Thomas Robert Rigg.
Thomas Robert was born to Robert and Elizabeth Rigg on 24th January 1847, whilst they were living at Ann St, Rochdale. In the 1851 Census Thomas had moved with his family to 105 Drake St, Rochdale – Drake St was a busy commercial street in Rochdale.
In the 1871 Census Thomas was working as a Flannel Warehouse Clerk aged 24 with his parents, 2 aunts and 3 other apprentice dressmakers and a servant, in Glebeland Terrace, Vicars Walk, Rochdale.
Thomas married Ann Wood on 10th April 1872 at St Stephens Church, in Rochdale. Thomas was living in Drake St and was employed as a Book Keeper and his father was listed as a Gentleman, though at this stage we know he was also still a Draper. Ann was living at Whitworth Rd, Rochdale at the time of the marriage and the event was witnessed by William Hilton and Jane Wood (Ann’s sister).
Thomas and Ann had 4 children, Leonard Wood 1874, Ernest Edward 1876, who died aged just 5 years, Frank 1879 and Edith Jane in 1883.
In 1875 his father Robert died in Rochdale.
By the 1881 Census the family were living at 63 Mizzy Rd, Rochdale and Thomas was working as an Accountant and Ann was a housewife with 3 children. Also in the residence were Ann’s mother Esther (61) and her sister Jane (30), who was working as a Carpet Setter.
As we move on to the 1891 Census they had moved to 3 Mackinnon St, Wardleworth, Rochdale. Thomas was now employed as a Commercial Traveller and Leonard was an apprentice, aged 17. The other residents were Ann, Frank and Edith Jane.
In October 1884 Thomas’s mother Elizabeth (nee Milne) died in Rochdale
In January 1897 his wife Ann died.
At the time of the 1901 Census Thomas had moved home again to 29 Edward St, Rochdale and was aged 54, employed as a Commercial Traveller, with Frank working as a Railway Clerk, and Edith Jane as a House Keeper (Not Domestic)
Thomas Robert died on 23rd December 1907 at 29 Edward St, Rochdale of Bronchitis and was working as a Commercial Traveller in Oil and Tallow when he died. The notification was made by his son Frank Rigg. At present we can find no details of a will or probate but as his wife was deceased then any property would probably have passed to his children 3 of whom Leonard Wood Rigg, Frank Rigg and Edith Jane Rigg survived him.