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Thomas Pechell

Male 1836 - 1907  (71 years)


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  • Name Thomas Pechell 
    Born 17 Jan 1836 
    43 Brunswick Street, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1]
    Comment 5 Mar 1836 
    Foundling Hospital, Saint Pancras, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1]
    Admitted into the Foundling Hospital (number 19,877). 
    Christened 6 Mar 1836 
    Foundling Hospital, Saint Pancras, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [2]
    Gender Male 
    Census 06 Jun 1841 
    The Foundling Hospital, St Pancras, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [3]
    Age: 5 
    1841 Census: The Foundling Hospital    		 1841 Census: The Foundling Hospital
    Occupation 27 Jan 1850 
    2 Foxton Terrace, Islington, Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1]
    Apprenticed to James Wright, Boot and Shoemaker 
    Occupation 6 Aug 1850 
    Barking, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1]
    Apprenticed at John Harris, Smack Owner and Fisherman. 
    • John Harris, Axe Street, Barking is listed as a smack owner in the 1851 Post Office directory (pg 23), and in the 1851 census as a fisherman. Thomas Pechell is not resident at that address, however.
    Occupation 30 May 1851 
    Barking, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1]
    Apprenticed to Sam Hewitt, Fisherman. 
    • Samuel Hewitt ran The Short Blue Fleet, which consisted of almost all of Barking’s fishing smacks. He was the first to organize the fleeting system by which a large number of smacks worked together, transferring their catch daily to fast cutters which took it to market. He also introduced the use of natural ice for preserving fish. The Barking smacks of this period were about 75 feet long and of some 50 tons burden. Each carried a crew of 8 or 10, half of them apprentices. They fished the Dogger Bank and coasts of Holland, Germany, Denmark, and Iceland. The Barking fishing industry began to decline shortly before 1860. In 1865 Robert, son and successor of Samuel Hewett, transferred most of his trawlers to Yarmouth and Gorleston.

