65. Thomas George Rawls (Henry Rawls , Henry , Christopher , Richard , Richard , William , Henry ) was born on 25 Jul 1861 in Beaminster, Dorset. He was christened on 13 Jul 1862 in Melplash, Dorset. He died on 29 Apr 1946 in Stump Cottage, Oxbridge, Netherbury, Dorset. He was buried in Melplash, Dorset. Thomas was employed as Gardener Domestic/Shepherd.
Sexton of the Church at Melplash, Dorset from 1902 to 1944 There is a wooden plaque bearing his name inside the church at Melplash in Dorset. It is situated on the wall next to his own pew. (application to erect an oak tablet to him is dated 24 July 1947. ref PE/MEL/CW 2/5)
Mentioned in the Church Yearbook called ‘The Commonplace Book, Melplash Parish, Dorset’ in which, over the years, by agreement among the members of the Parish Church Council, one or two sentences had been recorded each year since Easter 1924, when the book had been given to the church by Alice Theophilia Compton.
Entrys include:-On page 10 – dated April 10th 1929, at the Easter Vestry and Annual Church Meeting:
“2) Resignation of the Parish Clerk Mr Thomas George Rawls after 28 years of faithful service in that office. His father Henry Rawls preceded him as Parish Clerk of Melplash for 36 years:- thus father and son served in this office over a period of 64 years”
Then, in different handwriting:
“A year later Mr T.G. Rawls recommenced the duties of Parish Clerk”In 1939:
“ iv) That Mr T. G. Rawls our valued sexton at the age of 80 cut the Church Yard twice during the summer of 1941”
Easter Vestry Meeting – March 22nd 1944
4) The resignation of Mr T.G.Rawls as sexton after 42 years of faithful service. He and his father before him, making a total of 76 years serving in this capacity”
Easter Vestry and Annual Church Meeting – 9th April 1947
1) The loss the Parish had sustained in the death of Mr T. G. Rawls – for 42 years our faithful Clerk Sexton – he died on April 29th 1946
1891 census at Melplash, Shepard
1901 census gives surname as RAWLES ocupation as "shepard on farm", Mother Jane age 68 living with Thomas, Mary & William
Thomas married Mary Jane Mintern daughter of Edmond Mintern and Sarah Tizzard on 24 May 1886 in Melplash. Mary was born in 1860 in Beaminster, Dorset. She was buried in Melplash.
1861 Beaminster census gives Mary Mintern age 1, Grandaughter of John & Martha Tizzard
1881 census gives Mary, Servant age 20 at East Axnoller, Beaminster.
Thomas and Mary had the following children:
+ 72 M i William Edmund Rawls
68. John William Rawles (Christopher , Henry , Christopher , Richard , Richard , William , Henry ) was born about 1866 in Netherbury, Dorset. He was christened on 9 Jul 1865 in Melplash, Dorset.
1881 census, Farmers Boy, age 15, living with parents at Norton Lane
1891 census gives John W, Butcher age 25
1901 give John W living at 46 Bedford Terr., Bridport. Slaghterman
He had the following children:
+ 73 M i Edgar John Rawles
70. Henry Robert Rawles (Christopher , Henry , Christopher , Richard , Richard , William , Henry ) was born on 24 Feb 1870 in Nortons, Netherbury, Dorset. He died about 1952.
1901 Marylebone, Middlesex census gives Herny R age 20, Taylors Cutter
Henry married Alice Holman on 15 Jun 1895. Alice was born on 20 Feb 1873. She died about 1957.
They had the following children:
+ 74 M i Leslie Norman Rawles