John and Maria THORNTON
(née SWIFT)
John THORNTON was born in 1813 in Bicker, Lincs to Isaac and Ann THORNTON.
I know nothing of his early life, but he was living in Alconbury, HUN from as early as 1841,when he appears on the census there, at his uncle's pub (John WARSOP). By 1851 he was a farm bailiff, still in Alconbury. In 1861, he was still at Alconbury, as a farm bailiff. In 1871 he appears as an innkeeper, and farmer, employing staff(in Bourne, Lincs).
He died on the 12th March 1880 and was buriedat Bourne cemetery on 15 Mar 1880.
Maria SWIFT was born in 1819 in Freiston, Lincs (bp: 23 May 1819) . Her parents were Anthony and Alice SWIFT.
After marrying in 1844 in Lincs, the family seem to have moved between Lincs and Hunts, especially for the burial of children Martha and John.
Maria died on Sun 27th Sept 1896 at her daughter Martha's house, and was buried at Bourne on Wed 30 Sep 1896 aged 77.(see obit. at the bottom of the page)
Many thanks to new cousin Simon for providing the brilliant photo of his 2x gt grandmother, Maria.
John THORNTON (b) married Maria SWIFT(s)
at Freiston Church, Lincs
by licence
on 9th Feb. 1844
John's father was Isaac - a farmer. Maria's father was Antony - a butcher. Both were of full age. Witnesses were Mary and William Swift.
They had at least 7 children. William b. 1845 Alconbury, HUN. d. 1872 aged 28. Buried in Bourne cemetery. Martha 1846-1850. Buried in Freiston near the SWIFT graves. John b. 1850 Alconbury, HUN. d. 1859 aged 8. in Alconbury. Thomas b. 1852 Alconbury, HUN. d. 1884 aged 32. Buried in Bourne cemetery. Alice b 1853 Alconbury, HUN. Married John Baxter SHILCOCK in 1872 at Boston parish church. My 2x gt g'parents. Ann Maria b 1855 Alconbury, HUN. In 1877 she married Thomas MANSFIELD, a solicitor from Pointon,LIN. In 1881 they were living in Barrow-in-Furness with son Thomas. In 1891 and 1901 they were living in Fulwood, Preston,LAN. Son Thomas was following in his father's footsteps. Son, Eversley and two daughters by 1891, Hilda and Gladys. Still in Fulwood in 1901 and 1911. Son Eversley possibly had a connection with Manchester City FC, and went on to survive WW1. Martha b. 1857 Spalding, LIN. Married George H. MAYS in 1882 in Bourne. Three children by 1901; Henry, Constance and Muriel. Was still alive in 1926 when husband George died and in 1927 when her father died.
DIRECTORIES
Alconbury 1854 Directory lists John THORNTON as a farmer.
White's 1872 Directory lists John THORNTON as victualler, Bull posting house, and farmer, Market place,Bourn
Lincs 1876 PO Directory lists John THORNTON at the Bull Inn and posting house, Market Place, Bourn
White's 1882 Directory lists Maria THORNTON as victualler, the Nag's Head, Market Place, Bourn.
From the Stamford Mercury of Fri 2nd Oct. 1896
