Cath Mudford Website

Thomas Mudford Biography

Thomas was the second child of Joseph Mudford and Elizabeth Haywood and was christened on 2 May 1819 at West Chinnock, Somerset.

Thomas married Eliza Minty who was born at Foxcote in 1819. They were married on 28^thJuly 1842 at the Parish Church of Foxcote in Somerset. His father was Joseph Mudford, Labourer, her father Jonathan Minty Labourer. Witnesses were Joseph Long? And Elizabeth Britten?. Thier first child was christened on 13^th August 1843 at Midsomer Norton. It is known that Thomas moved to Midsomer Norton before his brothers left for Australia.

Thomas was the only son not to emigrate to Australia. So it is assumed his father moved in with him when he grew too old to look after himself. A valuation list of 1863 showed Joseph as owner/occupier of a house in Middle Chinnock. On the next list in 1867 Thomas is shown as the owner with a Thomas Task as the occupier. It is apparent that Thomas moved from Middle Chinnock to Midsomer Norton in order to work in the mines. In those days it was a reasonable distance to move away from your family and the steady source of work would have been a great attraction to a family trying to survive then.

He died 16 April 1886 in Midsomer Norton and buried 22 April 1886 in St John the Baptist, Midsomer Norton, Somerst, England. Cause of death was Pnuemonia. Daeth was registered by Louisa Whittock who was present at the death.

1841 Census Broadstone Farm, Middle Chinnock

Name	Position	Age	Where Born	Occupation	BK No
Joseph Mudford	Head	45	Somerset	Weaver	77
Elizabeth Mudford	Wife	45	Somerset		78
Hannah Mudford	Daur	20	Somerset		79
Thomas Mudford	Son	20	Somerset		63
John Mudford	Son	20	Somerset		124
Samuel Mudford	Son	15	Somerset		125
William Mudford	Son	6	Somerset		128
James Mudford	G Son	6	Somerset		81
Mary Ann Mudford	Daur	3	Somerset		12

The 1851 Census - Midsomer Norton Parish - 4a - Resident in town centre - Schedule 88

Name	Position	Age	Where Born	Occupation	BK No
Thomas Mudford	Head	31	West Chinnock, Somerset	Farm Labourer	63
Eliza Mudford	Wife	31	Foxcoat, Somerset	Wife	64
Elizabeth Mudford	Daur	4	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Daughter	73
James Bridge	Lodger	28	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Coal Miner
Caroline Bridge	Wife	24	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Wife
Betsey Bridge	Daur	8m	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Daughter

The 1861 Census- Midsomer Norton Parish - 2 - Resident at 86 Norton Hill- Schedule 86

Name	Position	Age	Where Born	Occupation	BK No
Thomas Mudford	Head	41	West Chinnock, Somerset	Labourer	63
Eliza Mudford	Wife	41	Foxcote, Somerset	Wife	64
Elizabeth Mudford	Daur	14	Midsomer Norton, Somerset		73
Joseph Mudford	Son	10	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Scholar	49
George Mudford	Son	6	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Scholar	65
Mary A Mudford	Daur	2	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Scholar	75

The 1871 Census - Midsomer Norton Parish - 3 - Compton Lane - Schedule 4

Name	Position	Age	Where Born	Occupation	BK No
Thomas Mudford	Head	51	West Chinnock, Somerset	Labourer	63
Eliza Mudford	Wife	51	Foxcote, Somerset	Wife	64
Joseph Mudford	Son	20	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Labourer	49
George Mudford	Son	16	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Labourer	65
Emily Mudford	Daur	9	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Scholar	76

1881 Census Midsomer Norton Parish Resident in Clapton Lane Piece 2428 Folio 52 Page 1

Name	Position	Age	Where Born	Occupation	BK No
Thomas Mudford	Head	62	West Chinnock, Somerset	Ag Labourer	63
Eliza Mudford	Wife	62	Foxcote, Somerset	Wife	64
Joseph Mudford	Son	30	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Ag Labourer	49
George Mudford	Son	25	Midsomer Norton, Somerset	Ag Labourer	65

At the time of his death in 1886 he was living in Clapton Lane. Thomas was buried on 22 April 1886.