Died
11 January 1920
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Thomas Farish
The headstone has lost its cross, which now lies flat within the kerbs. In the background of Sankey’s picture can be seen the Non-Conformist Chapel, and to the left, the lighthouse erected to James Gall, which can also be found on the “Furness Stories Behind the Stones website.
In Ever Loving Memory of
THOMAS FARISH,
BORN 2ND MAY 1862,
DIED 11TH JANUARY 1920.
To which has been added
ALSO ELIZABETH, HIS WIFE,
BORN 27TH NOVEMBER 1862
DIED 20TH AUGUST 1945.
“SOMETIME WE WILL UNDERSTAND”
1871 Census
Thomas Farrish (sic) first appears in the 1871 Census, living at 75 Raglan Street, Barrow. In the household are Ellen Farrish (sic) (48) Widow, Housekeeper, born Gretna, Scotland; Francis Farrish (22) Unmarried, Pattern Maker, born Carlisle, Cumberland; George Nelson Farrish (18) Unmarried, Labourer at Steel Works, born Carlisle; John Farrish (14) Moulder, born Workington, Cumberland; Thomas Farrish (9) Scholar, born Barrow; Joseph Farrish (7) Scholar, born Barrow; David Farish (2) born Barrow.
1881 Census
The 1881 Census sees the family at 41 Barton Street, Barrow. Ellen Farish (57) Widow, Housekeeper, born Scotland, heads the family, with the other members being George N. Farish (27) Unmarried, Labourer in Foundry, born Carlisle; John Farish (23) Unmarried, Labourer in Steel Works, born Workington; Thomas Farish (18) Unmarried, Fireman in Steel Works, born Barrow; Joseph Farish (16) Labourer in Steel Works, born Barrow; and David Farish (11) Scholar, born Barrow. NB A “fireman” was probably what would now be called a stoker, putting fuel into the furnaces.
Thomas Farish married Elizabeth Griffin in Barrow in 1885 (Registrar attended). In the 1881 Census there are two families named Griffin living at 45 Hall Street, and Elizabeth Griffin (18) born Birmingham, is a sack weaver, presumably at the Jute Works.
1891 Census
Thomas Farish proved hard to find in the 1891 Census, because the family has been transcribed as Parish. He and his new family are living at 47 Keppel Street, being Thomas Farish (28) Railway Engine Driver, born Barrow; Elizabeth Farish (28) born Birmingham; Ellen Farish (5) Scholar, born Barrow; Esther Farish (3), and Elizabeth Farish (9 months).
1901 Census
In the 1901 Census the Farishes are still at 47 Keppel street, Barrow. Head is Thomas Farish (38) Locomotive Driver, born Barrow; with Elizabeth Farish (38) born Birmingham, Warwicks; Ellen Farish (15) Jute Weaver; Esther Farish (13); Elizabeth Farish (10); Bertha Farish (8) and Grace Farish (2). All the children are born in Barrow, and apart from Ellen have no recorded occupation.
1911 Census
The 1911 Census has the Farish family living at 113 Holker Street, Barrow. All of the household are born in Barrow, except Mrs. Farish, born Birmingham, Warwicks, and they are Thomas Farish (48) Locomotive Engine Driver (Steel Manufacture); Elizabeth Farish (48), to whom he has been married for 26 years, and had five children, all surviving; Ellen Farish (25) Single, Weaver (Jute Manufacture), Esther Farish (23) Teacher, Barrow in Furness Education Committee; Elizabeth Farish (20) Teacher, Barrow in Furness Education Committee; Bertha Farish (18) Teacher, Barrow in Furness Education Committee; and Grace Farish (12) School.
The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1920 has:
FARISH Thomas of 113 Holker-street Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire engine driver died 11 January 1920 Probate Lancaster 29 May to Elizabeth Farish widow. Effects £798 2s.
1939 Register
The 1939 Register has Elizabeth Farrish (sic) (DoB 17 November 1862) Unpaid Domestic Duties, living at 148 Hollow Lane, Barrow. Two of her daughters are with her: Elizabeth Farish (DoB 30 June 1890) Single, School Teacher; and Esther Moss (DoB 29 January 1888) Married, School Teacher.
No-one is certain why Edward Sankey took photographs of graves in the period 1910-1920ff. Were they advertising the skills of his friend William Hull, or later Hull and Fairbairn? Were they to be made into postcards that the bereaved family could send to members who were not able to attend the funeral?
The historic photograph is from the Sankey Family Photographic Collection, courtesy of Cumbria Archives.
