Saturday, 4 April 2020

Great x4 Grandfather Thomas Easterbrook

My Great x4 Grandfather Thomas (1765 - 1848), was a father of nine.


Thomas was born around 1765 in Exbourne, Devon to Philip Easterbrook (about 39) and Elizabeth Easterbrook (nee Gypson).

Thomas was baptised on 7th July 1765 in Exbourne.

Thomas was the seventh of eight children (two daughters and six sons):


  • Elizabeth  1748 -
  • John  1754 -
  • Philip  1756 -
  • Mary  1759 - 
  • William  1761 -
  • Richard  1763 -
  • Thomas  1765 -
  • Walter  1767 - 1768 (about 13 months)


In 1768, when Thomas was about three, his younger brother Walter passed away, about only thirteen months old. Walter was buried on 12th September 1768 in Exbourne.

On 5th September 1786, Thomas (about 21) married Sarah Westlake (about 21) in her native Hatherleigh, which is less than five miles from Thomas' native Exbourne. On their record of marriage, each left other their mark, implying neither could write. They married in the presence of William Westlake, likely a close relation of Sarah.

Thomas and Sarah had nine children (four daughters and five sons):


  • Betty  1787 - 1802  (about 15 years old)
  • Walter  1789 -
  • Mary  1792 -
  • Sarah  1795 -
  • Jane  1798 -
  • John  1800 -
  • Thomas  1802 - 1809  (about 6 years old)
  • William  1807 -
  • Thomas Westlake  1810 -


In 1793, when Thomas was about twenty-eight, his father Philip passed away, aged about sixty-seven. Philip was buried on 30th October 1793 in Exbourne.

In 1798, when Thomas was about thirty-three, his mother Elizabeth passed away, likely in her seventies. Elizabeth was buried on 13th November 1798 in Exbourne.

Sadly two of Thomas and Sarah's children passed away young. Their eldest child, Betty, passed away, aged about fifteen, in 1802. She was buried on 26th April 1802 in Exbourne. And their seventh child, Thomas, passed away, aged about six, in 1809. He was buried on 7th March 1809 in Exbourne.

Alas I know little about the middle of Thomas' life. He seemingly spent most of his life in his native Exbourne, and likely worked as an agricultural labourer or had a rural trade, like his son Walter, who was a thatcher.

In 1841, when Thomas was about seventy-six, her wife Sarah passed away, aged about seventy-six. She was buried on 16th August 1841 in Exbourne.

In 1848, Thomas passed away, aged about eighty-three. He was buried on 3rd July 1848, in Exbourne.

No comments:

Post a Comment