 10, born Hull Louisa Wilson, Daughter, aged 8, born Hull Address: 10 Cannon Street, Hull Occupation of Thomas: Iron Moulder at Iron Factory
1871-76
Moves to Oldham, Lancashire
1876
Marries Clara Penrose Verity in the parish church in Waterhead, Oldham Thomas Wilson, aged 25, Batchelor, Moulder, living Cemetery Street and Clara Penrose Verity aged 20, spinster, living in Cemetery Street were married by banns on the 4th day of June 1876 in the presence of William(x)Whaley and Ellen Haslam Fathers: James Henry Wilson and Frederick William Verity Both Thomas and Clara signed their names
1881c
Living in Waterhead, Oldham Above Town Thomas Wilson, Head born 1851, Hull Clara Wilson, Wife, born 1856 Stalybridge, Cheshire Frederick Wilson, Son, born 1878, Oldham Harriet Wilson, Daughter, born 1881 Oldham Elizabeth Wilson, Sister, Married, born 1845 Scotland George Wilson, Nephew, born 1878, Hull J. H. Nephew, born 1872, Hull Robert Wilson, Nephew born 1869, Hull Thomas Wilson, Nephew, born 1875, Hull Polly Wilson, Niece, born 1880, Hull Address: 14 Cemetery Street, Waterhead, Oldham Occupation: Iron Moulder Elizabeth Wilson and children, wife and offspring of James H. Wilson who at the time of the census was at his parent's home
1890
September 17th Clara dies aged 34 years (M.I.) Her death was registered in Hull with an address of Waterloo Street.
1891c
Living in the parish of Waterhead, Oldham Above Town Thomas Wilson Head, Widower born 1851, Hull Frederick Wilson, Son, aged 13, (not 3) born Oldham, Cotton Piecer Lydia Wilson , Daughter, born 1883, Oldham Thomas M. Wilson, Son, born 1888, Oldham Annie Wilson, Daughter, born 1885, Oldham Address: 273 Greenacres Road, Waterhead Occupation: Iron Moulder: Employed
1891
Marries Margaret Wroot at All Saints Church, Sculcoates (BMD) April 24th witnesses George Henry and Elisar Carr (from 14 Waterloo St) Returns with family to Hull. Son Frederick marries Sarah Fish of Hull in 1899 and by 1901 have a daughter named Clara.
1901c
Living in the parish of Christchurch, West Sculcoates Hull Thomas Wilson, Head, born 1851, Hull Margaret Wilson, Wife, born 1846, Crewe Cheshire Lydia Wilson Daughter, born 1883, Oldham, Shop Assistant Annie Wilson, Daughter, 1885, Oldham, Shop Assistant Thomas M Wilson, Son, born 1888, Oldham Edith A Morrison, Servant, born 1881, Hull, domestic servant Joseph Linlet, Boarder, born 1875 Leiston, Suffolk, Boot Shop manager A Hagnet, Boarder, born 1877, Nottingham, Boot Shop Assistant Address: 56 King Sreet, Sculcoates Occupation: Iron Moulder 'Thomas was a Shipwright at Earles Shipyard in Hull and married once again.' Joan Frith, granddaughter
1911c
Living at 14 Field Street, Sculcoates, widower Iron Moulder
1931
Dies aged 80 years at 160 Beverley Road of Senility. From 11 Victoria Terrace off Williamson Street Hull. He was buried alongside his first wife Clara Memorial Inscription: Sculcoates Cemetery, North Side Clara Wilson departed this life September 14th 1890 aged 34 years Also Thomas Wilson died February 20th 1931 aged 80 years
In your grandmother’s words · from her notebook

Family

Parents

JWFatherJames Henry Wilson1815–1888AWMotherAnn Whaley1818–1890

The children of James Henry & Ann

William Wilson b. 1838 · · · · James Wilson b. 1846 · Eleanor Wilson b. 1848 · Thomas Wilson b. 1850this page · Priscilla Wilson b. 1853 · Elizabeth Wilson b. 1854 · Eliza Wilson b. 1856 · Emily Wilson b. 1858 · Mary Jane Wilson b. 1860 ·

