Thomas Lant of Romsey, Hampshire England
1778-1853

Compiled by Jerry Faerber

THOMAS LANT was most likely born in Hampshire, England in the 1770s. The actual birthdate is about 1778 if we are to believe the age at time of death. Lant relatives have been searching for his birth for over 50 years. The age as stated in 1841 census for adults was sometimes rounded off to nearest 5 years. So the recorded age of 50 at that time may not be accurate. His birthplace in 1841 census was stated as "not Yorkshire". In the 1851 census it was a ditto mark for the person above him, (Romsey Extra, Hampshire).

There is a research letter regarding a Thomas Liant born in Eling about 3 May 1772, son of John and Mary Liant. There is no record of their marriage in Eling. Eling, Hampshire is a small town Southwest of Romsey.

Thomas’s wife, Ann Pearce, was from Michelmersh, Hampshire, and his first seven children were born in Michelmersh, Romsey and Gosport, Hampshire. Also, Thomas died in Romsey, Hampshire. So this is the basis for assuming that he was probably born in Hampshire, England.

Hampshire is a county in the south central part of England. It is noted mainly as an agricultural area and the large port city of Southampton. Romsey is a small town northwest of Southampton.

Ann Pearce was baptized the 14 Aug 1803 in Michelmersh. She was daughter of David Pearce and Sarah Paine. She had 5 older brothers and sisters. Her ancestors were from Michelmersh for at least four generations. Michelmersh is a small village near Romsey. Refer to map for location of places (Romsey, Michelmersh, Awbridge, Wellow, Timsbury, Eling) mentioned in this story. Most of the towns are nearby.

The marriage of Thomas Lant and Ann Pearce took place in nearby county of Sussex in a coastal town of Worthing. The marriage is recorded in the parish records of St Mary's church in Broadwater parish. A photo of the ancient church in which Ann Pearce and Thomas Lant were married on 7 Dec 1825 can be seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary's_Church,_Broadwater.

St. Mary's church in Broadwater parish is located in the town of Worthing in West Sussex (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worthing). It says that Worthing was an elegant Georgian seaside resort town beginning in the late 1700's. Since (we think) Ann Pearce and Thomas Lant were both from Romsey, Hampshire, yet the marriage certificate lists Ann Pearce as a spinster "of this parish" (Broadwater), perhaps Ann Pearce had gotten a job there at Worthing in Sussex, and Thomas Lant had gotten a job up in West Grinstead parish, Sussex (since he was listed as a bachelor of West Grinstead parish on the marriage certificate). Ann's sister Mary, who acted as witness for Ann & Thomas' marriage, had married John Pointer at East or West Wellow, Hampshire on 20 Oct 1825....perhaps Mary's husband had gotten a job at Worthing, and perhaps Ann was staying with the Pointers.

 

The birth of Alice Lant, oldest child of Thomas Lant and Ann Pearce was about 1824 based on her age at time of death. I have searched for her birth record without success. The only longshot is the baptism of Alice to Fanny Pearce (unmarried) illegitimate in Romsey 27 June 1824. Fanny Pearce, daughter of James and Sarah Pearce, was baptized 6 August 1797 in Michelmersh. Fanny Pearce was likely a close relative of Ann Pearce. Possibly this Alice Pearce was adopted by Thomas and Ann Lant.

The next child was William Lant, baptized 11 Jun 1826, son of Thomas and Ann Lant in Michelmersh. Thomas Lant was listed as a laborer.

Thomas Lant was baptized 8 Jun 1828, son of Thomas and Ann Lant in Michelmersh. The father, Thomas Lant was listed as a laborer .

The next son, David Lant, was baptized 14 Mar 1830, son of Thomas and Ann Lant in Romsey. Thomas Lant was listed as navigator abode Romsey.

Birth of John Lant was 21 Jan 1832 in Alverstoke, Hampshire near Gosport. It is a small village east of Romsey, just north of the railroad line near the coast. Thomas Lant is listed as a mariner. The fact that Thomas was working for the railroad would account for a different birthplace.

Ellen Lant was baptized 26 Oct 1834, daughter of Thomas and Ann Lant, in Romsey. Thomas Lant was listed as a surveyor abode Abridge.

Lydia Lant was baptized 20 Nov 1836, daughter of Thomas and Ann Lant, in Romsey. Thomas Lant was listed as a road contractor abode Hundred, which is near Romsey.

Edwin Lant was born 26 Dec 1838, son of Thomas and Ann Lant, in Chadderton, Ashton and Oldham, Lancashire. Thomas Lant was listed as a railway overlooker living at Denton Lane Chadderton.

