Thomas# Grant J.P.

  Notes:

Thomas Grant was born in Pocklington in 1823, the son of a bricklayer, his parents also ran various public houses in Pocklington.
Thomas' father died when he was only 17 and he seems to have quickly taken over the family business and rapidly expanded it. By 1851 he was already the largest employer in the town (albeit with only 10 men, this number later grew to over 40). The breadth of the business also expanded and over the years he is variously described as builder, architect, surveyor, bricklayer, brick maker, cabinet maker, timber merchant, joiner, glass merchant, builders merchant and dealer in china.
Amongst the projects he was involved with were repairs and extensions to Pocklington School and the design and build of numerous 'National Schools' and Methodist chapels. At one time he was said to have built most of the houses in Pocklington in the 19th Century including the houses in Percy Road, Burnby Lane and Union Street (where he himself lived). There are a number of complementary references to him in Pevsner's Yorkshire East Riding.
Thomas also operated the small brick works at Bishop Wilton, and may have also been involved in the larger 'Pocklington Brick &Tile Works', although this is not certain.
Thomas married Mary Anne Dax in 1864, it is currently unclear how they met as she was from Welshpool, although she does seem to have travelled around a lot. Despite his presumably increasing social status and wealth he continued to live in the relatively modest house at Union Street.
On the civic front he was variously ; Justice Of The Peace, Chairman of the Pocklington Urban District Council (which his soon-to-be son-in-law James George-Powell was briefly Engineer & Surveyor to), Chairman of the Pocklington New Lighting Company and he also had some involvement in the Pocklington Floral & Horticultural Society and in the Pocklington Poultry Show. We can see that in 1881 for example he won numerous prizes for his plants at the Floral show and that he is is mentioned in the 'Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union".
In 1896 one of his warehouses in Pocklington was burnt down and from the remains he built (and continued to own) the Victoria Hall which was the centre of the town's social activities for many years, it was later used as a dance hall and Cinema, then converted to an animal feed mill and was demolished in 1989.
As far as can be ascertained only one of his five daughters (Alice George-Powell) had any children and after his death Thomas apparantely passed the business to his son-in-law, namesake and nephew Thomas Cliffe Grant (although he didn't marry Thomas' dau until two years after Thomas' death) who seems to have been quickly eclipsed as the major builder in the town by Thomas senior's former foreman Joseph Allison. Thomas also left numerous properties in the Pocklington and Millington area some of which eventually passed to the George-Powell branch of the family, some of these were not sold until the late 1950's. Thomas was appropriately buried with his wife by the main entrance to Pocklington Cemetery, where he had designed and built the two small chapels and the keeper's cottage.
His will names his two eldest daughters (Edith Mary Walford Grant and Lucy Margretta Brigham) as executors along with "my friend John Proudlock of Market Weighton, Seed Merchant", although Proudlock renounced his executor rights. The will left all his property to be divided equally amongst his daughters.