Marriages

CVSpouseClara Penrose Verity1856–1890MWSpouseMargaret Wrootb. 1846

Children

LWChild · the line continuesLydia Wilsonmain line1882–1973

Life

Confirmed — anchored to a recordEstimated — inferred
1850

Born at 4 Cannon Street — into the iron trade

29 September 1850

Thomas — Boy — born twenty-ninth September 1850, 4 Cannon Street, Hull. Father: James Henry Wilson. Mother: Ann Wilson, formerly Whaley. Occupation of father: Iron Moulder. Informant: James H. Wilson, Father, 4 Cannon Street, Hull. Registered seventh November 1850.— Birth certificate — Sculcoates (29 September 1850)
The record image is with the family — family sign-in
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research, cited — not yet re-verified at the image:
  • Birth certificate — Sculcoates (29 September 1850) — Certified copy of an entry of birth, Sculcoates registration district, sub-district of West Sculcoates, no. 429 — General Register Office; the certificate is among Mum's papers. It settles the year (Mum's own list once slipped to 1851) and sets down the family trade in the father's hand. from Mum’s research
1851

Census · 1851

1851

Living with family in West Sculcoates, Hull James Wilson, Head, aged 33, born Hull Ann Wilson, Wife, aged 31, born Hull William Wilson, Son, aged 13, born Hull Errand Boy John Wilson, Son, aged 10 years, born Hull Ann Wilson, Daughter, aged 8 years, born Hull Sophia Wilson, Daughter, aged 6 years, born Hull James H Wilson, Son, aged 4 years, born Hull Eleanor Wilson, Daughter, aged 2 years, born Hull Thomas Wilson aged 5 months, born Hull Address: 4 Cannon Street, Hull Occupation of father: Iron Moulder Journyman

— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1861

Census · 1861

1861

Living in the parish of St. Paul's Sculcoates James Wilson, Head, ages 45, born 1816, Hull Ann Wilson, Wife, aged 43, born 1818, Hull William Wilson, Son, aged 23, born 1838, Hull. , Iron Moulder Jas (sic) H Wilson, Son, aged 14, born 1847, Hull, Moulder Apprentice Eleanor Wilson, Daughter, aged 12, born 1849, Hull Thos (sic) Wilson Son, aged 10, born 1851, Hull Priscina (sic) Wilson, Daughter, aged 8, born 1853, Hull Elizh Wilson, Daughter, aged 6, born 1855, Hull Elice (sic) Wilson, Daughter, aged 4, born 1857, Hull Emily Wilson, Daughter, aged 2, born 1859, Hull Mary J. Wilson, Daughter, aged 1, born 1861 Address: Cannon Street, Hull Occupation of father: Iron Moulder

— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1871

Census · 1871

1871

Living in the parish of St. Paul's Sculcoates James Wilson, Head, aged 55, born Hull Ann Wilson, Wife, aged 53, born Hull Thomas Wilson. Son, aged 20, born Hull Priscilla Wilson, Daughter, aged 18, born Hull, Starch Packer Elizabeth Wilson, Daughter, aged 16, born Hull, Blue Packer Eliza Wilson, Daughter, aged 14, born Hull, Piecer at Cotton Factory Emily Wilson, aged 12, born Hull Mary J. Wilson, Daughter, aged 10, born Hull Louisa Wilson, Daughter, aged 8, born Hull Address: 10 Cannon Street, Hull Occupation of Thomas: Iron Moulder at Iron Factory

— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1871

In 1871

1871

Moves to Oldham, Lancashire— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1876

Married Clara Penrose Verity

4 June 1876 at St Stephens Church

June 4th 1876, the Parish Church, Waterhead. Thomas Wilson, 25, bachelor, moulder, of Cemetery Street — father James Henry Wilson. Clara Penrose Verity, 20, spinster, of Cemetery Street — father Frederick William Verity. Married by banns. Witnesses: William ✕ Whaley [his mark], Ellen Haslam.— Marriage certificate — Waterhead, Oldham (4 June 1876)
The record image is with the family — family sign-in
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research, cited — not yet re-verified at the image:
  • Marriage certificate — Waterhead, Oldham (4 June 1876) — Certified copy of an entry of marriage, Oldham registration district, no. 316, the Parish Church of Waterhead — General Register Office (Mum's copy, ordered 1999). Both bride and groom signed their own names; the groom's witness, William Whaley — his mother's kin — made his mark. from Mum’s research
1881