By this time the Thomas Lant family started moving around to follow the work on the Railroad. From their original home in Hampshire they first went north to Lancashire, then to Yorkshire.

Thomas Lant’s wife Ann Pearce Lant died 20 Aug 1840 at Thornes (Thomas) Lane, Alverthorpe, Wakefield, Yorkshire. She was listed as wife of Thomas Lant, Railway superintendant. Cause of death was noted as a visitation of God.

1841 Census:

Thomas Lant family resided at Bethel Place, parish of Alverthorpe, Wakefield, Yorkshire.

The age as stated in 1841 census for adults was rounded off to nearest 5 years sometimes. So Thomas’s age of 50 could be 50-54. His occupation was "sub-contractor". His birthplace in 1841 census was stated as "not Yorkshire".

Children: 

    Alice Lant 15-19
    William Lant 15-19
    Thomas Lant 13 years
    David Lant 11 years
    John Lant 9 years
    Ellen Lant 7 years
    Lydia Lant 5 years
    Edwin Lant 3 years

An interesting note is that the George Woodhead family lived within a few blocks of the Lant family. John Lant would later marry Ann Woodhead in 1853. Perhaps they became acquainted during their years in Wakefield.

Thomas Lant the son of Thomas Lant born 8 June 1828 supposedly died 1842 in Yorkshire. He is in the 1841 census but not in the death registration index for 1842.

Alice Lant died 14 Dec 1843 Walter St St. Martin, Liverpool, Lancaster daughter of Thomas Lant laborer. Her age was listed as 19.

David Lant was out on his own working for the railroad. In 1844 David Lant age 14 had an accident in his Railroad job. He lost his left arm and all but the first finger and thumb on his right hand.

David Lant railway porter son of Thomas Lant railway porter was married to widow Elizabeth Harding daughter of William Hurley laborer 25 Feb 1850 at the Parish church, Liverpool, Lancaster. Their residence was Chester Street in Liverpool. The two witnesses were not close relatives.

By 1851 Thomas was not able to take care of his children. They were all out on their own or being cared for by relatives.

1851 Census:

Thomas Lant has been located in the 1851 census. He was living at Romsey Union with Sarah Southwell house servant in Romsey Extra listed as Thomas Peace excavator age 75. Note Sarah Southwell is the same woman who signed his death record in 1853. Since Thomas Lant was listed as Peace (Pearce) in 1851 census, this may have been an example to his son Edward, who would later use the Pearce name in census records.

There is also a letter in the Romsey Poor Law Union minute book for 1851 dated 15 Dec 1851 which stated: "A letter was received from the clerk of the Eling Union, reporting that Thomas Lant, a pauper of Romsey Extra, was ill in the Workhouse of that Union and applying for an order for his admission to Romsey Union Workhouse on the certificate of a surgeon that his illness would probably be lasting. This order the clerk was directed to forward." This confirms the census entry in Romsey Extra for Thomas Peace was really Thomas Lant.

David and Elizabeth Lant lived at Thornton Lane Ordsall, Retford, Nottinghamshire

The James Russell family was in Shirley Millbrook. Charlotte age 14 is listed as scholar.

The Woodheads lived in Wakefield, Yorkshire. Ann is 18 at home of her widowed mother.

Where were John and William Lant? We have looked for John in Liverpool Street London. He was not found in the 1851 census. William has not been located either.

Thomas Lant’s younger children Ellen and Edwin were living with John and Mary (Pearce) Pointer in Winsor Street Eling, Hampshire in 1851 census. Mary was the older sister of Ann Pearce wife of Thomas Lant. So the children were being cared for by their Aunt and Uncle. Lidea (Lydia) Lant was working as a house servant for James and Betsey Frost in nearby village of Ower.

David and Elizabeth Lant had a son Thomas Lant born 12 Dec 1851 Ordsall, East Retford, Nottingham. He only lived 10 min.

Ellen Lant age 19 spinster living in West Wellow daughter of Thomas Lant laborer and Henry Pointer age 22 bachelor laborer son of James and Sarah Pointer were married on 19 Jan 1852 Parish of Wellow, county of Hampshire witnesses James Pointer and Lydia Lant. Henry Pointer was born 16 March 1828 in Michelmersh.

William Lant reportedly died in 1852. He would have been about 26 years old.

David Lant joined the Mormon church 9 July 1852 in East Retford.

Thomas Lant died 1 Aug 1853 Romsey in Union workhouse. His occupation was listed as excavator age 75 years. Cause of death general decay. Death was noted by Sarah Southwell in attendance at Poorhouse Romsey Extra. Romsey, Southampton. His burial was 5 Aug 1853, recorded in the Romsey parish records.