      Source: A History of the County of Essex

      The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen was founded by Ebenezer Mather, a visitor to the Short Blue Fleet in 1882.
    Occupation Abt 1853 
    Barking, Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [4]
    Believed to have been involved with the Thames Church Mission. The TCM was a forerunner to the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. 
    Thames Church Mission (Girl’s Own Paper)    		 Thames Church Mission (Girl’s Own Paper) (6)
    From the 1882-1883 editions
    Thames Church Mission (The Life-Boat, Sept 1852)    		 Thames Church Mission (The Life-Boat, Sept 1852) (3)
    Occupation 5 Apr 1865 
    Gorleston, Suffolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [5]
    Seaman 
    Census 02 Apr 1871 
    5 St John's Road, Battersea, London, Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [6]
    Age: 35 
    1871 Census: St John Road, Battersea, London    		 1871 Census: St John Road, Battersea, London
    Occupation 02 Apr 1871  [6] 
    Gardener 
    Document written 15 Feb 1875  [7] 
    Extract from “A Church Work Amongst Sailors in 64 Home Ports” 
    Extract from “A Church Work Amongst Sailors in 64 Home Ports”    		 Extract from “A Church Work Amongst Sailors in 64 Home Ports”
    as set forth by The Lower House of the Convocation of Canterbury and adopted by it February 15th 1875
    Residence Abt Aug 1877 
    28 Withipole Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location
    		  [8]
    Occupation Abt Aug 1877 
    Ipswich, Suffolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [8]
    Missionary to Seamen 
    News item entitled 'Books for Seamen', Ipswich Journal, 9 October 1877    		 News item entitled "Books for Seamen", Ipswich Journal, 9 October 1877
    We are requested to state that the Missions to Seamen Society, 11 , Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., has appointed a Scripture reader to visit the shipping on the Orwell, at Ipswich, Pin Mill, and Harwich, under the guidance of the local clergy…
    Newspaper mention 20 Oct 1877  [9] 
    Article entitled "Missions to Seamen Society" 
    		 "Missions to Seamen Society", The Ipswich Journal, 20 October 1877 (includes transcript) (2)
    Newspaper mention 5 Jan 1878  [10] 
    Article entitled "The Mission to Seamen Society" 
    Newspaper mention 10 Sep 1878  [11] 
    Advertisement in the East Anglian Daily Times 
    Advertisement in the East Anglian Daily Times, 10 September 1878    		 Advertisement in the East Anglian Daily Times, 10 September 1878
    The scripture reader of the Mission to Seamen Society would be much obliged for a gift of 24 of Sankey’s hymn books to aid him in his services afloat — T. Pechell, 28, Withipoll Street.
    Newspaper mention 7 Feb 1880  [12] 
    Article on Missions to Seamen in the Ipswich Journal 
    Article entitled 'Missions to Seamen', Ipswich Journal, 1880.    		 Article entitled "Missions to Seamen", Ipswich Journal, 1880.
    …He had before him the report of their Scripture reader and missionary and from it appeared that the work he had accomplished had been very great. Mr. Pechell reported that he had visited 1,782 vessels during the year, and had addressed 16,811 men: he had held 137 Scripture readings, and Admiral Mason said he had heard reports from other persons stating that these readings produced great effects amongst those to whom they were directed. Mr. Pechell further reported the sale of 64 Bibles… [I]t must be a very satisfactory thing for them to see the work which had been carried on by their missionary, which was far beyond what he had imagined… Mr. Pechell told him that his work very much increased, as the desire was becoming greater to have the benefit of his advice and counsel.
    Newspaper mention 11 Sep 1880  [13] 
    "Sailors and Landsmen" in the East Anglian Daily Times 
    'Sailors and Landsmen', East Anglian Daily Times, 11 September 1880    		 "Sailors and Landsmen", East Anglian Daily Times, 11 September 1880
    Newspaper mention 15 Dec 1880  [11] 
    "East Anglian Notes" in East Anglian Daily Times 
    'East Anglian Notes' from East Anglian Daily Times, 15 December 1880    		 "East Anglian Notes" from East Anglian Daily Times, 15 December 1880
    Newspaper mention 12 Mar 1881  [14] 
    Article entitled "Missions to Seaman" in the Ipswich Journal 
    Article entitled 'Missions to Seaman' in the Ipswich Journal     		Article entitled "Missions to Seaman" in the Ipswich Journal
    …So without having to call upon the Parent Society, they would be enabled to supply an excellent yacht for Mr. Pechell, the Scripture reader, to do his work in… As to the work that had been carried out, he might say, as he had said before, that Mr. Pechell had proved himself the right man in the right place, and he had been indefatigable — so useful had he been that the Parent Committee had, unasked, added to his income… They were singularly fortunate in the gentleman they had obtained for their Scripture reader, for Mr. Pechell had his whole soul in the work in which he was engaged. To carry on his work amongst the sailors who came into the port was to him a labour of love. They had an institution called a Sailor’s Home, which accommodated 10 men for board and lodging. Mr. Pechell went on board all vessels that came into this port, and he made it his business always to get the crews of vessels which stayed long in this port, if possible, to use the Sailors’ Home, where they were well cared for. If the men had taken their wages — and they often took very large sums of money — he always endeavoured to persuade them to send the greater part home to their friends. In the case of one ship Mr. Pechell had been the means by which the men sent home no less a sum than £200 to their friends… With this yacht [donated by Rev. Granville Smith] Mr. Pechell went up and down the river, and boarded every vessel which came, talked with the men, distributed tracts, and, where possible, held short services. He went down to Harwich, where he would find, perhaps, as many as 300 or 400 fishing smacks lying, and he would hold short services where they lay together. He was told on all hands that Mr. Pechell was doing a vast amount of good. He would go as far as the Cork Lightship, where the men were very glad to see him…
    The Mayor said he forgot to mention that Mr. R. [sic] Pechell informed him that he was much in want of a new dingy to be attached to the yacht, and if anyone would provide a dingy it would be very acceptable.
    Mr. Pechell then gave an account of his work during the past year, and he expressed his gratitude for the encouragement he had received from the clergymen and inhabitants of Ipswich and Harwich. He said that much of the success which had attended his efforts was due to the encouragement he had received. He also found that he derived much advantage in his work from having been a sailor himself, by which he fount it easier to mingle with the men, and to enable them to understand each other. He explained the nature of his work, and gave instances which showed that it had been attended with success. He also stated the need he had of a new dingy. He had to do all his work in the boat, and the one he had had become old and leaky.
    Census 03 Apr 1881 
    Christchurch Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [15]
    Age: 44 
    1881 Census: Christchurch Street, Ipswich    		 1881 Census: Christchurch Street, Ipswich
    Occupation 03 Apr 1881  [15] 
    Missionary to Seamen 
    Newspaper mention 23 Apr 1881  [16] 
    Note on his talk concerning the Seamans' Mission recorded in The Ipswich Journal. 
    Local news for Witnesham, Ipswich Journal, April 23, 1881.     		Local news for Witnesham, Ipswich Journal, April 23, 1881.
    Newspaper mention 16 Jul 1881  [17] 
    Advert entitled "Missions to Seamen" in the Ipswich Journal 
    Advert entitled 'Missions to Seamen' in the Ipswich Journal    		 Advert entitled "Missions to Seamen" in the Ipswich Journal
    On Tuesday next the new mission yawl, Helen, will be anchored off the Umbrella between the hours of three and eight o’clock and the missionary, Mr. Thos. Pechell, will be in attendance to take off those wishing to look over the vessel, and to give information concerning the mission.
    Newspaper mention 19 Jul 1881  [18] 
    Notice in The Ipswich Journal 
    Notice in The Ipswich Journal    		 Notice in The Ipswich Journal
    This (Tuesday) afternoon, from three o’clock till eight o’clock in the evening, the Orwell mission yacht, Helen, will be anchored off the Umbrella, at the end of the Dock promenade. Mr. Pechell, the missionary, will be in attendance to show the vessel to visitors, and to explain the objects of the Mission, its work, &c.
    Newspaper mention 11 Feb 1882  [19] 
    News about "Somersham" in The Ipswich Journal 
    News about 'Somersham' in The Ipswich Journal (11 Feb 1882)    		 News about "Somersham" in The Ipswich Journal (11 Feb 1882)
    …After tea the rector (Rev. Goodrich Langley) gave a short address, and introduced Mr. Pechell (Seamen’s Missionary) who exhibited his magic lantern, by which he showed first, a set of Scripture subjects, of ships and sea views, and also a set of temperance studies, contrasting the difference between the sober and the drunken home, and all these were explained by Mr. Pechell to the audience… At the close the Record thanked Mr. Pechell…
    Newspaper mention 21 Feb 1882  [20] 
    Article on "The Missions to Seamen Society" in the Ipswich Journal. 
    Article on 'The Missions to Seamen Society', Ipswich Journal, 1882.    		 Article on "The Missions to Seamen Society", Ipswich Journal, 1882.
    But none of these ladies and gentlemen would have so exerted themselves if the did not know, from actual observation, that Mr. Thomas Pechell, the agent of the Missions to Seamen, was instant in season and out of season, at the risk of health and even life, in unsparing labours for seamen. (Applause). The noble and unselfish work thus done for seamen of all nations visiting Ipswich, sets the general Committee the more free to relieve the spiritual destitution of the shipping and barges elsewhere.
    Occupation 24 Feb 1883  [21] 
    By this date Thomas has left the Mission, as the Mission’s annual report mentions a Mr. Keeble as the missioner. 
    Census 05 Apr 1891 
    St. Stephen's Church House, River Street, Islington, London, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [22]
    Age: 52 
    1891 Census: St Stephen's Church House, River Street, Islington    		 1891 Census: St Stephen's Church House, River Street, Islington
    Occupation 05 Apr 1891 
    St. Stephen's Church, Canonbury Road, Islington, London, England Find all individuals with events at this location
    		  [22]
    Verger of St Stephen Church, Canonbury 
    St. Stephen's Church, Canonbury (exterior)    		 St. Stephen's Church, Canonbury (exterior)
    Census 31 Mar 1901 
    12 Spa Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [23]
    Age: 65 
    1901 Census: 12 Spa Road, Southampton    		 1901 Census: 12 Spa Road, Southampton
    Occupation 31 Mar 1901 
    All Saints Parish Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [23]
    Verger of All Saints Church, Southampton 
    Newspaper mention 24 Jan 1903  [24] 
    "All Saints’ Church Choir" in the Hampshire Advertiser 
    'All Saints’ Church Choir' in the Hampshire Advertiser, 24 January 1903    		 "All Saints’ Church Choir" in the Hampshire Advertiser, 24 January 1903
    The members of this choir together, with several office bearers of the church, spent a very enjoyable time at Scullard’s Restaurant, Above Bar, on the occasion of the annual choir supper…
    Document written 1 Aug 1906 
    12 Spa Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [25]
    Autobiography of Thomas Pechell, written to support his application for accommodation at St. Cross Hospital, Winchester. 
    Account of the life of Thomas Pechell    		 Account of the life of Thomas Pechell (5)
    Residence 6 Mar 1907 
    12 Spa Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [26]
    Died 6 Mar 1907 
    Southampton, Hampshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [26]
    Age: 71 
    Cause: Senile Decay 
    Death Certificate: Thomas Pechell (1907)    		 Death Certificate: Thomas Pechell (1907)
    Buried
    Sarah Pechell, 1906 and Thomas Pechell, 1907, Southampton Old Cemetery    		 Sarah Pechell, 1906 and Thomas Pechell, 1907, Southampton Old Cemetery
    Person ID I91 
    Cocks/Baker
    Last Modified 9 Jan 2018 

