Thomas James son of James Akehurst of Heathfield, labourer,and Alice [sic] 2
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At the time of the 1861 England Census Thomas J Akehurst, age 11, born in Heathfield Sussex, scholar, was with his parents Swithe, Heathfield Sussex.
At the time of the 1871 England Census Thomas Akehurst, age 20, born in Heathfield Sussex, unmarried, farm servant - carter, was in Buckwell Dallington Sussex.
At the time of the 1881 England Census Thomas J Akehurst, age 30, born in Heathfield Sussex, ag lab, and wife Elizabeth, age 30, born in Salehurst Sussex, were living in Hutchings Lane, Burwash Sussex. With them were children: Caroline A (7) of Heathfield, Thomas J (5) of Burwash, and Mary A (1) of Burwash.
At the time of the 1891 England Census Thomas J Akehurst, age 40, born in Heathfield Sussex, agricultural laborer, and wife Elizabeth, age 40, born in Salehurst Sussex, were living in Quay Lane Cottage, Burwash Sussex. Present were children: Caroline A (17) of Heathfield, Thomas J (15) of Burwash, agricultural laborer, Mary A (11) of Burwash, scholar, William E (9) of Burwash, scholar, Annie E (6) of Heathfield, Alfred E (3) of Mountfield, Albert H (1) of Mountfield.
At the time of the 1901 England Census Thomas Akehurst, age 50, born in Heathfield Sussex, laborer on farm, and wife Elizabeth, age 50, born in Robertsbridge Sussex, were living in Hammerden Cottage, Ticehurst Sussex. With them were children: Ann (16) of Heathfield, Alfred (13) of Battle, Albert (11) of Brightling, and grandson Charles Akehurst* (8) of Heathfield.
* Note, however, that in the 1911 Census, when Charles Akehurst of Heathfield was aged 18, he was called 'brother' by his sister Mary (then married to George Hyland). In other words, Charles may very well have been the youngest child of Thomas Akehurst and Elizabeth.
At the time of the 1911 England Census Thomas Akehurst, age 56 [sic], born in Heathfield Sussex, widower, carter on farm, was boarding with [his sister] Florence Holmes and her family in Uglets Cottage, Heathfield Sussex.
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Thomas James Akehurst of Ghyll Road Waldron died aged 84 years (burial record).
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HEATHFIELD OCTOGENERIAN
THE LATE MR. T. AKEHURST
On Saturday the death took place of Mr. Thomas Akehurst, of Council Cottages, Ghyll-road, Heathfield. Mr. Akehurst, who was a widower, leaves a grown-up family. He was 84 years of age. Up to his illness a few days before his death, he had worked for many years at the Heathfield Tower Nurseries.
The funeral was at the Heathfield Parish Church on Tuesday, the Rev. H. Grahame Clarke (vicar) officiating.
In addition to the family mourners there were Messrs. G. Bean and W. Bean, the deceased's employers. Two fellow employees, Messrs. J. Cornford and W. Axell, assisted in carrying the remains to the grave....
Sussex Agricultural Express, 31 May 1935, p. 10
Research Notes: