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Thomas “Edwin” (“Uncle Ned”) GOTHAM
Abt 1819 - 1907 (~ 88 years)
Has 20 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.
Set As Default Person 
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Name Thomas “Edwin” (“Uncle Ned”) GOTHAM Relationship 
with Teresa Ann GOATHAM Born Abt 1819 - About 1819 from date of baptism.
When got his seaman's ticket in 1845 his date of birth was recorded as 5 June 1820; if June 5 was correct it can have been no later than 1818.
Edwin - 28 in early 1848, 20 in 1841 census (rounded down)
Baptised 3 Mar 1819 St. Saviour’s Church, Dartmouth, Devon, England 
[1] Gender Male Residence 1841 The Strand, East Teignmouth, Devon, England - At the time of the census with his half siblings William and Hannah, in the house of mariner George Davis and George's wife Mary Ann, (Edwin's first cousin). Also present were Thomas Heath, like Edwin a boatman, and Elizabeth Heath - Mary Ann's half brother and sister.
Occupation 1841 Boatman Crime 29 Feb 1848 East Teignmouth, Devon, England Larceny - Tried at the County Sessions of the assizes in 1848 and found guilty, sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour.
The Western Times of 11 Mar 1848 (p., col. 5) shows he had stolen timber from Wm. Cotton.
A large number of people were convicted for stealing at these sessions; the sentences varied from one week to 12 months in prison (all with hard labour) to being transported for 7 years. With one of the lightest sentences Edwin's crime was clearly considered a relatively minor one.
Civic Office 1865 Lifeboat crew - A newspaper obituary refers to him taking oars in the lifeboat crew in the middle years of his life, and an article at the time of a bazaar in Teignmouth in aid of the RNLI in 1865 names the then crew, including 'Edward Gotham'. There was no Edward Gotham in the area, and I'm sure this must be an error and mean Edwin.
Miscellaneous Jul 1879 Obstructing footpath - Edwin was taken to the Petty Sessions Court for obstructing the foothpath by wheeling his barrow along it.
Reported thus in the Western Times of 15 July 1879 (p.8, col. 5; image on FMP, viewed 14 May 2019)
"Teignmouth
Petty Sessions - Yesterday - Before R. M. Marsh-
Dunn and M. L. Brown, Esqs. - ...
...Edwin Gotham, a seafaring man, was sum-
cos mofor [sic] causing an obstruction b y wheeling a barrow on the
public footpath in the Strand. The defendant stated that he
had a can of oil on his barrow, and the road had been newly metalled, so he took the barrow on the path to prevent the oil
[s]pilling. The case was dismissed, but the Bench justified the
police in taking proceedings."
Residence From 1891 to 1907 6, Teign View Terrace, East Teignmouth, Devon, England - 2 rooms of no. 6 in 1891 - a laundress Jane Rice (or Price?) had the other 3 rooms.
A widower, living alone in 1901.
Also recorded as his address at the time of his death in probate calendar entry.
Witness 1893 The Police Court, Teignmouth, Devon, England Gave evidence re Teignmouth and Shaldon Ferry area - Edwin was one of four people, the others being Arthur Owen, JOhn Owen and Richard Wareham, who gave evidence as to the various points where the ferry boat had landed passengers since the year 1824.
This was in a case where a fisherman, George Harris, took 1d for conveying one Charles Alfred Pearse (of Plymouth) across the Teign. The bridge that had been erected was then a toll bridge, and it was argued that an act meant that "... after the bridge had been completed any persons conveying persons across the rover on hire, within the limits of the ferry, otherwise than by the bridge, should be liable to a penalty of 40s." The case had already been to the Court of Quarter Sessions, and an appeal in that Court had decided that "before a conviction could be sustained the limits of the ferry must be defined, and the prosecution had failed to do this. It was necessary to prove that the defendant went across the ferry within the limits of the ferry of 1824, and the only evidence called to establish the fact was a few old men who said they remembered about the time the boats used to land at the Point." The 'old men's' memory of what had happened some 68 years before was evidently not trusted. The case was dismissed, Mr. Fotte, barrister of the Western Circuit, appearing for the prosecution, said he would appeal.