John Lant , bachelor, baker son of Thomas Lant excavator and Ann Woodhead spinster daughter of George Woodhead deceased were married 23 Oct 1853 in the parish of Liverpool Street St Pancras (London), Middlesex, England. Witnesses were not close relatives. The birth record for John Lant's wife, Ann Woodhead, was 20 August 1832 in the Thornes church at Wakefield, near Alverthorpe in Yorkshire. She was the daughter of George and Harriet Woodhead. George was a mason. Their family has been located in the 1841 and 1851 census. Refer to separate story about John's family.

 

David and Elizabeth Lant sailed from Liverpool 22 April 1855 to New York. His family arrived in New York 22 May 1855. They arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah 24 Oct 1855.

Edward Lant, bachelor sailor son of Thomas Lant railway contractor and Charlotte Russell spinster daughter of James Russell laborer were married 6 Feb 1859 at the parish church new parish of Shirley, South Stoneham, county of Southampton. They were living in Shirley, South Stoneham, Hampshire. Charlotte Russell, the wife of Edward Lant was born in Millbrook. Her birth is recorded in the parish of Millbrook. She was baptized 22 Jan 1837. She is listed with her family in the census record in 1841 and 1851. Her parents were James and Mary Russell. James was listed as a labourer. Mary died 1 Aug 1858 before her daughter married. Refer to separate story about Edward’s family.

 

Edward Pointer was baptized 10 June 1860 son of Ellen (Lant) and Henry Pointer in West Wellow, Hampshire.

1861 census:

Ellen Lant and Henry Pointer and son Edward lived in West Wellow.

John and Ann Lant with 3 children lived in Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire.

Edward and Charlotte Lant lived in Millbrook, Hampshire.

Lydia Lant also lived in Millbrook, Hampshire with Edward and Charlotte.

Lydia Lant died 7 May 1863 Freemantle, Millbrook, South Stoneham, age 26 domestic servant

Ellen Lant Pointer died 26 May 1864 in Freemantle, Millbrook, South Stoneham. Her husband later married Ann Grant on 27 Feb 1865. They had three more children. Henry Pointer died 9 September 1875 in Dorking, Surrey.

1871 Census:

Edward and Charlotte (Lant) Pearce with 4 children in 21 Crown Garden St Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex.

John and Ann Lant were living with their seven children in West Melton, Brampton Bierlow near Wath upon Dearne in York, England.

1881 Census:

Edward and Charlotte (Lant) Pearce with 6 children are at 15 Kender St., Deptford, London.

John and Ann Lant with 7 children and 1 grandchild lived at 15 Claremont Street, St Philip and Jacobs, Bristol.

The 1881 index has been searched for Ellen and Henry Pointer. They were not found. There is an Edward Pointer age 22 born in Hampshire living in Newdigate, Surrey as a boarder with a Randall family. He was the son of Ellen Lant Pointer and Henry Pointer.

1891 Census:

Edward and Charlotte (Lant) Pearce with 2 sons were living at 15 Kender St., Deptford, London. Edward was listed as signal fitter R contractor.

John and Ann Lant with 4 children and 2 grandchildren were living at 31 Cadman Street, Wath upon Dearne, Yorkshire.

1901 census:

John and Ann Lant lived on Chapel Street, Wath upon Dearne.

Edward and Charlotte (Lant) Pearce lived at 15 Kender Street Deptford, Greenwich, London.

Edward Lant died 21 Oct 1901 age 62 at Cold Blow works, Deptford Central, Greenwich, London. He was signal fitter of 15 Kender street. Cause of death recorded as heart disease synapse. Death was registered by J. P. Lant, son.

Ann Lant wife of John Lant died 26 Oct 1902 age 70 at Sunnyside Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham, Yorkshire. Cause of death recorded as softening of brain 3 years. The death was registered by H. J. Lant, grandson.

John Lant died 9 June 1906 Chapel Street Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham, Yorkshire. age 74 oilworker manager. The cause of death was recorded as senile, gangrene. Death was registered by H. Lant, son.

Charlotte Lant died 23 September 1908, age 70. She was widow of Edward Lant an engine fitter. She lived at 1 Kender Street, Deptford Central, Greenwich , London. Cause of death was recorded as cerebral hemorrhage registered by W. H. Lant, son.

David Lant lived the longest of Thomas Lant’s children. He died 14 Nov 1908 in Payson, Utah.

Information Compiled
by Jerry Faerber

INTERNET Adaptation
by Sandra Shuler Bray