Thomas Forster / Foster was born on 11 July 1827 in Preston, North Shields, Northumberland. He was the son of Robert Forster (1785-1831) and Catherine Aynsley (1790-1830). His mother Catherine died in childbirth with her sixth child Nicholas who also died.
Christ Church Tynemouth
Sadly a year later, his father Robert (also the son of a mariner) also died in June 1831 at Preston, so by the time he was three years old, Thomas had lost both parents.
His father Robert died in Preston aged 46 in June 1831 and his . They are both buried at Christchurch Tynemouth.
Thomas was baptised on 5 August 1827 at Christ Church, Tynemouth. His father’s occupation is given as a mariner.
The four boys of the family all went to sea as apprentices in the Merchant Navy –
- George Aynesley Forster 1819-1863 – apprenticed 1836 “William Henry”
- Robert Forster 1821-1881 – apprenticed 1837 “Baltic Merchant”, master of the ship “Miaza” in 1870 from Sunderland.
- William Forster 1824-1892 – apprenticed 1842 “Green P”
- Thomas Forster 1827-1883 – apprenticed 1838 “Fair Ella”
Perhaps his lack of parents explains why he was apprenticed to sea aboard the ship “Fair Ella” for a term of 7 years at the age of only eleven years old in 1838.
Thomas Forster b 1827 UK Apprentices Indentured Merchant Navy
On his Registered Ticket in 1845 he was described as 5ft 6, light hair, blue eyes and fair complexion with a scar on his forehead.
Thomas Forster, Merchant Seaman Registered Ticket
In the 1841 census, Thomas aged 13 and his brothers Robert aged 20 a mariner, and William aged 16 are living with Jane Johnson aged 70 in Spring Terrace, Preston, North Shields.
From 1845 to 1851 Thomas sailed the high seas, on various voyages as shown by the numerical references on his navy file.
Barbara Foster nee Cole
On 26 February 1852, Thomas, aged 24, married 29 year old Barbara Cole just across the Tyne River in Wallsend, Northumberland, only 5 miles away.
Barbara was the daughter of Richard Cole (1780-1839) a coalmine pitman, and Mary Wilson (1783-1832).
She was born in 1823 in Backworth, and baptised on 19 October 1823 at St Alban’s, Earsdon, Northumberland.
Barbara was sent out to work as a domestic servant at an early age, and in the 1841 census of Tynemouth can be found aged about 15 working for Mr Thomas Gibson a sailmaker in Bedford Street.
1851 census she can be found aged 25 in Preston, Tynemouth with the Dryden family working for Mr Phillip Dryden a ship owner.
Thomas and Barbara had eight children, so it appears Thomas came home fairly often!
- 1852 Robert b Preston, North Shields, d 1873 Seaham
- 1854 Mary b Preston, North Shields, d 1946 Seaham marr Timothy Dyer
- 1856 Thomas b Preston, North Shields, married Isabella Foster
- 1857 Charles b Seaham, d 1924 Easington marr Barbara Dixon & Margaret Wiggins
- 1859 Ann b Seaham, d 1941 West Hartpool, married Joseph Guy & Henry Jarvis
- 1861 Jane b Seaham, d 1925 Warrenby married Joseph Wallace
- 1864 George b Seaham d 1945 Seaham married Elizabeth Cuthbert
- 1868 Barbara b 1868 Seaham d 1953 Poplar married Alfred Webb
In 1861 Thomas is living in Blanford Place, Dawdon, South Shields, aged 33 with wife Barbara and he is now a master mariner. Living with him are his children Robert, Mary, Thomas, Charles, Ann and Jane.
In 1871 Barbara is living at 7 Green Street, Dawdon, by herself with the children – Robert, Mary, Thomas, Charles, Ann, Jane, George and Barbara. Thomas’s brother Robert is serving on the ship ‘Miazan’, but his Thomas is not with him. I have been unable to find him in 1871.
near 7 Green Street Dawdon Seaham Harbour Durham
In 1881 Thomas is serving on a ship – the Norval – with his widowed brother Robert Forster aged 60, master mariner, his son Thomas, cook and seaman, and his brother in law (sister Mary’s husband) Timothy Dyer, seaman. His brother Robert is the Sailing master.
1881 census of the ship “Norval”
Thomas passed away on 20 January 1883 at Dawdon, Seaham aged 55 of kidney failure (renal disease). His son Charles was with him.
Barbara went on to live for another 39 years. In the 1881 census she is living at 6 South Railway Street, Dawdon, occupation mariners wife. With her in the house are her children Charles 23, Annie 23, George 16, Barbara 15 and Hannah aged one (daughter of Charles). Charles wife Barbara had died (possibly in childbirth with Hannah).
Barbara Foster, daughter Mary Catherine Foster, grand daughter Ann Eliza Dyer, Mary French, Gwen Wallace
Ten years later in 1891 Barbara is now living at 3 Adelaide Row in Dawdon, aged 67, with four of her grandchildren – Ann Dyer a nurse & Robert Dyer 9, George Dyer 6 (by daughter Mary), Charles Forster 8 (son Thomas’s child).
In the 1901 census 77 year old Barbara is living at 27 Frances Street Dawdon with just one granddaughter – Nellie Dyer aged 17 – her daughter Mary’s daughter Barbara Ellen.
In 1911 Barbara is now living on her own, still at 27 Frances Street Dawdon, aged 87, a widow, on old age government pension. Her property is described as a one room tenement. She states she has eight children, 7 alive and 1 deceased.
17 Marlborough Street Dawdon Seaham Harbour Durham England beside St Johns
Barbara lived for another good few years, finally passing away on 5th August 1922 aged 98 years at her home at 17 Marlborough Street, Dawdon.
Her death certificate states she is the widow of Thomas Foster, master mariner of the merchant services.
Her son George R Foster of 20 Longnewton Street, Dawdon was present at her death and was the informant.
Barbara and Thomas are both buried in the St Johns Seaham cemetery.
Barbara Foster, Mary Foster, Ann Dyer, Baby Mary French, born 1900