David Neave's 'Pocklington 1660 - 1914' booklet containts the following references to Thomas Grant;
1851 Map of Pocklington Households; he and his mother are amongst the people picked out. Shown as living at Waterloo Hotel, which his mother ran. But we knew that anyway due to census.
Woldopolis 1851-1914 (this is relevant later) "This title comes from a newspaper description of Pocklington in 1900 by which time the town had developed a civic sense and pride".
"The major employer in the town in 1851 was the builder Thomas Grant (1823-1907) who employed 10 men. He was the son of Thomas Grant, bricklayer and innkeeper of the Waterloo Hotel, and began his business career at the age of 17. By the 1880's he was builder, cabinet maker, timber merchant, dealer in all kinds of building materials and owner of a china and glass warehouse. On his death he was said to have been the builder of 'the major part of the principal property in Pocklington', being responsible for the Victorian houses in Percy Road, Burnby Lane, Union Street (eg Kimberley House) and elsewhere and was one of the most substantial builders in the East Riding. It was he who built 'Woldopolis' his business expanding with the town. Forty two of his workmen attended his funeral including Joseph Allison who had been his foreman for ten years. A little later on Nov. 30th 1907 an advertisment appeared in the Pocklington Weekly News announcing that Joseph Allison and Son, builders, Regent Street, were commencing business on their own account. Thus Pocklington's largest 19th century concern gave way to a firm that was to develop into the town's leading mid - 20th century employer".
Fire at Flax Factory ...... "There was apparantely some mismanagement in the affairs of the flax factory, the fire only adding to its troubles and though the mill was still in existence in 1859 it was closed soon afterwards. The site was sold to Thomas Grant and the great factory chimney was pulled down". A later article after the first edition of the book is all about the flax factory and includes "Thomas Grant bought the Flax Mill about 1860 and used it as a warehouse for his building materials, glass and porcelain. On night in March 1896 fire broke out in the Chapmangate area of Pocklington and the roof of the main body of the mill was destroyed. The walls of the building were left intact apart from the gables. An extensive report on the fire appeared in the Pocklington Weekly News of 21st March 1896. As Pocklington had no fire service of its own, buckets were used until the York horse-drawn steam-powered tender arrived. The North Eastern Railway Fire train was also used. The estimated loss to Thomas Grant and R.M. English was between five and ten thousand pounds. The cost of extinguising the fire was almost £70. Some men were paid 1s 8d per hour and a local councillor stated that it was a 'howling shame' that such high rates had been set! Within days of the fire, in April 1896, Thomas Grant was elected to the Town Council. He was a man of great foresight and imagination for he proposed turning his burnt out warehouse into a modern public hall. So it transpired that the warehouse became the Victoria Hall in 1896 although it was not opened until 1897 in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. An offer to buy the hall at a cost of £800 or £900 was made by R.M. English who was also a local councillor. He envisaged using it as either a police station or a public swimming pool but as the latter was going to cost £1000 the idea was dropped. In the end, Grant refused to sell and continued to operate it as a public hall until the mid 1920s. (SMGP: Presumably this was his nephew and son-in-law Thomas Cliffe Grant, as Thomas died in 1907). Concerts, operas, balls and regimental dinners were all held in the Victoria Hall. It was later used as a Dance Hall and cinema. The building then became an animal feed mill until its demolition in 1989."
(Politically) "The town was divided into two groups, Conservatives and churchmen, and Liberals and nonconformist. The first members of the Urban District Council elected in 1894 included : ......Thomas Grant, builder, Conservative and churchman"

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Got link to father by finding Thomas (Jnr) christening on familysearch.org, ties in with building trade and pubs so sure it is correct.

Baptism in Pocklington Parish Register; Thomas 11th April 1823, Pocklington. Son of Thomas and Mary Grant. Abode; Pocklington. Father's profession; Bricklayer.

1841 Census (age~15) living in Church Lane, Pocklington with widowed mother, brothers William and George and 2 apprentices. Mothers occupation is Innkeeper, so probably this is a pub (same one as '51 presumably).

1851 census (age 27) living Waterloo Hotel in Church Lane, Pocklington, unmarried with widowed mother and younger brother George, also an apprentice bricklayer and a servant. According to http://www.pocklingtonhistory.com/history/20thcentury/index.php he was the major employer in the town this year, albeit with only 10 men.

from a2a; 1853; Pocklington National School Plans - ref. SGP/66 - date: 1853. Contents Contains front elevation plan; cross section of master's house plan, girls school and boys school plan; chamber plan, section of infants gallery plan and elevation of master's house plan; site plans (two) Thos Grant, builder, Pocklington

1855 Slaters Commerical Directory there is a Thomas Grant of Bishop Wilton (no distance from Pocklington) who is a Brick & Tile Maker'. Coincidence?

1856; The Pocklington Flax Fire ; A Flax mill was built on the site of the old Tannery which closed around 1836. In 1856 a great fire in Pocklington consumed the premises and nothing much was left. The site (between Union Street and Chapmangate) was then bought by the builder Thomas Grant who used the site as a warehouse for his building materials.

1858; Millington National School Plans - ref. SGP/57 - date: 1858. Contents Contains site plan; ground plan and elevation; end elevation and section plan; prosposed alteration of two cottages to make a master's house plan; site plan Thos Grant, surveyor, Pocklington

1861 census (age 37) living at West Green, Pocklington, unmarried, with widowed mother, a servant and 3 apprentices.

