Adolph Thomson 1862-1935
Adolph was born on 23 June 1862 the son of John Thomson and Emma Goodwin but I have been unable to find his birth in the GRO index. He was probably named after the minister of St Marks Church Greenwich, Adolph Saphir a in the tradition of naming the first baby to be baptised by a new minster after him.
In 1881 Adolph was a warehouseman. On 30 July 1883 at St Michael's, Wood Green, he married Fanny Louisa Leuty Polkinhorn the daughter of James David Polkinhorn, gentleman. From the census, Fanny was born at St Day, Cornwall.
In 1885 Adolph was a draper's assistant, in 1886 a grocer, in 1887 a mantle maker and in 1890 a traveller (salesman).
By 1891 Adolph was a credit draper collector working on his own account and living at 6 William Street, Bermondsey. Only their youngest child is with them on census night.
Between 1898 and 1904 the electoral register lists Adolph's address as 88 Greenwich Road. In 1905 Adolph and Fanny were added to the membership roll of St Marks Presbyterian church, Greenwich and four of their children were baptised in April of that year. In 1908 Adolph became a deacon and temporary treasurer. He resigned in 1916. He was inducted as a deacon again in 1920 and resigned in 1927.
The 1911 census records that Adolph and Fanny had 16 children all of whom were still alive, and all but one was still residing with their parents at 41 Devonshire Road, Greenwich, a house with nine rooms. From 1916 to his death on 30 December 1935 Adolph lived at 122 Greenwich Road. Fanny is recorded in the GRO as dying in 1940.
Children of Adolph and Fanny Thomson
Children:-
- Herbert Frederick Saphir Thomson born 1884 Wood Green
He was baptised on 7 January 1885 at Wood Green. In 1891 he was living at 5 St Michael's Terrace, Wood Green with his great aunt and uncle on his mothers side, Thomas F and Ellen Bailey. He was still living with them in 1901 but now in Ipswich, Suffolk and Herbert was a mercantile clerk. In 1911 he was a credit draper's assistant, back living with his parents in Greenwich. In 1947 he had a drapers and outfitters at 269 Lewisham Way.
- Sidney George Thomson born 1885 Wood Green, Middlesex
He was baptised at Wood Green on 21 February 1886. In 1891 he was with his grandmother Charlotte Polkinghorn at 39 Amersham Vale, Deptford. In 1901 he was a marine engineer living with his parents. In 1908 at Grimbsy, Lincolnshire Sidney married Dora Rebecca Cowdery and in 1911 he was the 1st Engineer on board the trawler Saturn based at Grimsby. Rebecca was in Clee, Lincs with their year old son Sidney George.
- Mabel Ellen Thomson born 1886 Wood Green
She was baptised in Wood Green on 6 February 1887. In 1891 she was a visitor with the Austin family, next door to her brother Sydney at 37 Amersham Vale, Deptford. She was added to the roll of membership of St Marks church, Greenwich, in 1905. Mabel married William Alfred Sivyer a technical photographer, son of William Alfred Sivyer, a confectionery manager, on 27 Apr 1911 at St Marks, Greenwich.
- Percy John Thomson born 1888 Greenwich
He was baptised at the same time as his sister Dorothy on 16 June 1890 at the parish church of St Mark, Deptford. He was added to the roll of membership of St Marks Church, Greenwich in 1908. In 1911 he was a credit draper's assistant, living with his parent. In 1920 Percy married Edith Miypah Ball from Catford, London.
- Dorothy Beatrice Thomson born 1889 Southwark
She was baptised at the same time as brother Percy on 16 June 1890 at the parish church of St Mark, Deptford. She was added to the roll of membership of St Marks church, Greenwich in 1905. Dorothy was a school teacher when she married Henry Elkington on 25 July 1915 at St Marks, Greenwich. Henry was a sanitary inspector and son of Robert George Elkington, a merchant.
- Douglas Charles Thomson born 1891 Southwark
- Ethel Charlotte Thomson born 1893 Deptford
Baptised at St Mark parish church, Deptford on 22 February 1894. Married Frank Richard English, a draughtsman at St Marks, Greenwich on 27 December 1914
- Cyril Ernest Thomson born 1895 Greenwich
Baptised at St Mark parish church, Deptford on 17 February 1898 at the same time as his brother Malcolm and sister Gladys. In 1911 he was a junior clerk at an export packers. He was a shipping clerk when he married Violet May Cooper on 3 June 1920 at St Marks Greenwich
- Malcolm Harold Thomson born 1896 Greenwich
Baptised at St Mark parish church, Deptford on 17 February 1898. In 1911 he was a junior clerk at an export packers. He was admitted to St Marks church in 1919
- Gladys Maud Thomson born 1898 Greenwich
Baptised at St Mark parish church, Deptford on 17 February 1898. She was admitted to St Marks church, Greenwich, in 1919. On 31 March 1921 at St Marks, Greenwich she married Francis Fettes Leslie who was a horticulturalist at Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran, Scotland, son of Charles Leslie an engineer (deceased).
- Elsie Winifred Thomson born 31 May 1899 Greenwich
She was admitted to St Marks church in 1919
- Reginald Thomson born 8 April 1901 Greenwich
- Lionel Thomson born 5 September1902 Greenwich
- Adolph Noel Thomson born 1904 Greenwich
- Donald Thomson born 15 March 1907 Greenwich
- Marjorie Agnes Thomson born 12 December 1908 Greenwich
He was baptised on 26 January 1893 at the parish church of St Mark, Deptford. In 1911 he was a confidential clerk at the office of a brewery.
Notes
- Link to short biography of Adolph Saphir external site opens in new tab