Thomas John Hughes (1888 - 1933)

Born 1888 in Walton on the Hill, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Kathleen (Dowling) Hughes — married 1919 in Thanet, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Died 14 Apr 1933 at about age 45 in At Sea

Biography

Thomas was born in 1888, son of James and Ann. In the 1891 census Thomas (age 3) was living with his parents and siblings at Walton on the Hill, Lancashire, England. His parents were both born in Wales and his father was a draper. ^[1]

In the 1911 census Thomas (age 23, Draper) was living with his parents at 39 Breeze Hill, Bootle.^[2] A year later he founded the discount store chain bearing his name "T J Hughes".

He married Kathleen Dowling in 1919 ^[3] and the couple had 3 daughters; Brenda, Valerie and Shirley.

Thomas died on 14 April 1933 on board a steamship bound for Belfast. He took his own life following a period of ill health and strain through overwork. His estate passed probate on 25 May 1933 in Liverpool, England.^{[4] [5]}

Sources

1. ↑ 1891 Census: "1891 England Census"
   The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 2978; Folio: 101; Page: 29; GSU roll: 6098088
   Ancestry uk Record 6598 #4004888 (accessed 7 March 2022)
   Thomas John Hughes (3) son in household of James Hughes (48) in West Derby registration district. Born in Walton, Lancashire, England.
2. ↑ 1911 Census: "1911 England Census"
   The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
   Ancestry uk Record 2352 #26168855 (accessed 7 March 2022)
   Thomas John Hughes (23), single son, Draper, in household of James Hughes (68) at 39 Breeze Hill Bootle. Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England.
3. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005"
   General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 2a; Page: 2973
   Ancestry uk Record 8753 #65493661 (accessed 7 March 2022)
   Thomas J Hughes marriage in Apr 1919.
4. ↑ Probate: "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995"
   Ancestry uk Record 1904 #1044208 (accessed 7 March 2022)
   Thomas John Hughes probate on 25 May 1933 in Liverpool, England. Died 14 Apr 1933 in Cheshire, England.
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/188488492/thomas-john-hughes : accessed 07 March 2022), memorial page for Thomas John Hughes (1888–14 Apr 1933), Find a Grave Memorial ID 188488492, citing Anfield Cemetery and Crematorium, Anfield, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, Merseyside, England ; Maintained by Andrew Brough (contributor 48094688) .

See also:

• https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/nostalgia/bizarre-death-store-giant-tj-19977302
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._J._Hughes