1861; In the journal of horticulture, cottage gardener, and country gentleman he is listed as the contact for the Pocklington Poultry Show

6th June 1862 London Gazette; A Deed is entered into the records of the Chief Registrar of the Court of Bankruptcy; Date of execution by debtor; 14 May 1862.
Name of debtor; Wm Grant of Dalton nr Huddersfield, Common Brewer (Thomas' brother)
Trustees; Joseph Cliffe of Birkby nr Huddersield, Common Brewer (presum Wm brother in law) and Thomas Grant of Pocklington, Builder (as sureties).
Nature of the deed; Wm Grant to pay 5s in the £ to his creditors. To be paid in 2 instalments of 2s 6d two and four months from 14 May 1862. The payment of both instalments to be secured by the joint covenant of Joseph Cliffe and Thomas Grant. Wm Grant to assign all his stock in trade and personal estate to JC and TG. If Wm pays the two instalments his stock and estate to be returned to him. If he fails to pay then JC and TG to sell the stock in trade &c and use the proceeds to pay (in order) ; expenses of the sale, reimburse themselves all expenses, the remainder to any part of the remaining unpaid instalments, with any remaining surplus to be paid to Wm Grant.

York Herald 1863; CHURCH AT POCKLINGTON. "A ceremony of considerable interest to the Roman Catholics of Pocklington took place on Wednesday last, in the re-opening of the church of St. Joseph in that place. Originally but a very small edifice, built some half century ago, and, by Mr. Grant, builder, of Pocklington The opening ceremony consisted of the solemn performance of high mass, the choir being that from Everingham whilst the harmonium was presided at by Mr. Powell of York. Pontifical high mass was sung by Dr. Cornthwaite, persuasion in Pocklington, and an enlargement was consequently some time ago decided upon"

1864; Occupation given as Builder on wedding cert. How did he meet his wife ??

Wrexham Advertiser; Sat 24 Sept 1864; On the 20th, at St. Mary's Church, Welshpool, by the Rev. J. E. Hill, Mr Thos. Grant, Pocklington, Yorkshire, to Miss Mary Anne Dax, Powis Castle Park, Welshpool
That sounds like she was living with her aunt and uncle (Thomas Walford) at the time she got married (he was agent at Powis Castle), rather than parents (who had already moved to Shrops). Which might explain why first born was 'Edith Mary Walford Grant' ; of course we knew where the Walford came from, but it sounds like she was even closer to them.

1871 census Thomas was living at Union Street, Pocklington with Mary (wife) and daughters and a servant.

1874; In the journal of horticulture, cottage gardener, and country gentleman he is listed as winning something (no full text) at the Pocklington Pigeon and Cage Bird Show.

Sheffield (?!) Daily Telegraph Thurs 19th Nov 1874; For sale, about 15 tons of prime meadow hay, the produce of 1873 and about 12 tons, the produce of 1874. Apply Mr Thomas Grant, Pocklington

York Herald, Sat 16th Oct 1875; Refurb of North Newbald Church " Mr. Thomas Grant, builder, of Pocklington, whose work has been efficiently executed The repairs are only partial. The West nave has.....",

York Herald; 1875; " SCHOOL NEAR POCKLINGTON. Thursday was a " red letter day" in the local history of Yapham -cum-Mekonby, a small village pleasantly situated about two and a half miles north west of Pocklington, on the occasion ofthe opening of a new church school. For some years, Mr. T. Grant, architect, of Pocklington. The principal landowners and farmers in the district have lent their aid towards the support of the school, and amongst the contributors are the following :— Admiral the Hon. A. Duncombe, of Kilnwick Percy, Rector of Pocklington), Miss Dixon, Mrs. J. Tinsdale, Mrs. Jaram, Miss Hall, &c. Afterwards a concert was given in the marquee by the Pocklington Church Choir, and several vocalists in the neighbour- hood, including the following : ....."

York Herald, Sat 19 Aug 1876, Church Opening At Allerthorpe " Mr. Thomas Grant, builder, Pockhngton, who sub- let the work to the following: - Mr. JaCques, mason, Mr. G. Grant, joiner, and Messrs. J. Lamb and Son, plumbers and painters, Pocklington."

York Herald; Mon 8th Sep 1879; Pocklington Petty Sessions; Offence against the Factory and Workshops Act. Thomas Grant of Pocklington, who has a brickyard at Bishop Wilton, was summoned by Mr.G.H.Lascelles Rickards, Inspector of Factories, for employing a girl under 16 years of age in his brickyard ….. the defendant alleged that he simply let bricks to be made at so much per thousand and he had nothing to do with the employment of workpeople. He was fined 2s 6d and the costs. Samuel Fenton, the father of the girl, was summoned for permitting his dau to work in the brickyard. The defendant, who is also manager of the brickyard, was fined 10s and the costs.

