Thomas Ethell

Thomas Ithill (ETHELL) 1759 - 1842

The Foundling

Thomas Ithill (Ethell), who was my 4x Great Grandfather, was born as William Smith, on the 3rd August 1759 at Prees,Shropshire, the illegitimate son of Ann Smith, the father being Francis Reynolds, a married man.

Paper left with Thomas

Between 1756 and 1760, The Foundling Hospital, London, and other similar places in England were obliged to accept all children offered to it and many Parishes throughout England saw this as a way of disposing of illegitimate children who were a charge on the parish.

The Foundling Hospital

Thomas Ithill (William Smith) was one of these children who were placed in the Foundling Hospital and given a new name. From the Foundling Hospital Register, on the 4th September 1759 a male child about one month old requiring a wet nurse was admitted being given number 13853, the child was born in Prees Parish,Shropshire, 3rd August 1759, No 13853 named Thomas Ithill.

After nine years at the Foundling Hospital, Thomas was sent to Ackworth Hospital,near Pontefract,Yorkshire. Two years later on the 9th June 1768 he was apprenticed to John Frear of Norton,near Malton,Yorkshire,a Farmer, to be employed in Husbandry.

Thomas Ithill (Ethell) married Deborah Rose in Scampston Chapel,near Rillington,Yorkshire, on the 12th February 1782, they had three children :-

John. born 1782

Richard. born 1784

Hannah. born 1790.

Marriage Bond of

Thomas Ithill & Deborah Rose

When Thomas died at the age of 83 years he had 24 grandchildren.

Scampston Chapel

For more details see Ethell Descendants.