Adkins family - histories
Looking for our past!
home > histories > Thomas ~ b.1762
Thomas Adkins, bap. 27th April 1762
Thomas Adkins lead a very different life from that of his predecessors.
At the age of 16, on 12th November 1778, he was apprenticed for 7 years (document) to Edward CONNARD tallow chandler and grocer of Birmingham. His grandfather, John BIRD paid a premium of £21 to CONNARD and guaranteed the "true performance" of Thomas ADKINS’ obligations. However, Thomas did not have to complete the 7 years for on the 25th March 1783 he was "approved to be at liberty" after serving 4 years and 4 months of his apprenticeship.
Five years later, on 29th September 1788, Thomas married Elizabeth FIELD daughter of Richard and Isobel FIELD of Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire. Richard FIELD was a farmer and wickyarn maker so it is more than likely that Thomas met Elizabeth through conducting business with her father, buying wickyarn for his candle making. The FIELD family were an old and well established family with a long history (documented).
A document shows that Thomas was in partnership with Edward CONNARD’s widow Mary as on 12th August 1796 the partnership was dissolved and Thomas bought the business outright. The premises and workshops were behind the messuage in Bull Street, Birmingham, once having been leased to Sadler & Flint. Whether Thomas remained there all his working life is uncertain as his address is also listed as in Livery Street from 1791-1815 and another address is Monmouth Street. Possibly he expanded his business interests.
Thomas and Elizabeth had 3 children, Elizabeth (not mentioned in Thomas’s Will so thought to have died young, Thomas and Sarah. Sadly, his wife Elizabeth died on 30th March 1797 aged only 29 leaving Thomas with a young family to bring up. He never remarried and had the help of his housekeeper Mary COLE and his servant Thomas BIRLEY the elder to bring up the children.
Thomas's Will Proved 8th October 1824 was sworn at under £10,000 in the Archbishop's Court having property 'in divers Dioceases.'
|
