Thomas Evans (1844 - 1888)

Thomas was born at 25 Mill Street, Manchester, England, on 5th July, 1844, the second child of William and Mary Ann Evans.

Thomas seems to have stayed on in England to finish his education when his mother migrated. There is a family story that he went to Cambridge (memory of Mrs Betty Mossop). However, there is no recognisable Thomas Evans listed in either 'Alumni Cantabrigiensis' or 'Alumni Oxoniensis'. It is said that he was a very good piano player and flautist, and also very particular about how people spoke.

Thomas Evans

His arrival in Australia has not yet been discovered.

Thomas married Fanny Paxton in 1865 at Kent Town, near Adelaide. The marriage was conducted at the dwelling house of Mr.and Mrs. William Paxton (Fanny's parents) by Thomas's grandfather, Rev. Henry Cheetham.   Fanny was born at St Neots, Huntingdonshire, England to William and Sarah Paxton (nee Fairey)

The inscription in the Bible given on their wedding day.

Presented to Mr. Thomas Evans Bank Manager Strathalbyn 30.8.1865 on the day of his marriage to Miss Fanny Paxton of Kent Town Nth Adelaide with an earnest prayer for their future welfare by his Grandfather the Officiating Minister on that Occasion H. Cheetham Norwood Nth Adelaide SA

National Bank, Strathalbyn

Thomas was a Manager with the National Bank and was sent to various towns in South Australia - Strathalbyn, Wallaroo, Moonta, Kent Town and Stepney were just a few. Thomas had the pleasant duty of laying the foundation stone of the new Strathalbyn National Bank in 1868 but as he had moved to the Head Office in Adelaide, he was not to have the pleasure of moving into the new premises.

Thomas was a member of the St John's Lodge.

He died in 1888 at the age of 44 years and Fanny died in 1915.  They are both buried in the Kensington High Street cemetery.

Parents

Children born to Thomas and Fanny are:

William Paxton was born in 1866 and married Lois Eunice Hopkins

Maud Mary was born in 1867 and married Colin Dawson McFarlane

Percival Henry was born in 1869 and married Margaret Mary Sexton

Alice Edith was born in 1875and married Robert Gibson Birt

Hubert John was born in 1876 and died aged 18 at his Grandmother's home at Norwood. He was a clerk.

Winifred Fairey was born in 1878 and married Newland

Harold Egbert was born and died in 1880

twin daughters born and died in 1881

Register Personal Notices
EVANS - PAXTON - On the 30th August, at the home of the bride's father Thomas Evans of Strathalbyn, to Fanny, eldest daughter of Mr. William Paxton of Kent Town. No Cards (see Register 3 September 1865 for amended entry)
EVANS - PAXTON - On the 30th August at the residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. H. Cheetham, Thomas Evans of Strathalbyn, to Fanny, eldest daughter of Mr. William Paxton of Kent Town. No cards.

The Advertiser, Thursday, July 26, 1888
EVANS - On the 25th July, at Stepney, Thomas, second son of the late William Evans, C.E. of Oldham, Lancashire, and of Mrs. C. Smedley, of Semaphore, aged 44 years. EVANS - The friends of the late Thomas Evans are informed that his remains will leave his late Residence, Stepney Street, Stepney, for High Street, Kensington, on Friday July 27th 1888 at 2.30 o'clock P.M.

The Southern Argus, Thursday 26th August, 1915
The death is announced of an old time resident of Strathalbyn, Mrs. Thos. Evans, whose husband was manager of the National Bank here for many years, being given charge when the present building was erected. Mrs. Evans died on Tuesday in Adelaide. 3 daughters and 2 sons survive her.

The Adelaide Chronicle, August 28th, 1915
EVANS - On the 24th August, 1915, at the Adelaide Hospital, Fanny Evans, age 79, relict of the late Thomas Evans, formerly of the National Bank of Australasia.