1881 census Thomas was widower living at 1 Union Terrace, Pocklington with his 5 daughters plus Mary Sterck (housekeeper) and Sarah J Palfreyman (Servant).

1882; Yorkshire Gazette; "NEAR POCKLINGTON. On Thursday last the inhabitants of Melbourne, about half-a-dozen miles from Pocklington, had just occasion for rejoicing in the opening of a new church in that picturesque village. Hitherto no place of worship in connection with the .... Messrs. Grant, of Pocklington. It is intended, we believe, to enclose the church either with railings or wall, and the entrance gates will be supplied by Mr. W. Thomlinson-Walker, of the Victoria Iron Works, York. At the opening service a numerous congregation....."

1884 ; He is mentioned in Transactions of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union 1884, Mr.Thomas Grant (Pocklington).

Yorkshire Gazette; 8 Nov 1884; Accident On The Road; On Thurs evening last a collision took place between a conveyance belonging to Mr.J.M.Clarkson, of Smylett Hall, and another belonging to Mr Thomas Grant of Pocklington, on the road near Yapham Mill, resulting in the breaking of the two shafts of Mr Clarkson's conveyance and one shaft on the other. Mr Clarkson was in his own trap, and was holding an umbrella before him, which prevented his boy, who was driving, from seeing the other conveyance, which was driven by Thomas Sellers, one of Mr Grant's workmen. The later had drawn to the side of the road, but as it was very dark at the time he was afraid of going in to the ditch. The shock threw Mr Clarkson and his boy out, but they were, fortunately, not much hurt.

Jan 18th 1887; The Pocklington New Lighting Company Ltd to be sold to the Pocklington New Gas Co Ltd. Signed Chairman; Thos.Grant. There are details of the company inc Directors meetings etc in the Transo Archives (Warrington); The original Pocklington Gaslight and Coke Co was formed in 1834. In 1886 a rival company, the Pocklington New Gas Co Ltd established itself and erected a second gasworks in the town. An agreement was reached in 1887 and the old company transferred its works to the new undertaking. The company vested in the Hull Group of the NEGB in 1949.

1887 ; Yorkshire Gazette "... Flint v. Grant and Flint Jarvis. These cases had previously been heard Pocklington and Beverley, and the subject of them was a series of made by plaintiff relating to the weight of beast sold some time ago at Pocklington. The sums money depending amounted, for T. Grant, a builder at Pocklington, who held money, by desire, for plaintiff on the one hand, and Henry and William Wreggitt, of Pocklington, on the other. There was a further bet, for which Mr t' **' I* klington, butcher, was stakeholder."

1891 census Thomas & Edith were living in Union Street, with Elizabeth F(?)ellas (aged 15, born in Pocklington) who was General Servant Domestic. NB: The Fawcett family were living next door in both 81 and 91, implying that Thomas was still living in same house. Union Terrace is a row at the far end of Union St, but there is (now) no Number 1 - the numbering just continues from Union Street !

1892 Bulmer's Directory; Grant Thos., builder, joiner, glass, etc., dealer, Union Street and Waterloo buildings

4 Aug 1893 London Gazette; long list of people "Schedule of names of persons referred to in an act of the fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh years of Her present Majesty, intituled "An act to appoint additional Commissioners for executing the Acts for granting a Land Tax and other Rates and Taxes .............. for the East Riding of the County of York ..... Thomas Grant, Esquire, Pocklington". Presumably this is when he became a J.P. ?

York Herald, Sat 3 Nov 1894, his tender for the building of the new Chemistry Lab at Pocklington Grammar School was accepted.

York Herald; Thurs 24 Sept 1896; To Let; (Bielby near Pocklington) Small farm, 13 acres, land, half grass, Good house with suitable buildings. Entry at Michaelmas next. Rent low. Apply Thomas Grant, Pocklington or William Hawe, Architect, Beverley.

1896; The Great Fire of Pocklington; ..... who can recall the great fire which destroyed the extensive block of buildings in Chapmangate that at that time comprised the Salvation Army Barracks, the large corn warehouse of Mr. R. M. English and the building warehouse of Mr. T. Grant. Eye witnesses of the fire describe how scores of volunteers worked under Mr. English in removing sacks of seed corn from his warehouse and another band assisted Mr. Grant to remove a lot of inflammable material from his warehouse. It is said " Good often comes from evil," and it would appear that some good did come from Pocklington's great fire, disastrous as it was, for some short time afterwards Mr. Grant erected on the site of the burnt out shell a fine spacious public hall which we know as the " Victoria Hall," and which was the centre of the town's social activities for many years.

