FAIRCLOTH Family

See also Harry Joseph Faircloth

See also Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade and Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade 1882-1948

The following notes are not complete and there is more information available from other sources not yet researched.  However, they give some of the information we have available on this Leigh family.

Thomas Faircloth, bap 8 April 1776, Wells Chapel, Tonbridge, Kent:  parents William Faircloth/Judith.   Thomas was probably buried 11 Jan 1864 Bidborough, aged 87 (so born 1777):   Will of 5 Jan 1864 says Thomas Faircloth of Bidborough, yeoman, by oath of son, Thomas Faircloth, Wheelwright

Thomas Faircloth, died 13 Sept 1884:  Will, of Poundsbridge, Penshurst, beer retailer; oat of William Faircloth, nephew.

Faircloths in Leigh:

1841 census:  Thomas Faircloth, wheelwright, The Street, Leigh
1861 census: Thomas Faircloth, the Street, wheelwright, aged 50, wife: Ann
1871 census Leigh:  Thomas Faircloth (wife Ann) wheelwright b. 1810 Brasted
1871 census Leigh:  George Faircloth, Bat & Ball, beer house keeper aged 28 b. Leigh
1881 census Leigh:  John Thomas Faircloth, wife Eliza, wheelwright – next to Undenom. Chapel, b. 1845 Leigh (by 1911 living Rusthall)
1911 Harry Joseph Faircloth, b. 1855 Bidborough, living Leigh (wife Alice)

William Faircloth, son Thomas Faircloth and Sarah, bapt Penshurst 16 Sept 1810
Thomas Faircloth, son Thomas Faircloth and Sarah, bapt 10 Jan 1808 Brasted Kent (? Residence given as Croydon)

(n.b. cannot find in on-line records the marriage of Thomas Faircloth and Sarah)

1861/1871 census:  we find Thomas Faircloth, wheelwright (b. Ca 1810 Brasted) living in the Street, Leigh.  (None of his children is called Harry).  In fact further research has found Harry Joseph Faircloth to be the son of William Faircloth of Penshurst.

1881 census Harry J Faircloth is a wheelwright at Marlpit Corner, born Bidborough ca 1857.  He is probably the son of William Faircloth (b. Ca 1810 d. ? 1873 Tonbridge).  William Faircloth was born Penshurst, a wheelwright.

At Ivy House/Cottage – Harry Faircloth aged 34 (1891 census) and worked in his workshop at bottom of Ivy Cottage (workshop later to become known as Wheelwrights Cottage).

Harry Faircloth –also known as Potty Faircloth: wheelwright – worked with brother in law Henry Martin – made wheels, and coffins, and general carpentry.   He was also a member of the Leigh Fire Brigade and died in 1929.

He and his wife, Alice Martin, would have eight children.   Their son Frank died in WW1.  Three of his other sons were:

Ray Faircloth used workshop/shed (i.e. what is now wheelwrights) until 1950s or 1960s, working as Coffin maker and carpenter.  He had two children and when his wife died he went to live with brother, George and his wife.

George Faircloth – lived at The Cottage (now Graham Marchant’s house):  ? cricket ball maker

Fred Faircloth – lived Old Wood Cottage (fire brigade):  his son Bill lived at No. 2 Forge Square and worked in Adin Coates.

His other children were:  Harry, Cecil, Alice and Edith.

(Joyce Field: December 2017)

 

 

Below are some photographs of members of the Faircloth family, given to the Society by Bob Hinge (See Old Wood Cottage):

Barbara Faircloth in middle; with Mr Moon - and his war effort girls. Approx 1942.
Barbara Faircloth in middle; with Mr Moon – and his war effort girls. Approx 1942.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fred Faircloth, with grandson, Bob Hinge ca 1948
Fred Faircloth, with grandson, Bob Hinge ca 1948

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopping 1940s - on right Ruth Swaffer; on left Elizabeth Faircloth
Hopping 1940s – on right Ruth Swaffer; on left Elizabeth Faircloth