DEATH OF COUNCILLOR THOMPSON

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Councillor James Thompson, which occurred at his residence, Monk’s Croft, Barrow, on Monday at a quarter past six o’clock, at the age of 61 years.  The deceased gentleman, who has been (in) indifferent health for some years, was reported to be in a critical condition on Monday morning, when his medical attendants, Drs. Sinclair and Murray, were called in, but he passed away at night in the presence of most of his family.  Mr. Thompson, who was born in Overton, came to Barrow early in the seventies, having purchased the Welcome Hotel, Church-street, where he lived for some time.  He subsequently built and purchased several other hotels in the town and district.  He was a partner in the firm of Gardner, Thompson and Cardwell, and was a director of that firm up to the time of his death.  He contested Hindpool Ward in 1875 or 1876 against the late Mr. Joseph Hartley, and was unsuccessful, but was elected one of the representatives of Central Ward in 1877, and retained his seat, with the break of a year or two, until his death.  He was also for over 20 years a member of the Board of Guardians, and not only took a great interest in the administration of the Poor Law, but was ever generous to the poor.  He was one of the founders of the Barrow Licensed Victuallers Association, and took much interest in the affairs of the trade.  He was a Freemason, and was a member of the Hartington Lodge, at Barrow, and of the Townley Parker Lodge at Whittle Springs.  He was also an honorary member of several Friendly Societies.  He was a liberal supporter of local charities, and was withal of a most benevolent disposition.  Recently he gave a new organ to St. Paul’s Church, Barrow.  His business career was a most successful one.  He leaves a widow and a family of four sons and four daughters for whom the deepest sympathy is felt.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place at noon on Tuesday, and was probably the largest attended funeral ever known in Barrow.  The cortege left the house about 12 o’clock for St. Paul’s Church.  The body was encased in three coffins, one of pitch pine, one of lead, and the outer one of English oak, heavily xxxxxx, and bearing the inscription: - “James Thompson, born August 18th, 1840; [NB This is likely to be an error: if he’d died on his birthday he’d have been 62.] died August 18th 1902, aged 61 years,” was literally covered with wreaths, as was also the top of the hearse, whilst the deceased’s private carriage followed carrying a large number of wreaths which could not find a place on the hearse.  The chief mourners were:- Mrs J. Thompson (widow), Mr. Wm. Thompson, Mr. Robt. Thompson, Mr. James Thompson, and Mr. George Thompson (sons), Mrs. Card, Miss F. Thompson, Mrs. Coward and Miss Bridget Thompson (daughters), Mrs. Wm. Thompson, and Mrs. Robt. Thompson (daughters-in-law), Mrs. Wm. Thompson (Lancaster); Mr. and Mrs Birkett, Middleton; Messrs. J and G. Postlethwaite, Lancaster; Mrs. Postlethwaite, Greenodd; Mr. Frank Taylor, Mr. James Granville(?), (secretary), Messrs. W.R. and A.J. Parkinson (auditors) and Mr. S.E. Major. Solicitor to Messrs. Jas. Thompson and Co., Ltd.; Mr. J. Bickerstaff, Liverpool; Mr. R. Fletcher, Mr. Frankland, Mr. J.R. Cardwell, and Mr. H.E. Thwaites (directors of Whittle Springs Brewery, Ltd.); Dr. and Mrs. Sinclair, Mr. and Mrs. H. Bagot, and a large number of employees.

I have included the full list of attendees and wreath-givers to emphasise how significant Mr. Thompson was, as reinforced by his prominent position in the cemetery. - RMW

                The Mayor and Corporation were represented by the Mayor (Councillor Smith), Alderman Townson, Alderman Lee, Alderman Huartson, Councillors Cox, Barrow, Townsend, Hardy, Brown, Mawson, Young, Fisher, Stoker, Taylor, Neal, Peacock, Heath, and Mr. J. Gunson, borough treasurer, Mr. Ferguson, general water manager, Mr. Stables, Mr. Waite, Capt. Folt(?), and Mr. Chadwick (representing the Town Clerk).

