Great x4 Grandfather Thomas Boobier

My Great x4 Grandfather Thomas (1781 - 1840) was a labourer, navigator, and father of six.

Thomas was born on 26th October 1781 in Tiverton, Devon to Edward Boobier (about 27) and Grace Boobier (nee King) (about 24).

Thomas was baptised on Christmas Day 1781 in Tiverton.

Thomas was the second of six children (four sons and two children):

• Edward  1780 -
• Thomas  1781 -
• William  1784 -
• George  1786 -
• Grace  1791 -
• Ann  1793 - 1794 (about 12 months old)

In the summer of 1794, when Thomas was twelve, his mother Grace (about 37) and youngest sister Ann (about 1) passed away. Mother and daughter were both buried on 6th June 1794 in Tiverton.

On the 24th April 1805, Thomas (23), a labourer, married Mary Wood (about 24) in Tiverton. On their record of marriage, both left only their mark, implying neither could write.

In January 1807, when Thomas was twenty-five, his father Edward passed away, aged about fifty-three. He was buried on 4th January 1807 in his native Washfield, a village two miles north-west of Tiverton.

Thomas and Mary had six children (four sons and two children):

• John  1806 - 1840  (34 years old)
• Mary  1809 -
• Edward  1817 -
• William  1820 - 1824  (4 years old)
• Grace  1823 - 1836  (13 years old)
• William  1826 - 1886 (59 years old)

Alas two of their children passed away in childhood. Their fourth child, William, passed away, aged only four, in 1824. William was buried on 1st September 1824 in Tiverton. The couple would name their youngest son for their lost child. And their fifth child, Grace, likely named for her William's mother and sister, passed away, aged about thirteen, in 1836. Grace was buried on 12th June 1836 in Tiverton.

On 4th November 1840, Thomas passed away suddenly, aged fifty-nine. That day, he, with one of his sons and some other men, had been making a pond on the estate of a Mr Gunn. After suddenly complaining of not feeling well, his son recommended he return to the farmhouse, but he would never reach it - on his way, he fell to the ground and died. He had not been ill, but appeared in his usual health, until his last moments.

His death was reported in the North Devon Journal of 12th November 1840:

Thomas was buried on 8th November 1840, in Tiverton. Thomas' oldest son, John, passed away soon after, aged about thirty-four. John was buried on 22nd November 1840 in Tiverton. Thomas' widow Mary was supported by the income of her surviving adult children.