One can understand the concern of the bridge company; the reason for the act was due to their responsibility to maintain the bridge, and therefore to receive tolls from those wishing to cross the river in the vicinity.
Occupation 1901 Boatman Seas - Seamans ticket issued in 1845 shows he first went to sea in 1840.
Will 22 Oct 1906 Written Died 25 Apr 1907 6, Teign View Terrace, East Teignmouth, Devon, England [2] Cause: Senectus - GRO ref: Gotham, Thomas Edwin aged 95 Newton A. RD 5b 74
Actual date and place from probate calendar entry.
Amazingly "Uncle Ned's" death was reported not just in local papers but as far away as Hull, on the front page -
(from The Daily Mail Hull Packet and East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Courier, Monday April 29, 1907, p.1, col. 7)
"By the death of Mr E. Gotham, Teignmouth has lost its oldest boatman, who had a remarkably interesting career. "Uncle Daddy," as he was familiarly called, was 95 years of age."
(though as he seems to have been really aged 88 and not 95, was he really the oldest, and would his death have been so reported if that had been known?)
Obituary 27 Apr 1907 - From 'The Western Times', Saturday 27 April 1907, p. 3, col. 5:
"A Teignmouth Celebrity
Death of Gotham the Nonagenarian Boatman
The death was reported yesterday morning
of Mr. Gotham, a Teignmouth boatman, who
had passed his 90th birthday.
Gotham, or Uncle Ned, as he was called,
was quite a local celebrity. When a younger
man he had few equals as an oarsman.
Long before the South Devon railway was
cut between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot,
market people had to travel by road or boat,
and the latter, the "market boat," was under
the control of Mrs. Mary Heath, and was
often rowed by Ned Gotham, then a tall lad.
Later Gotham obtained a livelihood by fish-
ing, and as years went by he became quite a
popular character, and there were few visitors
to the town who did not manage to make the
acquaintance of the old gentleman before they
went away. Ned was every read to chat,
and could tell a good story. Gotham was at
one time a member of the lifeboat crew. He
was a hale and hearty old fellow, and with
Bill Hook, another Teignmouth worthy, took
part in a sculling race at last year's regatta."
From 'Lincolnshire Echo', Monday 29 April 1907, p. 2, col. 3:
"By the death of Mr. E. Gotham, Teignmouth
has lost its oldest boatman, who had a remark-
ably interesting career. "Uncle Daddy," as
he was familiarly called, was 95 years of age,
and before the South Devon line was cut a
market boat plied between Teignmouth and
Newton Abbot, and Gotham helped to row it
to and fro with his aunt, Mrs. May [sic] Heath.
As he grew older he took to fishing and boat-
ing, and finally became a boat owner. He was
a member of the lifeboat crew when in his
middle age. At the age of 84 he bought a
15-foot skiff at Plymouth, and, rather than have
it sent by train, he rowed it up to Teignmouth,
and as recently as 18 months ago, he partici-
pated in a two-oared boat race at the Wate[r]man's
Regatta. Up to last year he was hale and
hearty."
From 'Nottinghamshire Evening Post', Monday 29 April 1907, p. 3, col. 1:
"Famous Lifeboat Heroes Dead.
By the death of Mr. E. Gotham, Teignmouth
has lost its oldest boatman, who had a remarkably
interesting career. "Uncle Daddy," as he was
familiarly called, was 95 years of age, and before
the South Devon line was cut a market boat plied
between Teignmouth and Newton Abbot, and
Gotham helped to row it to and fro with his aunt,
Mrs. May [sic] Heath.
