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Note: Died aged 83
Thomas is likely to have attended one of the thirteen schools in the area which may well have been attached to one of the mills. He would have learned reading, writing and arithmetic. If he went to the parish school then Latin, Geography, Greek and French could be added to that list. All very useful to learn in 19th century Barrhead! Those that were not educated orilliterate are described in the Statistical Account as 'chiefly Irish' which probably has more to do with prejudice than fact. Nevertheless 1,000 children attended school which suggests that education was highly valued.
Can't establish what a caster is but my guess is that it was to do with some foundry of some sort.
He worked as a turnpike surfaceman. In the 1830s a new turnpike was built from Paisley to irvine following the course of the present road to Irvine. It is described as being nine miles long running the length of the parish. My guess is that it started at Cross Stobs which was probably a toll and ended at Lugton or Shillford both of which were toll stops. It is almost certain that Thomas worked on this road with its 22 bridges. It was described in the account as one of the best maintained turnpikes around. He may also have worked on the Neilston to Kilmarnock turnpike. These roads took three coaches a day and were probably reponsible for the daily post that the Neilston enjoyed in the mid 19th century.
It's interesting to note that Janet Jack's (Grandma Jack) step grandfather worked the roads in Arran as a road overseer at the same time!
Stayed with his father and sister Jane at the 1851 census. He and Mary had three children at the time, John, James and Thomas.
1861 Census Details
The property in Graham Street is described as Jack's Land which in turn suggests that the property was owned by the Jacks. A portion of the property atthe 1861 census was rented to Martin and Mary Blue who hailed from Pollokshaws. There was also Ferguson and Marion O'Neill renting as well. He was from Ireland and was a carter whilst she was from Bunessan in Argyll.
1891 Census Details
Thomas is staying with his daughter and nine year old grandson Henry who is possibly the child of Andrew and Catherine Jack.
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