Christoper Thomson's book, Autobiography of an Artisan, was published in 1847, and in it, among many other things, he tells of his birth on Christmas Day, 1799, and of his various occupations: sailor, sawyer, and strolling player among them. It was as a strolling player that he first arrived in Edwinstowe in about 1930, later to return and set up business as a house-painter.He was appalled by the drunkeness and ignorance of many of the inhabitants, and in 1838 set up a 'penny library' in Ye Olde Jug and Glass in the High Street. He underwent hardship such as not buying sugar - probably then considered essential - for his tea in order to buy books. Night classes were also held there, and there was a conversation class attended by up to sixty people.
The Reading Rooms diagonally opposite Ye Olde Jug and Glass were a gift by the Earl and Countess of Manvers. Games were played there, and there was a meeting room: this was another attempt to lure people away from pubs.
HrChristopher Thompson was my great great great grandfather I live in Sheffield and Sheffield is where he ended up. All this information is very interesting to me and my cousins he was their grandfather too
ReplyDeleteInteresting. You don't have any more information that can be added to this post about Christopher Thomson do you? I don't suppose an image of his grave is possible? According to the British Library, it's spelled without the 'p' though.
ReplyDeleteHi I too am a gr gr gr granddaughter of Christopher Thomson (cousin to last contact)and I've been doing quite a bit of research on him. Id like to visit Edwinstowe and perhaps see where he lived - could you give me any advice on this? I did trace his grave in Sheffield General cemetery but unfortunately it was moved in the 1970's. I have details who else were buried with him. I have also been to see some landscapes he painted and other drawings.
ReplyDeleteCheers