DOWNES, Thomas (Grimwade p.380)

[MCB]

Goldworkers List (Section VII).

Thomas William Downes, son of John and Elizabeth, was born on 18th April 1786 and christened at St James, Clerkenwell later that year.
In 1807 he married Susan Boyce at St John, Hackney; both were from that parish.
Four of their children were christened at St James, Clerkenwell 1808-12 but the records give no additional detail.
Three of their children were christened at St John, Clerkenwell in 1814-17. Their father is recorded as an engraver from Goswell Street.
He entered a maker’s mark at Goldsmiths Hall in 1825 as a goldworker from 90 Hatton Garden and he reported a move to 8 High Street, Islington in 1827.
Four of their children born in 1817-22 were christened on the same day in 1827 at St James, Clerkenwell. Their father is recorded as a goldsmith from High Street.
Another change of address to 10 Great Portland Street, Oxford Street was reported to Goldsmiths Hall in 1835.
His first wife Susan had died by 1836 as he is recorded as a widower marrying Sarah Rebecca Gregory at St Mary, Hornsey in that year. He was from that parish and she came from St Mary, Islington parish.
The 1841 UK Census shows him aged 50 years (he was actually 54) living at Hedge Row, Islington with Sarah Rebecca aged 25 years born in Ireland around 1816. He also had a new family of children, one born in Southgate and one born in Christ Church, Surrey. Ages recorded in the 1841 Census have been found not to be too accurate.
Two children were christened at St Peter, Islington in 1840 and another three at St Mary, Islington in 1841-45. Their father is recorded on all as a jeweller from 40 High Street
The 1851 Census for Ellington Cottage, Thanet, Kent shows Thomas aged 64 years had become a house proprietor. Births of two more children aged 4 and 1 years are also shown in addition to those for whom christening records had previously been found. His last five children were all born in Islington.
Events after 1851 are unknown as no trace of any of the family has been found in the UK records after that year.