He was a member of the lifeboat crew when in
his middle age. At the age of 84 he bought a
15-foot skiff at Plymouth, and, rather than have
it sent by train, he rowed it up to Teignmouth, and
as recently as 18 months ago, he participated in
a two-oared boat race at the Waterman's Regatta.
Up to last year he was hale and hearty.
Appledore, another Devonshire seaport, has also
lost by death one of its veteran boatmen, in the
person of Joseph Cox, who was 80 years of age,
and who had played an important part in the
rescue of human life from shipwreck. For years
he was coxswain of he lifeboat crew at Appledore,
and had assisted in saving nearly 100 lives."
Also known as Edwin GOTHAM Buried 27 Apr 1907 St. Michael the Archangel’s Church, East Teignmouth, Devon, England [3] - Amongst the Teignmouth news in the Western Times of 30 Apr 1907 was the following (page 2, col. 6):
" "Uncle Ned" Gotham was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon at the Cemetery. It was his desire that the interment should be plain and quiet, and his wish was carried out. Boatmen and fishermen attended as a last token of respect."
And in The Devon and Exeter Gazette, of Monday, April 29, 1907 (p.3, col. 2)
"Mr. Edward Gotham, locally known as "Uncle Ned" and "Uncle Daddy," was buried at Teignmouth Cemetery on Saturday. He had reached the age of 95 years."
Probate 14 May 1907 Principal Registry, London, England Calendar entry - "Gotham Thomas Edward of Teign View-terrance Teignmouth Devonshire died 25 April 1907 Probate London to Susan Hexter (wife of James Hexter) Effects £255 2s."
Child Status Illegitimate (no sign of parental relationship) Half-siblings1 half sister (family of [ - ? - ] and Patience GOTHAM) Half-siblings1 half brother and 3 half sisters (family of Joseph HURRELL and Patience GOTHAM) Patriarch & Matriarch 
Elizabeth, b. Est 1724, d. Yes, date unknown (Great Grandmother)
Person ID I300026 All | All in the Goatham / Gotham One-Name Study , All subjects of the Goatham / Gotham One-Name Study Last Modified 20 Aug 2024
Mother Patience GOTHAM, b. 2 Jul 1793, bur. 7 Jun 1833, St. James’ Church, West Teignmouth, Devon, England (Age ~ 39 years)
Other Partners: [ - ? - ]; John Angel RIDDELS m. 1815; Joseph HURRELL m. 1 Nov 1824Married? Not married or evidence to suggest they didn't marry Family ID F300005 Family Group Page | Family Chart
Family Mary Elizabeth GALE, b. Abt 1819, East Teignmouth, Devon, England , d. 20 Oct 1892, 6, Teign View Terrace, East Teignmouth, Devon, England (Age ~ 73 years) Banns of marriage Between 31 Oct 1847 and 14 Nov 1847 St. Michael the Archangel’s Church, East Teignmouth, Devon, England [4] Married 12 Dec 1847 St. Michael the Archangel’s Church, East Teignmouth, Devon, England [5, 6] - I am sure that Thomas Edwin was not being truthful when he gave a name and occupation for his father. Although there were many Thomas GOTHAMs, the middle name is distinctive. In addition, although he was baptised in Dartmouth his mother clearly returned to Teignmouth so it is natural he should too.
Had he given a more plausible occupation for his father one might pause a little before deciding there was only one Thomas Edwin, but the 'gentleman' shows this to be untrue. (It is possible he was the illegitimate son of a gentleman, but not one called Thomas GOTHAM).
GRO ref: Gotham, Thomas Edwin to Gale, Mary Elizabeth q4 1847 Newton Abbot RD 10 231
Last Modified 29 Mar 2023 Family ID F300025 Family Group Page | Family Chart
- About 1819 from date of baptism.
-
Sources - [S349] Devon Parish Registers - Dartmouth, St Saviours, St. Saviours (Dartmouth, Devon, England), (brightsolid online publishing limited. FindMyPast. findmypast.co.uk : 2014.), Baptism of Thomas Edwin GOTHAM; accessed 6 Sep 2014 (Reliability: 3).
