Thomas (known as Tom) was born on 5 May, 1854 at Horse Street in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England^a1, the son of Philip Sweetland (1829–1898)★, a labourer, and Sarah Elizabeth Eyers (1820–1897)★, a servant. He was baptised as an infant on 6 Aug, 1854 in the parish of Lyme Regis in Dorset, England^b1. He is Ian's great great grandfather.

Thomas was recorded in the 1861 census at Church Street in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England^c1 with his father Philip, now a stone labourer, mother Sarah Elizabeth and three siblings George Bartholemew, Susan Priscilla and Frances Mary.

He married Emma Jane Blackborough (1870–1928)★ on 14 Jul, 1891 at The Register Office in Poplar, Middlesex, England^a2 and went on to have four children with her:–

• Ethel★ baptised on 3 May, 1894 in the parish of St. Mark Victoria Park in Middlesex, England^d1. Married Arthur Guiver★ in 1918 at The Register Office in West Ham, Essex, England^a3 and Herbert John Woodward in 1941 at The Register Office in Southend on Sea, Essex, England^a4. Died on 26 Jan, 1987 at Fairview House in Fairview Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England at the age of ninety-two.
• Phillip Thomas baptised on 2 Dec, 1897 in St. Mark Victoria Park^d2. Married Elizabeth Ann Stokes in the Oct-Dec quarter of 1921 in the registration district of West Ham in Essex, England^e1. Died in the Apr-Jun quarter of 1993 in the registration district of Abingdon in Oxfordshire, England^e2 at the age of ninety-six.
• Violet Martha baptised on 27 Jan, 1901 at St. Mary's Church in Plaistow, Essex, England^f1. Married Albert Edward Wager on 8 Feb, 1920 at St. Luke's Church in Victoria Docks St. Luke, Essex, England^g1. Died on 11 Dec, 1969 in the registration district of Brentwood in Essex, England^e3 at the age of sixty-nine.
• one other child living or recently died

In the 1901 census he was living at 42 Malmesbury Road in West Ham St. Gabriel, West Ham, Essex, England^h1 with his wife Emma Jane and three children Ethel, Phillip Thomas and Violet Martha.

Thomas was recorded in the 1921 census at 41 Vincent Street in Canning Town, West Ham, Essex, England with his two children Ethel, a factory hand and (person born in the 1900s).

He married (living or recently deceased person) before 1927.

Thomas died at the age of seventy-two on 6 Mar, 1927 at Central Home in Leytonstone, Essex, England. His death was attributed to bronchitis.

Timeline

1854

5 May

Born at Horse Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, England. The informant was his mother Sarah Elizabeth Eyers (1820–1897)★.^a1

6 Aug

Baptised as an infant in Lyme Regis, Dorset, England.^b1

1861

7 Apr

Recorded in the 1861 census living at Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset.^c1

1874

Occupation recorded as seaman aboard the Elizabeth Hampton.^k1

31 Oct

Occupation recorded as seaman aboard the Challenger.^k1

1891

14 Jul

Married Emma Jane Blackborough★ at The Register Office, Poplar, Middlesex.^a2
Recorded as residing at 32 Monier Road, St. Mark Victoria Park, Middlesex.^a2
Occupation recorded as merchant seaman.^a2

1894

16 Apr

Daughter, Ethel Sweetland (1894–1987)★, born at 73 Usher Road, Poplar, Middlesex, England.^a5,d1

3 May

Recorded as living at 73 Usher Road, Poplar.^d1
Occupation recorded as sailor.^d1

17 May

Occupation recorded as seaman.^a5

1897

16 Nov

Son, Phillip Thomas Sweetland (1897–1993), born at 33 Rippoth Street, Stratford Bow St. Mary, Middlesex, England.^a6
Occupation recorded as merchant seaman.^a6

2 Dec

Recorded as residing at 33 Rippoth Street, Stratford Bow St. Mary.
Occupation recorded as sailor.^d2

1900

6 Sep

Daughter, Violet Martha Sweetland (1900–1969), born in Plaistow, Essex, England.^f1,a7
Occupation recorded as dock labourer.^a7

1901

27 Jan

Recorded as residing at 28 Florence Road, Plaistow, Essex.^f1
Occupation recorded as labourer.^f1

31 Mar

Recorded in the 1901 census living at 42 Malmesbury Road, West Ham St. Gabriel, Essex.^h1
Occupation recorded as dock labourer.^h1

1905

13 Jul

Occupation recorded as dock labourer.

28 Jul

Occupation recorded as dock labourer.
Recorded as residing at 4 Sabberton Street, West Ham, Essex.

1918

21 Jan

Occupation recorded as dock labourer.^a3

1920

8 Feb

Occupation recorded as dock labourer.^g1

1921

19 Jun

Recorded in the 1921 census residing at 41 Vincent Street, West Ham, Essex.
Occupation recorded as winch end man on grain at Victoria Docks, West Ham, Essex.

1927

6 Mar

Died at the age of seventy-two at Central Home, Leytonstone, Essex, England. The informant was his daughter Ethel.
Recorded as residing at 41 Vincent Street, West Ham.
Occupation recorded as dock labourer.

1941

11 Dec

Occupation recorded as stevedore.^a4

Facts