Thomas Thompson There are a FEW Possible Thomases from LDS IGI, in order of likelihood:
Christening: 05 OCT 1794 Saint Michael, Workington, Cumberland, England
s/o William & Mary Thompson
b. 17-Dec-1792, chr. 24-Dec-1792, Saint Bees, Cumberland, s/o Joseph Thompson and his wife, Mary
chr. 17-Jun-1792, Lazonby, Cumberland, s/o Thomas and Frances Thompson
chr. 17-Feb-1793, Dacre, Cumberland, s/o George Thompson and Mary Dawson
chr. 31-Oct-1793, Irthington, Cumberland, s/o Thomas Thompson and Ann Graham
chr. 21-Jun-1794, Farlam, Cumberland, s/o John Thompson and Frances Wilkinson
Another possible, though UNLIKELY connection is this one:
Christening: 14 MAR 1790 Saint Michael, Workington, Cumberland, England s/o David and Martha Thompson
Based on further findings on SOME of the above, the best likelihood is the son of William & Mary.
Area history and geography:
Great and Little Clifton is actually made up of two tiny villages, into the one parish, which is contained within the town of Workington. In turn, Workington Parish contains Great Clifton, Little Clifton, Stainburn, Winscales, and, of course, Workington.
Great Clifton, or Kirk Clifton township, contains a pleasant village on the south side of the river Derwent, 2½ miles east of Workington, and 5½ miles west of Cockermouth. It is said that a market was formerly held here, and to corroborate this tradition, the remains of an ancient cross are still pointed out. Both this and the adjoining township of Little Clifton are now in the Derwent Division, and form one chapelry and manor, of which the earl of Lonsdale is lord, but the land is freehold, except a small portion, which is held by customary tenure, subject to fines. The township contains 850 acres, rated at £1000, and the largest proprietor is Ricd. Watts, Esq., but W. L. Dickinson, Esq., of Workington, and Messrs. Jph. Sanderson, of Cockermouth, John Sparks, of Liverpool, and H. Borradaile, have estates here. In 1831, it contained a population of 288, and in 1841, 378 souls.
Clifton House, the seat of Rd. Watts, Esq., is a large mansion occupying a delightful and elevated situation, two miles E. of Workington, overlooking the picturesque vale of the Derwent, and commanding beautiful and extensive prospects, both by sea and land. It was erected about the year 1824, by its present proprietor, and its extensive plantations are now in a luxuriant state. In the garden are a stove, vinery, pinery, and frames, &c.
The manor of Great and Little Clifton passed from Wm. de Meschines to Waldieve, son of Gospatric, and afterwards to the Lucys, Eaglesfields, Berdseys, and Salkelds, the latter of whom sold it to Sir James Lowther, Bart., from whom it descended to its present possessor. The Chapel, which occupies a very picturesque situation in the township of Little Clifton, is an ancient edifice, but has been much modernized by frequent repairs. The living is a perpetual curacy, worth about £100 per annum, arising from £800 obtained from queen Anne's bounty, in 1733, 1752, 1775, and 1793, with which 22 acres of land, were purchased in Kennyside, in 1760, and 12A. 0R. 20P. in Great Clifton. In addition to these, there was a parliamentary grant of £1000 obtained in 1819, and £25 a year from the ecclesiastical commissioners, in 1843. It is in the patronage of the rector of Workington, and incumbency of the Rev. Anthony Dalzell. Marriages were solemnized here in the 16th, and in the early part of the 17th century, since which time they were discontinued, till 1831, when the privilege was resumed. At the enclosure of the commons, in 1814, there were about 300 acres of land allotted in lieu of the tithes. The Wesleyans have a small chapel in the village.
Little Clifton township has also an ancient village, on an eminence near the junction of the Maron, and the small rivulet called the Lostridge7 3½ miles E. of Workington, and 4½ West of Cockermouth. It contains 1024A. of the rateable value of £1013, mostly the property of the Rev. H Curwen, the Messrs. Dickinson, Joseph Sanderson, Richard Watts, Esqr. Clifton House, J. and W. Thompson, and Joseph Harris, Esq. Here is a colliery belonging to the earl of Lonsdale, and at Bridge foot, or Underfoot hamlet, is a corn mill and an edge tool and sickle manufactory. Pop., 281. (could 'W. Thompson' have been Wiliam?)
Crossbarrow hamlet is partly in this, and partly in Great Clifton township.
'CLIFTON, GREAT and LITTLE, two townships in the parish of Workington, in the county of Cumberland, 3 miles from Workington, its post town, and 6 from Cockermouth. Great Clifton is situated on the S. bank of the Derwent, adjoining Little Clifton, which is likewise watered by a branch of the Derwent. The tithes of the two townships were commuted in 1814.'
Based on some other historical records, Great & Little Clifton were home to some major coal pits (collieries) and this could well explain Joseph Thompson's interests in mining. He was born circa 1793 at
Workington, Cumberland, England. He was the son of
William Thompson and
Mary UNKNOWN. Thomas Thompson was baptized on 5 October 1794 at
St Michael, Workington, Cumberland, England. He married
Sarah Smith on 23 January 1820 at
St Michael, Workington, Cumberland, England.