    Father George Carl 
    Mother Sarah Richards,   b. Abt 1816 
    Family ID F267 
    Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sarah Pells,   b. Bef 10 Sep 1820, Gorleston, Suffolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Jun 1906, Southampton, Hampshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age > 85 years) 
    Married 5 Apr 1865 
    St. Andrew's Church, Gorleston, Suffolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location
    		  [5]
    Marriage Certificate: Thomas Pechell and Sarah Cocks    		 Marriage Certificate: Thomas Pechell and Sarah Cocks
    Last Modified 25 Nov 2013 
    Family ID F192 
    Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsComment - Admitted into the Foundling Hospital (number 19,877). - 5 Mar 1836 - Foundling Hospital, Saint Pancras, Middlesex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChristened - 6 Mar 1836 - Foundling Hospital, Saint Pancras, Middlesex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - Age: 5 - 06 Jun 1841 - The Foundling Hospital, St Pancras, Middlesex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Apprenticed at John Harris, Smack Owner and Fisherman. - 6 Aug 1850 - Barking, Essex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Apprenticed to Sam Hewitt, Fisherman. - 30 May 1851 - Barking, Essex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Believed to have been involved with the Thames Church Mission. The TCM was a forerunner to the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. - Abt 1853 - Barking, Essex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Seaman - 5 Apr 1865 - Gorleston, Suffolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 5 Apr 1865 - St. Andrew's Church, Gorleston, Suffolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Abt Aug 1877 - 28 Withipole Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Missionary to Seamen - Abt Aug 1877 - Ipswich, Suffolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Verger of St Stephen Church, Canonbury - 05 Apr 1891 - St. Stephen's Church, Canonbury Road, Islington, London, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus - Age: 65 - 31 Mar 1901 - 12 Spa Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Verger of All Saints Church, Southampton - 31 Mar 1901 - All Saints Parish Church, Southampton, Hampshire, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDocument written - Autobiography of Thomas Pechell, written to support his application for accommodation at St. Cross Hospital, Winchester. - 1 Aug 1906 - 12 Spa Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 6 Mar 1907 - 12 Spa Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Age: 71,Cause: Senile Decay - 6 Mar 1907 - Southampton, Hampshire, England Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Notes 
    • The 1883 edition of Sunday at Home has an article entitled "The Fishermen of the North Sea", probably written by Ebenezer Mather. Pg 200 includes the quote "My first run to Dogger Bank was made in one of Messrs. Hewett and Co.’s Steam Fish Carriers, nine of which ply between the Fleets and Billingsgate. When Barking was the sole depot, the agents of the Thames Church Mission constantly visited the smacksmen, but the introduction of steam drove them to Gorleston on the Norfolk coast, and for twenty years little more had been done for their benefit than the occasional despatch of tracts, books, and illustrated papers from Billingsgate.