                The procession which preceded the hearse, was in the following order:- Representatives of the Conservative Club, representatives of the licensed victuallers, Freemasons, Corporation officials, Councillors, Aldermen and the Mayor.  The carriers were employees of the deceased, and they walked on each side of the hearse.  The chief mourners followed, then the employees and friends.  Amongst the latter were Col. Strongitharm, Col. Williams; Messrs. W. Page, G. Brown, M. Haslam, W. Cockcroft, Ledgerwood, Charles, H. Perry, J. Butler, W. Happold, W. Ramsay, H. Lowden, T. Steel, J. Smith, R. Benson, W. Wilkins, J. Wilkins, W. Newgreen, R. Scott, Morgan, R.W. Wofrall(?), S.S. Lord, G. Bigg, H. Tyson, James Tyson, G. Stone, J.J. Waddington, J. Warbrick, C. Eccles, W. Saddler, T. Slee, H. Lange, S. Grundy, G. Woodburne, R. Ormandy, Dowson, Blezard (Penny Bridge), Burns (Pennybridge), T. Noblett, J. Newby, J. Moon, S. Whitehead, Jas. Hodgson, J. Brennan, W. Freeman, and others.  Amongst the private carriages were those of the Mayor, Mr. Councillor H. Cook, Mr. W. Postlethwaite, and the Association Football Club, which was represented by Messrs. Fletcher, Hind, and Gillespie.  The Ancient Order of Foresters were represented by the Barrow Executive Council and by the officers of Court Schneider.  The burial service was reverently read in the church by the Vicar (the Rev. W. Berry) and the Rev. G. K. Meaby(?).  Subsequently the cortege proceeded to the grave side, where the coffin was lowered into the family vault, beautifully situated in the Protestant portion of the cemetery.  The concluding sentences and prayers in the funeral service were said by the officiating clergymen.  The scene at the graveside was very affecting.

                Mr. Barrow had charge of the funeral arrangements, the coffins being supplied by Messrs. W. Ormandy and Sons.

                Wreaths were sent by the following:- Mrs. Thompson (Monks Croft), Mr. and Mrs. Card (Sidcup), Mr. and Mrs. Coward (Colt Park), Mr. and Mrs. R. Thompson (Abbey-road), Miss Thompson (Monks Croft), Miss B. Thompson (Monks Croft), Mr. James and George Thompson (Monks Croft), Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Thompson (Tadcaster, near Leeds), grand children, the coachmen and gardeners, and Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. Burns and Maids of Monks Croft, Mr. and Mrs. Ashburner (Welcome Hotel), Mr. and Mrs. Kimberley, Mr. and Miss Shuttleworth, Mr. and Mrs. Poole (Church-street), Mr. and Mrs. Wallace (Black Bull Hotel, Dalton), employees of the Sun Hotel (Barrow), the Stores Employees, Exors. of J. Woodburn (The Gill, Ulverston), Baines, Ltd. (Tadcaster Brewery, Leeds), the Furness Funeral Society, Dr. and Mrs. Sinclair (Hartington-street), barmen of the Queen’s Hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Oakes (Queen’s Hotel), Master and Brethren of the Hartington Lodge, Mr. and Mrs. Townson and family (Abbotsfield), Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay and family (Oak Royde), Mrs. Denney and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Barrow (50, East Mount), Mr. and Mrs. S. Rigby (Wellington Hotel, Dalton), Mr. Rigby (Barrow), Mr. and Mrs. Granville (25, Hartington-street), Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls (Railway Hotel, Askam), Gradwell and Company (Barrow), Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Preston (East Mount), Conservative Club (Abbey-road), Mr. and Mrs. W. Dawson (East Mount), Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lowden and family (Risedale Cross), Mr. Oscar Huartson, Working Men’s Club, Mrs. Wm Thompson, Messrs. W.R. and Arthur Parkinson, Women’s Funeral Society (Queen’s Hotel), Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher and staff (Furness Hotel), manager and staff of the Victoria Hotel, Mrs. Twiss (Duke of Edinburgh Hotel), Mr. and Mrs. Cockcroft (Mason’s Arms), Mullincane, Gardener and Co. (Liverpool), Mr. J. Bickerstaff (Fairfield, Liverpool), Mr. and Mrs. Bagot (Storey Square), Mr. A.P. Hooper and family, Mr. and Mrs. Carradus (Crow Nest Hotel), Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Thompson, Mr. J. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Birkett, Mrs. Ward and family (Chetwynde), staff of Royal Hotel, Mrs. Walker (Sun Hotel, Ulverston), Miss. Breach (Steyning?)

FANNY THOMPSON

Barrow News 30 September 1911 reported on the death of Mrs. Thompson:

DEATH OF MRS. THOMPSON

We deeply regret to learn that Mrs. Thompson, widow of the late Mr. James Thompson, passed away at her residence, Monk’s Croft, Abbey-road, on Wednesday.  The deceased lady had been ailing on and off for some time, but her death, which will occasion great surprise to many, will evoke feelings of sympathy and condolence with the bereaved family.  Mrs. Thompson had attained an advanced age. (67!!!! RMW) She was the widow of Mr. James Thompson, who was a prominent member of the licensing trade in Barrow and for many years served on the Barrow Town Council.

When Fanny Bagot died aged 36 her death notice in the Barrow News 28 March 1914 indicated that she had moved to 40 Hawcoat Lane.