1897; Kelly's Directory;
Urban District Council (which briefly employed his later son-in-law James George-Powell); he is listed as Chairman and is schedule to retire by rotation in Apr 1898.
Private Residents; Grant Thos. J.P.The Terrace, Union st - this is only mention of him being a J.P. that I can see.
Commercial; Grant Thomas, builder, Station yard; cabinet maker, Waterloo buildings; timber merchant & dealer in all kinds of building materials & china & glass warehouse, Union street

1901 census Thomas & Edith were living in Union Street, with Emma Smith (aged 17, born in Pocklington) who was General Servant Domestic.

1905 ; Kelly's Directory;
Public Establishments; Victoria Hall, Chapmangate, Thomas Grant, proprietor
Private Residents; Grant Thomas, The Terrace, Union St
Commercial; Grant Thomas, builder, Station yard; cabinet maker, Waterloo buildings; timber merchant & dealer in all kinds of building materials & china & glass warehouse, Union street
Pocklington Floral & Horticultural Society (Thomas Grant, see)

London Gazette ; 7 Aug 1908 ; "Thomas Grant, Deceased. Notice is hereby given, that all persons having claims against the estate of Thomas Grant, late of Pocklington, in the County of York, Builder and Joiner (who died on the 24th June 1907, and whose businesses were carried on by the executors till the 18th March 1908) are required to send in written particulars of their claims to me." etc. etc. Alfred Summerson, Pocklington, Solicitor to the executors.

The Atheneaum Journal 1908 contains text (appears to be for sale by auction notice) “Bart., DSO. comprising Coins of Syracuse In Gold, Elect rum. and Silver. Mohurs and Dinars of various Dynasties, ftc.: the COLLECTION of the late THOMAS GRANT, Esq.. of Pocklington (sold by order of the Executors), comprising a large and important Series of English Tokens in Silver and Copper of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, ..."

According to David Neave, Joseph Allison was foreman to the famous Pocklington builder Thomas Grant for ten years, and started his builders business in Pocklington in November 1907, following the death of his employer earlier in the year. Thomas Grant was a builder, cabinet maker and timber merchant and a dealer of building materials. He was said to have built most of Pocklington including the houses in Percy Road, Burnby Lane, Union Street (e.g. Kimberley House). If Thomas Grant built most of the houses of the 19th Century, then it was Allisons who built many of the houses in the 20th century. They built all of the Algarth Garden Estate, which was an award winning housing development.

In the Hull Uni archives there are letters to Owen Hughes, Sledmere from, amongst others, Thomas Grant, builder, Union St, Pocklington.

Newspaper clipping from John Nottingham (not the same!); "Claim For Breach Of Contract. Mr.Thos. Grant, builder, Pocklington, claimed £27 4s from John Nottingham, brickmaker, Pocklington, by reason of the defendants non-delivery of bricks according to contract. Mr.R.P.Dale was for the plaintiff, and Mr.James, of York, for the defendant. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant came to him and offered to sell him 100,000 common bricks at 22s a thousand, as he was overstocked. The defendant asked for £60 on account, which the plaintiff gave him, and the agreement then was that the plaintiff should pay the remaining sum as he got the bricks. He got 53,150 when the defendant for some reason or other refused to deliver any more. The defence was that the agreement was that the plaintiff should pay £60 before any bricks were taken away, and that on £60 worth of bricks being got by the plaintiff, the plaintiff should at once pay for the remainder. Verdict for the plantiff for £20, with costs on the higher scale.

Thomas Grant passed a number of properties in Pocklington and Millington through the family till eventually sold by the George-Powell's in 1950's for £40/50 per house! Have seen deeds for one of the Millington properties and it was next to a property occupied by the Brighams, who Lucy Grant later married into.
Looking through assorted papers of rates, taxes, rents etc. I think the 'George- Powell Pocklington Properties' were thus (values and rents from summary document with no date on it);
a.4 x Freehold dwellings No 9, 10, 13 and 15, Church Lane, Chapmangate, Pocklington. Let @ £48.15, Est Value £750.
b.2 x Freehold cottages at Chapmangate, Pocklington. Let @ £55.18.0. pa. Est value £800.
c.4 x Freehold Cottages at 1,2,3 & 4 Millington. Let @ £24.10.0 pa. Est Value £300.
4.Freehold Cottage "Spring Villa" (presum same as Spring Cott. above), Millington. Let @ £5.15spa. Est Value £150
d.Freehold Cottage "The Villa" Let @ £9pa, est value £250.
These went to the George-Powells, presuambly there were others that went to his other daughters, or maybe not if they had no grandchildren ? Or maybe they went to the dau's and then to the George-Powell's, Thomas' will would be useful.