Census · 1881

1881

Living in Waterhead, Oldham Above Town Thomas Wilson, Head born 1851, Hull Clara Wilson, Wife, born 1856 Stalybridge, Cheshire Frederick Wilson, Son, born 1878, Oldham Harriet Wilson, Daughter, born 1881 Oldham Elizabeth Wilson, Sister, Married, born 1845 Scotland George Wilson, Nephew, born 1878, Hull J. H. Nephew, born 1872, Hull Robert Wilson, Nephew born 1869, Hull Thomas Wilson, Nephew, born 1875, Hull Polly Wilson, Niece, born 1880, Hull Address: 14 Cemetery Street, Waterhead, Oldham Occupation: Iron Moulder Elizabeth Wilson and children, wife and offspring of James H. Wilson who at the time of the census was at his parent's home

— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1890

In 1890

1890

September 17th Clara dies aged 34 years (M.I.) Her death was registered in Hull with an address of Waterloo Street.— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1891

Census · 1891

1891

Living in the parish of Waterhead, Oldham Above Town Thomas Wilson Head, Widower born 1851, Hull Frederick Wilson, Son, aged 13, (not 3) born Oldham, Cotton Piecer Lydia Wilson , Daughter, born 1883, Oldham Thomas M. Wilson, Son, born 1888, Oldham Annie Wilson, Daughter, born 1885, Oldham Address: 273 Greenacres Road, Waterhead Occupation: Iron Moulder: Employed

— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1901

Census · 1901

1901

Living in the parish of Christchurch, West Sculcoates Hull Thomas Wilson, Head, born 1851, Hull Margaret Wilson, Wife, born 1846, Crewe Cheshire Lydia Wilson Daughter, born 1883, Oldham, Shop Assistant Annie Wilson, Daughter, 1885, Oldham, Shop Assistant Thomas M Wilson, Son, born 1888, Oldham Edith A Morrison, Servant, born 1881, Hull, domestic servant Joseph Linlet, Boarder, born 1875 Leiston, Suffolk, Boot Shop manager A Hagnet, Boarder, born 1877, Nottingham, Boot Shop Assistant Address: 56 King Sreet, Sculcoates Occupation: Iron Moulder 'Thomas was a Shipwright at Earles Shipyard in Hull and married once again.' Joan Frith, granddaughter

— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1911

Census · 1911

1911

Living at 14 Field Street, Sculcoates, widower Iron Moulder— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1931

In 1931

1931

Dies aged 80 years at 160 Beverley Road of Senility. From 11 Victoria Terrace off Williamson Street Hull. He was buried alongside his first wife Clara Memorial Inscription: Sculcoates Cemetery, North Side Clara Wilson departed this life

September 14th 1890 aged 34 years Also Thomas Wilson died

February 20th 1931 aged 80 years

— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.
1931

Died

20 February 1931

In loving memory of Clara Wilson who departed this life September 14th 1890, aged 34 years. Her end was peace. Also Thomas Wilson who died Feb. 20th 1931, aged 80.— The grave — Sculcoates Cemetery (with Clara)
The record image is with the family — family sign-in
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research, cited — not yet re-verified at the image:
  • The grave — Sculcoates Cemetery (with Clara) — Memorial inscription, Sculcoates Cemetery (north side), photographed among Mum's papers; the stone carries Clara (d.1890) and Thomas (d.1931) together. Though Thomas married twice more, he lies with his first wife. from Mum’s research
1931

Buried

28 February 1931

February 28th 1931 aged 80 years (M.I. Sculcoates (North Side))— From Janet Brock’s research
Mum’s record Evidence
From Janet Brock’s research notebook.

Records & papers

3 record images are with the family — family sign-in

Our research

Thomas's wife-line, and a Scottish thread

Research · Oldham, Sculcoates, and one marriage north of the border

Thomas is fully evidenced from his own family's certificates — birth, both marriages, and the grave he shares with Clara. Two threads run outward from him, for a later pass.

Clara's people — the Veritys

Clara Penrose Verity (1856–1890) brought her own traced line: her father Frederick William Verity, and behind him Abraham and William Verity — Mum followed the Veritys back four generations. They are their own chapter, still to be written up.

The Scottish sister-in-law

The 1881 Oldham census puts a puzzle on Thomas's page: an "Elizabeth Wilson, sister, married, aged 36, born Scotland", with five Hull-born "nephews" and a "niece." She is not Thomas's sister — his sisters were Hull-born — but his sister-in-law, wife of his brother James Henry Wilson junior, who was that night recorded back at their parents' house in Hull. So the "Scotland" on the family's record is a marriage-in, not a Wilson origin. Her Scottish town is not yet known — the census gives only the country. To do: James Henry junior's marriage, for Elizabeth's maiden name and birthplace.