William Thompson
Mayor of Oxford 1862/3
William Thompson (1811–1871) was born in St Aldate’s, Oxford on 6 February 1811 and baptised in his parish church on 10 March 1811. His parents were William Thompson, a carver and gilder of that parish, and his wife Catherine Hayes, who had been married at the Church of St Peter-le-Bailey on 6 September 1802. Their first child, Ann Hayes Thompson, was born on 25 August 1804 and baptised at St Aldate’s Church on 3 October, and they went on to baptise another six children at that church: Sara Catherine (b.26 August 1806), Eliza (b.14 January 1809), William himself, Catherine (b.29 September 1814), Elizabeth (b.14 December 1816), and Georgiana Eaton (b.8 September 1818).
Thompson’s father of the same name is listed under the "Printsellers, Carver & Gilders, & Picture Frame Makers" as trading in St Aldate’s in 1823, but by the time of the 1830 directory he also had a shop in Oxford’s High Street. Thompson himself was to join his father in his business, and eventually take it over.
In 1831, at the age of 20, Thompson was initiated as a Freemason in Alfred Lodge.
By the time of Robson’s 1839 Directory, Thompson had joined his father in his business, which was now called William Thompson & Son, and situated at 39 High Street, on the corner of Queen’s Lane (now Queen’s Lane Coffee House). They are specifically described as "Printsellers, Gilders, Picture Frame Makers & House Painters".
On 20 July 1836 Thompson, described as being of St Peter-in-the-East parish, married Ella Allin (who was born in High Wycombe c.1810) at Iffley.
They had their first three children baptised at the church of St Peter-in-the-East:
- William Allen Thompson, baptised on 24 August 1838 at St Peter-in-the-East
- Anne Ella Allen Thompson, baptised on 13 November 1839 at St Peter-in-the-East
- Walter Thompson, baptised on 21 February 1841 at St Peter-in-the-East.
In 1838 Thompson is described in the register as a carver and painter, but thereafter as a printseller.
At the time of the 1841 census, Thompson and his wife Ella (both aged 30) are at home at 39 High Street with their three young children and two female servants.
Their eldest daughter Anne Ella died on 28 February 1842 at the age of 2 years and 5 months and was buried at St Peter-in-the-East a week later: her death was announced in Jackson's Oxford Journal. Five months later Thompson and his wife had their fourth child baptised:
- Fanny Augusta, baptised on 17 June 1842 at St Peter-in-the-East.
Thompson was elected a member of the Apollo University Lodge in 1841, where he succeeded his father as Treasurer, and was appointed Worshipful Master in 1846 and Senior Grand Warden of the Province in 1849.
Thompson’s fifth and sixth children would have been born at 39 High Street:
- Horace Thompson, born c. 1843, but whose name does not appear in the baptism register of St Peter-in-the-East Church
- Edith Thompson, baptised on 21 May 1845 at St Peter-in-the-East.
In 1846, Thompson moved his business and his family moved to 59 High Street, next-door-but-one to Longwall Street, and the Manciple of St Edmund took over his former shop.
Thompson was elected a member of Oxford’s Town Council in 1847, and represented the East Ward for many years. He was also Vice-Chairman of the Board of Guardians.
Thompson seventh and eighth children would have been born at 59 High Street:
- Florence Rosa Thompson, baptised on 21 September 1848 at St Peter-in-the-East
- Ella Helena Thompson, on 14 December 1849 at St Peter-in-the-East.
At the time of the 1851 census Thompson and his wife and were inexplicably living in the vicarage at Sutton Courtenay, but he is still described as a printseller, as well as a [house] painter. Six of his children were at home with them.
The last three of Thompson's eleven children were baptised as follows:
- Herbert Montague Thompson, baptised on 5 May 1852 at St Peter-in-the-East
- Harold Thompson, baptised on 10 July 1853 at Littlemore
- Evelyn Gertrude Thompson, baptised on 24 August 1856 at St Peter-in-the-East.
Thompson was appointed Sheriff of Oxford in 1860, and in 1862 during his shrievalty the foundation stone of the new Corn Exchange was laid with Masonic forms, and he gave a large party on the occasion in the Town Hall.
The 1861 census shows Thompson at the age of 50, living with his wife in Park Town and described as a printseller and Sheriff of Oxford. Five of his children are at home: William (a medical student of 22), Walter (an articled clerk to a solicitor of 20), Horace (a printseller of 17), Harold (7), and Evelyn (4). The family has one servant.
Thompson was appointed both an Alderman and Mayor of Oxford in 1862. During his mayoralty he organized a huge bazaar in St John’s College gardens which raised £2240 for the benefit of the Radcliffe Infirmary.
Thompson retired as an Alderman in 1868, and was appointed a Justice of the Peace in March 1870.
The 1871 census shows Thompson at the age of 60, living with his wife at Thornbury Lodge in Park Town and described as a Justice of the Peace for Oxford as well as a "printseller, and house painter and decorator employing an assistant and eight artisans". Their son Walter (30), who is now an attorney at law, is living with them, as well as four of their daughters (all described as of "no occupation"): Fanny (28), Edith (26), Florence (22), and Ella (21). They have two servants.
Four months after the census, on 9 August 1871, Thompson died at his home. His funeral two days later was attended by the Mayor and Corporation in their robes of office, preceded by the Macebearer with the mace covered in black crepe, and the Rector of the City Church at Carfax. He was buried in Holywell Cemetery (Plot G.56).
Thompson's business at 59 High Street closed soon after his death: an advertisement inJackson's Oxford Journal for 5 July 1873 read: "To let, with immediate possession,—- the extensive business premises for many years in the occupation of Mr Thompson, printseller".
See also:
- Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 12 August 1871, p. 5c (obituary)
- 1841 Census: Oxford (St Peter-in-the-East), 891/16/12
- 1851 Census: Oxford (Sutton Courtenay), 1688/598
- 1861 Census: Oxford (St Giles), 892/38
- 1871 Census: Oxford (St Paul), 1436/103