Probate Index Search (done by East Riding CRO) Grant, Thomas of Pocklington Yorkshire, Builder & Joiner, died 24 June 1907. Probate York 31 December to Edith Mary Walford Grant, Spinster & Lucie Margretta Brigham (wife of George Brigham) Effects £14024 4s 3d.
Sent for will late Aug 09.

http://www.pocklington.gov.uk/townguide9900.asp (this link now dead); "Most buildings date from 1780 to 1880 although the names of many builders and architects have been forgotten. Much of the town seems to be the work of skilled Pocklington born builder and architect Thomas Grant (1823 - 1907) who was a major employer in the town. The Wesleyan School, Chapmangate, 1852 and the National Schools in New Street and also in the nearby village of Nunburnholme, both 1854, show his fine eye for detailing. Several other buildings in the town can be attributed to him. His style changed over the years from his work extending Pocklington School in the early 1850s and Wilberforce House in the 1860s to characteristic Grant houses of the 1870s and finally the decorated glazed brick homes of the 1880s and 90s."

Google Books;
Is mentioned in "Family History and Local history in England" Page 180, published 1987 by Longman Press.

a2a; FILE - Pocklington Wesleyan School Plans - ref. SGP/67 - date: nd. [19th century].Contents Contains plan of site and ground plan; cross section and longitudinal section plan; chamber plan and front elevation plan; end and back elevation plan Thos Grant, builder, Pocklington

And also in; East Riding Chapels and Meeting Houses By David Neave, Susan Neave, East Yorkshire Local History Society : "On his death Grant was said to have been the builder of 'the major part of the principal property in Pocklington".

Pevsner (East Riding);
Pg.92 "... and at Pocklington there was the skilled builder-architect Thomas Grant (1823-1907)".
Pg 265 (Allerthorpe) "Wesleyan Chapel 1869 by Thomas Grant. Brick with overhanging slate roof. Central round-arched doorways flanked by round-arched windows". This is opposite the CofE Church, and is now a house.
Pg 272 (Barmby Moor) "Methodist Church (Wesleyan) 1869 by Thomas Grant. Modest, of yellow brick with round-arched openings with red brick voussoirs. Hipped slate roof". Still chapel, poor state of repair.
Pg 414 (Fangfoss) "Bolton. Methodist Church (Wesleyan) 1869 by Thomas Grant. Yellow brick and slate, single-storey with porch, round-headed openings". Still a chapel, recently refurbished, new roof, I went inside. Land for chapel was donated by the family of the people who live in the bungalow to the left of the chapel.
Pg 452 (Hayton) "Rectory, late C18-early C19 origins, rebuilt 1858 by Thomas Grant of Pocklington. Brick with hipped slate roof".
Pg 639 (Nunburnholme) "The former school (now a private house) was built in 1854 to designs of Thomas Grant. Red brick, Gothic".
Pg 648 (Pocklington) "The town exuded self-confidence and modest prosperity which was transferred into bricks and mortar by the local builder and architect Thomas Grant (1823-1907). His well-proportioned buildings with their distinctive grey brick quoins are dotted about the town".
Pg 649 (Pocklington) there are ministers houses flanking the Methodist Church. "to the right 1869 by Thomas Grant. Opposite is the former Wesleyan Day School 1854 also by Grant. Red brick with his distinctive grey brick quoins".
"Cemetery, Cemetery Lane. Two small chapels and keeper's cottage, of 1857. Red brick with grey brick details and stone quoins, probably by Thomas Grant". Thomas Grant also buried here.
"Youth Centre, New Street. Former National School built 1854 by Thomas Grant. Red brick with grey brick quoins and stuccoed hoodmoulds to windows. Decorative bargeboards".

