Thomas Moorhouse was the fourth son of Thomas Moorhouse (1809-1845) and Martha, and was born on 4th April 1841 when the family were renting Hesliker Farm [now called Heslaker on modern maps] from The Tempest Estate.

After the death of his father Thomas in 1845 the family moved to The Bull Inn at Broughton (which they rented from The Tempest Estate). In 1851 Thomas was living at The Bull and was described as a scholar on the census [see Census/Bull Inn for copy]. By 1861 Thomas was lodging in Bingley and working as a Book Keeper.

On the 31st August 1868 he married Mary Ann Birtwhistle at The Parish Church of Christ in Oakworth and his brother Edward was a witness. He is listed as living at Oakworth Hall, (where his aunt Ann Haggas used to live) Keighley and his job is recorded as a Foreman in a worsted mill. His Aunt Ann had married John Haggas (who founded the Keighley firm of worsted manufacturers) and Thomas would have been employed in the family business.

 

The couple had four children, John Edward (born 1869), Arthur (born 1877), Martha (born 1878), and Florence (born 1880).

 

In 1871 Edward and his family are still living at Oakworth Hall and his job is still described as Foreman in a Worsted Mill. By 1881 Thomas and his family have moved to Bradford and his job is listed as a "stuff" Warehouse Manager [I'm still investigating "stuff" but it is associated with textiles]. On the 1891 census his job is the same but the family have moved house within Bradford. [compilation of census information]

On the 1901 census Thomas, aged 60 is working as a 'stuff' merchant clerk and living with his wife and three of his children and a grandchild.