George HOPGOOD ( - )

Thomas Allen HOPGOOD (c. 1846-1925). Thomas was born c. 1846 in Abbotts Ann, Hampshire.¹ He was baptised on 19 Apr 1846 in Abbotts Ann. - father George, mother Ann.² Thomas married Alice RAINBIRT on 22 Dec 1870 in Colchester, Essex - reg: Colchester Essex; groom's father George, a blacksmith; bride's father Samuel.^3,4 He appeared in the census in 1871 at Brook Hill Road in Woolwich, London - 25, corporal in Army Service Corps, living with wife Alice (21).⁵ He appeared in the census in 1881 at Shot Tar Wharf, Lambeth, London in Lambeth, London - 35, wharf manager, living with wife Alice (31), sons Charles W (3) and Leonard (1) and grandmother Mary HURRELL (55, bricklayers wife) [place believed to be 'Shot Tower Wharf' in Lambeth, where his father was the wharf manager, used for making lead shot and balls up till the 1960s].⁶ He appeared in the census in 1891 at Magdalen Street, St Botolph in Colchester - 45, restaurant keeper, living with wife Alice (41), sons Charles W (12, scholar) and Leonard R (11, scholar), and boarders Leonard O'BAILEY (22, cabinet maker) and Hebert WOODWARD (18, gardener).⁷ On 16 Jun 1898 he lived at The Waveney Hotel in Diss, Norfolk. - The Waveney Hotel as named in Leonard Hopgood's military service record as the residence of Thomas Allen [father], Alice [mother] and Charles Walter [brother] appears to have several names. It is also seen as 'Waveney Temperance Hotel' and 'Coffee Tavern'. The building is now the 'Happy Palace' chinese restaurant on St. Nicholas Street. The hotel is named in "Hawes' Hand Book to Temperance Hotels" by C. W. Hawes, published in 1888. Thomas appeared in the census in 1901 at The Waveney Temperance Hotel, St, Nicholas Street in Diss - 55, temperance hotel keeper, living with wife Alice (50) and domestic servants Clara BARR (16) and Agnes SPARKES (15).⁸ On 15 Jul 1905 there was a newspaper report: Norwich Mercury - 15 July 1905

MILK CASE

Samuel Hewett, dairyman, Diss, was charged with selling milk containing less than three per cent. of fat. Inspector Robinson deposed to the purchase of the milk, and produced the certificate of the County Analyst. This showed that the quantity of the fat was 2.79 per cent. Mr. Harold Warnes, who defended, contended that the three per cent. must not be accepted as a minimum, and quoted the case of Wolfenden v. McCulloch, heard in the Court of Appeal last April, in support of his contention. Defendant swore that the milk was sold to the Inspector in exactly the same condition as it was taken from the cow. The Bench dismissed the case.

There was a similar charge against Harry Youngman, dairyman, Roydon, the certificate showing a percentage of 2.54 of fat. Defendant called witness to prove the milk had not been interfered with, and the case was dismissed.

Thomas Allen Hopgood, coffee tavern keeper, Diss, was charged with a similar offence. In this case the certificate showed there was a percentage of 2.31 of butter fat. Defendant pleaded that he bought the milk of dairymen to use in the house, and sold some to the inspector for refreshment. He had no written warranty. Fined 1s.

In 1906 the Electoral Register showed him living at St. Nicholas Street in Diss. -⁹

Thomas appeared in the census in 1911 at The Temperance Hotel in Diss - 65, temperance hotel keeper, living with wife Alice (61) and waitresses Florence BLOOMFIELD (19) and Fanny FOREMAN (15).¹⁰ In 1915 the Electoral Register showed him living at 22 St. Nicholas Street in Diss.⁹ Thomas died on 4 Mar 1925 in Reading, Berkshire.¹¹ He was buried on 9 Mar 1925 in Caversham, Berkshire. - Hemdean Road Cemetery.¹² Thomas had his estate probated on 16 Apr 1925 in London - "HOPGOOD Thomas Allen of 31 Chester-street Caversham Oxfordshire died 4 March 1925 Probate London 16 April to Alice Hopgood widow. Effects £510 16s.".