"Wilberforce House, Railway Street, 1867 by Thomas Grant. Grey brick with quoins, overhanging hipped slate roof with bracketed eaves, heavy window surrounds and porch with elaborate pediment above. Central lantern roof-light"
"Wilberforce Lodge, West Green, 1858, pale red brick with grey brick quoins, full-height porch, by Thomas Grant". Some dispute / confusion about these two, who are both named after the Pocklington School Old Boy. Now think probably that Wilberforce is the property next to the school and that Wilberforce Lodge is further down West Green, towards Canal Lane.

Have pictures of all the above buildings (apart from Wilberforce Lodge).

Also have pictures of Thomas and Mary Anne's gravestone in Pocklington Cemetry (close to main entrace, on the left, just by circular bit of path) - see under Mary Anne entry. In same graveyard is joint gravestone for Thomas Cliffe Grant, Edith Mary Walford Grant and Mary Anne Grant (Tom's daughter), but this has no dates on it.

Extracts from John Nottingham's article of Brick Making in the area (full copy available from http://www.pocklingtonhistory.com/archives/industry/brickmaking/brickcomment/PockBrickWorks3.pdf);
"Secondly, with the exception of Thomas Grant (who in any event was primarily a builder) .... seemingly none of the listed 'Brickmakers' actually lived either on-site or in the town" .......... "However, with the sole exception of Thomas Grant who was recorded as a Builder and Brickmaker in 1851 it was not until the 1871 census that the first resident brickmaker appears" ........ "Grant was born and lived his life in Pocklington. He was primarily a builder/employer and was still listed as a builder/contractor in the 1901 census aged 77. He was also the proprietor of the Bishop Wilton Brick Yard which operated from 1854 to 1886 and, on that basis, it is convenient to suppose that bricks and tiles were being transported from Bishop Wilton after 1854 for use in Grant's business in Pocklington. However, this only goes so far to solve the problem. The Bishop Wilton site was also seemingly modest, extending to only 3 acres, of which barely half were covered by clay diggings. Although a 'Brickyard House' is listed in the 1871 census, the 1892 map (shortly after closure) shows that all production buildings and dwelling(s) had been removed, so they may have been only temporary structures. Perhaps tellingly, the site is captioned as the 'Brick Field' rather than a brickyard. Putting all these points together, I am personally inclined to conclude that, while the Bishop Wilton site could support the needs of the host village, it is debatable whether bricks and tiles manufactured there could be exported elsewhere in any quantity. Perhaps the brick field's products were sufficient to support Grant's own business in Pocklington, but certainly they would be unlikely to satisfy the requirements of the township as a whole." .............. "However at no time does the Pocklington Brick & Tile Works appear to have been a family-run business. It is pure conjecture to suggest whether either Thomas Grant was the founder of the works (perhaps to supplement waning supplies from Bishop Wilton), and/or whether it was Charles Ogle."
SMGP note; The Bishop Wilton Brick Yard is now the exact site of Bishop Wilton Stud.

In the Goodmanham Conservation Area Appraisals it mentions;
IMPORTANT BUILDINGS WITHIN THE CONSERVATION AREA;
Brook Farm - Late 19th century, in style of Thomas Grant of Pocklington. Red and yellow brick and concrete pantile. Two storey x four bay x three bay. Hipped roof. Hung sash windows with cement rendered lintels. Decorative yellow brick quoins and bands.
And
Former School - 1872. Designed by Thomas Grant of Pocklington. Red/yellow brick and slate. Yellow brick bands.
School House - Circa. 1872. Red/yellow brick and slate. Yellow bands. Half hipped roof. Two bay houses, yellow brick voussoirs. (Doesn't say it's Grant, but sounds like it).


