Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Thomas Elliott

Watch & Clock Maker of Middle Street

 

Thomas Elliott, known as Tom, was born in 1860 in Northfleet, Kent, the son of labourer William Elliott (b1831, Northfleet) and his wife Ellen (b1833, Southampton). In the 1871 census William and Ellen were living in Brickfield Cottages, Northfleet, with their six children (all born in Northfleet); Ellen (b1858), ten-year old Thomas, William (b1863), Elizabeth (b1865), George (b1867) and James (b1869).

By the time of the 1881 census 20-year old Tom had left home and was boarding at 9 Park Terrace, Battersea, Surrey, giving his occupation as a Watchmaker. In the summer of 1885, at Battersea, Tom married Ellen Cole of Battersea. By the spring of 1886 Tom and Ellen had moved to Yeovil where their son Thomas William (known as William) was born.

The 1891 census listed Tom, Ellen, William, baby Ernest Augustus (known as Augustus) and a domestic servant, at 109 Middle Street, immediately next door to the Castle Inn. Tom gave his occupation as "Watchmaker & Jeweller".

During the early 1890s Tom was also a Burgess of the Borough of Yeovil, although I only found one reference to his public life. This was in June 1893 when, with other Burgesses, he requested a Public Meeting to "consider in what manner the occasion of the Royal Wedding on July 6th shall be Celebrated in Yeovil." This was the wedding of Prince George, Duke of York (later King George V), and Princess Mary of Teck (later Queen Mary).

In 1898 he was listed in Whitby's Yeovil Almanack Advertiser as "Thomas Elliott, Jeweller of 8 Middle Street" - actually the same premises, but just after the re-numbering of Middle Street.
In the 1901 census the family were still at the same address but now there was a new son Albert Stanley (1893-1986, known as Stanley). There was also a lodger and a domestic servant. Tom gave his occupation as "Watch & Clock Repairer & Dealer" and 14-year old William gave his occupation as a "Watch & Clock Maker's Assistant". Whitby's Yeovil Almanack Advertiser of both 1903 and 1907 listed Tom as "Thomas Elliott, Jeweller of 8 Middle Street".

By the time of the 1911 census, and still at the same address, 50-year old Tom and 48-year old Ellen had been married for 26 years. They had actually had four children although only William, Augustus and Stanley reached adulthood. Tom gave his occupation as "Watch Maker & Jeweller (Shopkeeper)", Stanley was an Assistant Watchmaker and Augustus was a "Clerk in Office, Printing Works". William had left home by this time and had moved to Wandsworth, London, where he was working as an Assistant Jeweller.

By 1911 Tom had moved just across the street to 16 Middle Street and was listed in Kelly's Directories of both 1919 and 1935 as "Tom Elliott, Watch & Clock Maker, 16 Middle Street".
Tom Elliott died in Yeovil in the summer of 1935, aged 74. Ellen died in the summer of 1954 aged 91.

In Edwin Snell's Directory of 1954 "T Elliott, Jeweller of 16 Middle Street" was listed which I assume was Tom and Ellen's son, Thomas William.