"March 3 No. 453. Thomas Edwin base Son of Patience Gotham, abode: St Saviours, Quality etc.: Spinster, ceremony performed by: R Holdsworth" (on p.57, under heading 'Baptisms ... St Saviour's ... 1819')
Archive reference: 2992A/PR/1/4 - [S336] FreeBMD, FreeBMD, (( http://www.freebmd.org.uk/ )), accessed 6 Sep 2014), Death of Thomas Edwin GOTHAM. (Reliability: 3).
GRO ref: Gotham, Thomas Edwin, aged 95, q2 1907 Newton Abbot RD, 5b 74 - [S337] Devon Parish Registers - East Teignmouth, St. Michael (East Teignmouth, Devon, England), (brightsolid online publishing limited. FindMyPast. findmypast.co.uk : 2014.), Burial of Thomas Edwin GOTHAM; accessed 6 Sep 2014 (Reliability: 3).
"Thomas Edwin Gotham No. 747, abode: 6. Teign View Terrace East Teignmouth, buried: April 27th. 1907., age: 95 years, ceremony performed by: James Veysey. Vicar." (under heading 'Burials ... East Teignmouth ... 1907')
Archive reference: 3231A/PR/1/22 - [S335] Devon Parish Registers - West Teignmouth, St. James (West Teignmouth, Devon, England), (brightsolid online publishing limited. FindMyPast. findmypast.co.uk : 2014.), Banns of Marriage of Thomas Edwin GOTHAM to Mary Elizabeth GALE; accessed 6 Sep 2014 (Reliability: 3).
"[No. 157] Banns of Marriage between
Thomas Edwin Gotham Bachelor
and Mary Elizabeth Gale Spinster
Both of this Parish
1st Time, Sunday, Octr 31st by R B Bradley
2nd Time, Sunday, Nov 7th by G R Gracey
3rd Time, Sunday, 14th by R B Bradley
Married Decr 12th 1847"
(on page 79, under heading 'The Year 1847')
Archive reference: 3231A/PR/1/14 - [S336] FreeBMD, FreeBMD, (( http://www.freebmd.org.uk/ )), accessed 6 Sep 2014), Marriage of Thomas Edwin GOTHAM to Mary Elizabeth GALE. (Reliability: 3).
GRO ref: Gotham, Thomas Edwin to GALE, Mary Elizabeth q4 1847 Newton Abbot RD 10 231 - [S337] Devon Parish Registers - East Teignmouth, St. Michael (East Teignmouth, Devon, England), (brightsolid online publishing limited. FindMyPast. findmypast.co.uk : 2014.), Marriage of Thomas Edwin GOTHAM to Mary Elizabeth GALE; accessed 6 Sep 2014 (Reliability: 3).
"1847. Marriage solemnized by Banns in the Parish of East Teignmouth in the County of Devon
No. 108, Decr. 12th. Thomas Edwin Gotham, age: full, Bachelor, Mariner, residence: East Teignmouth, Father's Name: Thomas Gotham, Rank etc.: Gentleman
Mary Elizabeth Gale, age: full, Spinster, Servant, residence: East Teignmouth, Father's name: William Gale, Tailor
Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by me, R B Bradley
This Marriage was solemnized between us, Thomas Edwin Gotham, Mary Elizabeth Gale
in the Presence of us, Stephen Matterface, The mark of X Robert Wannell"
(on page 54)
Archive reference: 3231A/PR/1/8
- [S349] Devon Parish Registers - Dartmouth, St Saviours, St. Saviours (Dartmouth, Devon, England), (brightsolid online publishing limited. FindMyPast. findmypast.co.uk : 2014.), Baptism of Thomas Edwin GOTHAM; accessed 6 Sep 2014 (Reliability: 3).