Text of will;
This is the last will and testament of me Thomas Grant of Pocklington in the County of York Builder and Joiner and I hereby revoke all former wills and testamentary dispositions made by me and appoint my daughters Edith Mary Walford Grant and Lucy Margretta Brigham and my friend John Proudlock of Market Weighton in the said County of York Seed Merchant hereinafter called my Trustees to be my executors and trustees of this my will and authorise my daughters Edith Mary Walford Grant and Mary Ann Grant to select out of my household furniture such articles as they may desire to have to the value of fifty pounds each And I give the articles to be so selectec by them unto my said two daughters absolutely I give all ??cles trinkets plate plate goods ???? china glas and ????ments in my dwellinghouse wherein I now reside to my trustees Upon Trust to divide the same equally amongst all my children as such of them as shall survive me I devise and bequeath all my real and personal estate not hereby otherwise disposed of (except copyhold hereditaments) unto my Trustees and I devise all of my copyhold hereditaments (if any) to the use of such person ot persons and in such manner as my Trustees shall within twenty one years after my decease by any deed or deeds for the ???? of carrying into effect any sale made under the Trust hereinafter in that ???? declated ???? And in default of any until such appointments or devise the said copyhold hereditaments unto and to the use of the said Edith Mary Walford Grant in trust for my Trustees and to be surrendered and disposed of as my Trustees shall direct And I declare that my Trustees shall sell call in and convert into money the said real and personal estate including the said copyhold hereditaments hereinbefore devised and bequeated or such part ???? as shall not consist of money and shall with and out of the nett moneys produced by such sale calling in and conversion and with and out of my ready money pay my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts and the legacies bequeated by any Codicil to this my Will And shall stand possessed of the residue of the said moneys the trust for all my children in equal shares Provided always that if any child of mine shall die in my lifetime leaving a child or children who shall survive me and being a Son or Sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that or marry under that age then and in every such case the ???? mentioned child or children shall take (and if more than one equally between them) the share which his her or there parent should have taken of and in the said residuary trust monets if such parent had survived me And I declare that my Trustees may at their discretion ???? (raise perhaps?) any part or parts not exceeding together one moiety of the vested or presumptive share of any grandchild of mine under this my Will and apply the same for his or her advancement preferment or benefit as my Trustees shall think fit And I also declare that if at anytime before the sale of any part of my real estate any of my daughters shall give notice in writing to my Trustees or to their Solicitor of her desire to purchase any part of my said real estate my Trustees shall cause the property mentioned in such notice to be valued according to its then reating and selling value by some capable and disinterested person and shall sell and transfer the same to the daughter first giving such notice at and for the price of such valuation accordingly And I also declare that my Trustees may postpone the sale and conversion of any such part of my real and personal estate (including leaseholds) for as long as they shall think fir and that the rents profits and income to accrue from and after my decease of and from such part of my estate as shall for the time being remain unsold and unconverted shall after payment thereout of all incidental expenses and outgoings be paid and applied for the person or persons and in the manner to whom and in which the income of the proceeds of such sale and conversion would for the time being be payable or applicable under this my Will if(?) such sale and conversion had been actually made And I also declare that as regards any real or leasehold property remaining unsold my Trustees shall be at liberty to let or devise for such period at such rent and subject to such conditions as they shall think fit and to accept surrenders of leases and tenancies to expend moneys in repairs and improvements and generally to manage the property according to their ????? discretion And with respect to the businesses of a Builder and Joiner now carried on by me at Pocklington aforesaid or any other business in which I may be engaged at my decease I empower my Trustees to continue the same for so long as they shall think fit or to discontinue the same at anytime and to wind up the affairs thereof with liberty for my Trustees if and so long as they shall continue any business to employ therein the whole or any part of the capital which shall be employed therein at my decease and also such further ????? my estate as they shall think proper and with liberty also to employ managers agents and clerks and generally to act in the conduct of the said business as they shall ?? their absolute discretion think fit without being answerable for any loss arising thereof And I also declare that the Executors and Trustees for the time being of this my Will may instead of acting personally employ and pay a Solicitor or other person engage in any profession or business to transact any business or do any act required to be done in connection with the administration of my estate or the trusts hereby declared including the receipt and payments of money In Wirness whereof I have hereto set my hand this fifteenth day of June one thousand nine hundred and six. Thomas Grant.
Signed by the above named Thomas Grant the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both being present at the samr time who at his request in his sight and presence and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as Witnesses. Alfred Summerson, Solicitor, Pocklington. Mary Alice Summerson, Pocklington. On the thirty first day of December 1907 Probate of this Will was granted at York to Edith Mary Walford Grant Spinster and Lucie Margretta Brigham (Wife of George Brigham) two of his executors.
John Proudlock the other executor named in the said Will having renounced the Probate and execution thereof. £17,029 ; 10; 1. Gross value of Estate £14,024:4:3. Net value of personal Estate £1,626:7:3.

Thomas# married Mary Anne# Dax, daughter of William# Dax and Mary# Withers, 20th Sep 1864 in Welshpool Parish Church, Montgomery, Montgomeryshire. (Mary Anne# Dax was born in 1836 in Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, died 24th Feb 1874 in Pocklington, East Riding and was buried in 1874 in Pocklington, East Riding.)