Part of the Earley family tree (Grandfather)
Family background
Tom Earley (never “Thomas”) was born at West Grimstead, near Salisbury on 24 August 1878; he was the seventh child (of 10) born to Charles John Earley (1842–1924) and his wife Martha née Rose (1844–1931). He was baptised at St John’s Church, West Grimstead on 18 December 1878.
Tom lived with his parents in West Grimstead until his marriage. At the time of the 1901 census, 22-year old Tom was still living at home when he was employed as a groom. A few doors away lived Alfred (a carpenter) and Ellen Southwell and their 14-year old daughter Ellen Keturah.
As well as working as a carpenter, Alfred Southwell served as the village undertaker for the small number of funerals held at the parish church each year. In April 1908, Alfred was sued by the newly-appointed Rector of St John’s Church, West Grimstead, the Revd. George Darnell Shenton, who claimed an increase in the fee of 5 shillings paid for burials in the churchyard to 9s 6d. Alfred was supported in his defence of the claim by several parishioners, including Tom Earley, described as the sexton and former parish clerk. The case was found in favour of Alfred and shortly afterwards Revd. Shenton left the parish to take up a post in Colchester, to be replaced by Revd. John H. Wilkinson.
See Shenton vs. Southwell for a full report on the court cases
Marriage and children
On 6 October 1910, Tom and Ellen (now 32 and 23 respectively) were married at St John’s Church by Revd. Wilkinson. On the marriage certificate, Tom is described as a (traction) “engine driver”.
At the census on 2 April 1911, Tom and Ellen were living at West Grimstead, next door to Charles and Martha, with Ellen’s parents still living a few doors away. Tom and Ellen’s first son, Alfred John (always known as “John”) was born at West Grimstead a few days later, on 12 April 1911. John was baptised at St Andrew’s Church, Laverstock on 4 June 1911.
Tom and Ellen had five further children:
Henry Tom, born at Farley on 26 September 1912 (always known as “Tom”). Tom was baptised at St Rumbold’s Church, Cann, near Shaftesbury on 16 March 1913.
Arthur Edwin, born at Brickyard Lane, Yeovil on 22 November 1914. Arthur was baptised at West Grimstead on 18 April 1915. He died, aged 4, at Salisbury Infirmary on 29 November 1919 from acidosis.
Walter George, born at Nether Wallop on 20 February 1917 [No record of his baptism has been found]
Margaret Rose, born at Whiteparish on 26 January 1920. Margaret was baptised at All Saints Church, Whiteparish on 7 March 1920.
Eva Mary, born at West Grimstead in September 1923 (still living, aged 101) [No record of her baptism has been found]
At the 1921 census, Tom and Ellen, together with their four children, were living at Brickworth Road, Whiteparish. Tom, now 42 was employed by Mr E Parsons, at Brickworth Farm as a traction engine driver.
During the early years of their marriage, Tom and Ellen seem to have moved house frequently, living in various villages in Wiltshire and Hampshire, before settling in Downton, where they were living in September 1939. The couple were living at Church House, Downton. Tom, now 61, was working as the church sexton. Living with them was 59-year old Florence Cutts, a church worker.
Later in life, the couple lived at Hanging Langford, where Ellen died on 18 August 1962.
Tom spent his last years at St Nicholas Hospital (almshouses) in Salisbury, where he died on 21 January 1967, aged 88.