Thomas Webster was the sixth known child of John Webster & Elizabeth Compton Hearne born February 8th, 1811 & christened April 7th, 1811 at Burnham, Bucks.
Thomas went to Australia with his brother John Hearne Webster in 1839 & farmed in Victoria until the mid-1850s before returning to the UK to farm at Sheepcot Farm, Hitcham.
Thomas married Eliza Gray & in 1861 they were living at Sheepcot Farm, Hitcham, where Thomas was farmer of 466 acres, employing 10 men & 5 boys. Eliza was born c1813 in Ayr, Scotland & she & Thomas had a son Thomas Gray (3).
In 1871 they were still living at Sheepcot Farm & employing 7 men & 4 boys. Their son Thomas was a pupil at Marlow Place, Great Marlow, Bucks.
Eliza died aged 58 on January 8th, 1872 at Sheepcot Farm, & was buried at St Peter’s, Burnham.
The children of Thomas Webster & Eliza Gray were:
we.10.1 Thomas Gray Webster born August 11th, 1857 at Ayr, Scotland; died November 30th, 1886 at Picton House, Wellington Square, North Adelaide, Australia
The Reading Mercury revealed that Thomas was retiring from farming in July 1872 when he was selling his stock from Sheepcot Farm.
Thomas remarried on June 5th, 1873 at St-Martin-in-the Fields, Westminster, London. Witnesses at the wedding were William Skindle & Elizabeth Skindle. His second wife was Mary Cripps, widow of William James Cripps (died 1870). Mary was born June 27th, 1820 at Taplow & christened July 23rd, 1820 at Cookham, Berks. She was the daughter of William & Mary Skindle.
In 1881 Thomas and Mary, were living at Clifford House, Blackwater Rd, Eastbourne & Thomas was now retired. Mary’s sister Louisa Skindle was visiting them at the time of the census, as was Thomas’s niece Sophia Style, daughter of his sister Sophia Webster & Robert Style.
In 1891 Thomas & Mary were still at Blackwater Rd, but living at ‘Benalla’. With them again was Louisa Skindle & there were 2 servants.
Thomas died, aged 84, on February 1st, 1896 at Benalla, Blackwater Rd, Eastbourne. Probate of Thomas’ estate was granted on Mach 4th, 1896 to nephews Richard & John Webster, gentlemen (children of Thomas’ brother Richard [we.9]). His effects were £14,427.19s.
In 1925 John Webster of Tatton House, was an executor of shares in the Great Western Railway which were transferred to him from Thomas Webster.
Shortly after Thomas’ death Mary died after a painful illness, aged 75, on March 8th, 1896 at Benalla, Eastbourne. Probate was granted on April 8th, 1896 to Thomas’ nephews, Richard & John Webster. Her effects were £6,606.17s.