TWEEDLEY, Thomson

   Cause of his death was bronchitis over 28 days.

   Other names for Thomson were TWEEDLIE, Thomson ⁴ and TWEEDLY, Thomson.

  General Notes:

The 1851 census recorded Thomson Tweedley (sic), aged 40 years, living in Hutchesontown near Glasgow, with his wife, Janet Tweedley, who was 41 years old. They lived at 19 Crown Street, and with them lived Margaret Foster, recorded as a cousin, and six others as lodgers. Their details were:

1 Margaret Foster, unmarried, cousin, aged 25 years, cotton reeler, born Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
2 Bethia Kellar, unmarried, lodger, aged 17 years, seamstress, born Glasgow
3 Archibald Fulerson, unmarried, lodger, aged 23 years, student, born Ardrossan, Ayrshire
4 Ann B. Jack, lodger, aged 6 years, scholar, born Edinburgh
5 Neil McPherson, unmarried, lodger, aged 22 years, student, born Killnanoon? Argyllshire
6 Robert Bruce, unmarried, lodger, aged 19 years, writer's clerk, born Port Glasgow
7 Duncan Stalker, unmarried, lodger, aged 15 years, stationer's clerk, born Tarbert Argyllshire

The 1851 census recorded Thomson Tweedley as an 'engine keeper'.

APPLICATION FOR PARISH RELIEF

Thomson Tweedley, of 167 Govan Street right, up 2 farthest right, applied for parish relief at 10.15 am on 8 January 1881. He was recorded as aged 77 years, had been born in Ireland and was a Protestant. His parents were Peter Tweedley, a gardener, and Elizabeth Foster, both of whom were dead.

Thomson was married and his occupation was that of engineman. He lived with his wife, Janet Sinclair, aged 76 years, who had been born in Perthshire, Scotland. They had no family(children). Thomson was claiming to be wholly disabled on account of debility, and his wife too was ill.

The assistant inspector's visit, leading to his subsequent report, took place at 11.45 am on 8 January 1881:
"Thomson Tweedley residing at 167 Govan Street, up 2 left (sic) is aged 76 years, born in County Donegal Ireland. Protestant. Son of Peter Tweedley gardener and Elizabeth Foster both dead.
Wife Janet Sinclair is aged 76 years born in Glendivan (sic) Perthshire, daughter of David Sinclair joiner and Janet Beveridge, both dead.
Has no family.
Residencies:
In present house Govan parish 7 months
prior 12 Warwick Street 24 years
Married 40 years ago in Blythswood Square Glasgow.
He is an engineman and is certified unfit from debility. Fit for removal. In no society. Has no means. Rent of house 7/4 a month.
Settlement: Govan Combination
signed Robert Davie"
Several letters accompany the report in the file. The first was written on writing paper with black borders:
"The bearer Mr Thomson Tweedley I have known now for over 20 years. I have very great pleasure in bearing testimony to the thorough respectability of both he and his wife and from their very advanced age and inability now to do anything for themselves their case is such that merits your most liberal support.
Yours respy
Hugh Lang
17/1/81 Langton Villa Pollokshields"

The second:
" GLASGOW
79 Crown St
Mr Wallace 17 Jan 1881
Dear Sir
The bearer Thomson Tweedlie (sic) I have known for over twenty five years (last three words underlined) to be an honest hardworking man, who seems now to be completely used up - he has made application to your board and his case comes up tomorrow.
Will you please do what you can for the poor old man as his is a case worthy of consideration -
I am Dear Sir Yours Truly
R. A. McLean"

And the third:
" 1 Beaufort Terrace
Govanhill Jan 6 1881
Mr Wallace
Inspector of Poor
Sir,
The bearer Thomson Tweedly (sic) is the person of whom I spoke to you yesterday at your office.

He and his wife are really deserving people and greatli in need of help from the Govan Parochial Board.
Hoping you will find it convenient to see them soon. I remain
Yours truly
Thos. MacLagan"
The envelope for this letter was enclosed with the address
Mr Wallace
Inspector
7 Carlton Place
The fourth was a medical certificate
"Board of Supervision's Order Cannot call (underlined)
No 1 1871 (sic)
Thomson Tweedley & wife
167 Govan St
front up 2 left lobby farthest right
Dr J H Menzies MD Medical Officer
282 Cumberland Street 8 Jan 1881
(There follows a series of questions of which the following are an extract)
in good health? NO
able to work? NO
nature of infirmity? DEBILITY
wife? ILL DEBILITY
of unsound mind? NO THOUGH VERY NERVOUS
able to be moved? YES IN OUR CONVEYANCE"
The enclosures finish here.
The file concludes
"1881 May 17 2/6 per week
1885 Aug 18 Died Aug 1 '85 buried by friends"

2 other notes on the reverse sheet said
3/- per week A.W. C3048
18 Jany '81 4/- per week

Thomson Tweedly died on 1 August 1885 at 167 Govan Street in the Hutchesontown area, south of the river Clyde. He was recorded as aged 68 years, widower of Jessie (sic) Sinclair, and as having been an engine keeper. Both of his parents, recorded on the death certificate as Alexander Tweedly and Elizabeth Foster, were dead. The informant was his niece. ^{3 5 6 7}

  Medical Notes:

H. C. Taylor, surgeon, certified the cause of death.

Ann Walker, niece of the deceased, who was present where the death occurred, informed the registrar at Glasgow, James Nimmo, on 1 August 1885.

Thomson married Janet SINCLAIR, daughter of David SINCLAIR and Janet BEVERIDGE, on 16 November 1838 in Glasgow, Scotland.¹ (Janet SINCLAIR was baptised on 30 October 1804 in Glendevon, Perthshire, Scotland ¹ and died before 1 August 1885.)