  • Sources 
    1. [S155] Archives: Foundling Hospital.

    2. [S4] Website: Familysearch, link.

    3. [S368] 1841 Census.

    4. [S288] Memoir of Thomas Pechell, 111M94W/K2/32/19.

    5. [S29] Marriage Certificate: Thomas Pechell and Sarah Cocks.

    6. [S46] 1871 Census.

    7. [S363] A Church Work Amongst Sailors in 64 Home Ports, The Lower House of the Convocation of Canterbury, (Church of England).

    8. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, link, Tuesday, October 9, 1877; Issue 7568; pg 2.

    9. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, link, Saturday, October 20, 1877; Issue 7572; pg 9.

    10. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, link, Saturday, January 5, 1878; Issue 7595; pg 5.

    11. [S361] Newspaper: East Anglian Daily Times, 2.

    12. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, Saturday February 07 1880, issue 7812, pg 7.

    13. [S361] Newspaper: East Anglian Daily Times, 5.

    14. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, Saturday March 12 1881, issue 7930, pg 7.

    15. [S47] 1881 Census.

    16. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, Saturday April 23 1881, issue 7942, pg 8.

    17. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, Saturday July 16 1881, issue 7966, pg 8.

    18. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, Tuesday July 19 1881, issue 7967, pg 2.

    19. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, link, Saturday February 11 1882, issue 8021, pg 5.

    20. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, Tuesday, February 21, 1882; Issue 8023; pg 3.

    21. [S59] Newspaper: The Ipswich Journal, link, Saturday February 24 1883, issue 8075, pg 8.

    22. [S48] 1891 Census.

    23. [S49] 1901 Census.

    24. [S362] Newspaper: Hampshire Advertiser, 6.

    25. [S192] Archives: St Cross Hospital Winchester Application Papers.

    26. [S292] Death Certificate: Thomas Pechell (1907).