Biography by Diana Druback
Thomas Blake was born on January 30, 1886 at 45, Albert Road in Devonport, Devon, England. He was the fifth of twelve children born to George Blake (1856-1910) and Emma Jane Bravin Blake (1858-1928). His baptism was preformed on February 17, 1886 and it states that the family was living at 38 Travistock Street in Stoke. His father George was listed a a laborer. Thomas went through the 4th form in school and then apprenticed as a hoisting engineer (crane operator) in England. On April 6 1907, he sailed from Southampton, England on the S.S. St. Louis and arrived in New York on April 15, 1907. When Thomas first arrived, he worked as a trolley motorman at the Ninth Avenue Depot and lived at 106 Concord Street in Brooklyn, New York with his brother George. Thomas returned to England for a visit and arrived in Southampton, England on December 22, 1912. He sailed on the S.S. St. Paul. He departed Southampton for New York on the ship Oceanic on February 26, 1913. Thomas also lived at 311 Vanderbilt Street in Brooklyn with his brother George, and later their sister Catherine and her husband and daughter. Thomas eloped with Evangeline Anna Thomae (1899-1990) on December 20, 1915 in Harrison, New Jersey. Anna was just sixteen and Thomas was twenty-nine years old. Anna's mother was quite upset. She had wanted Anna to become a school teacher. The couple originally lived at 231 Warren in Harrison and then at 329 Central Avenue in Harrison (1915-1918). In 1916, Thomas worked at the Hyatt Roller Bearing Company in Harrison. Thomas and Anna purchased a house at 123 Duke Street in Kearny, New Jersey. They had five children, Thomas (1917-1981), Hilda (1920-2011), Evangeline (Lynn), Charles (1925-2008) and Albin (1927-2005). Thomas had a quiet and unassuming demeanor and he was a good father. He and Anna owned and operated E. A. Blake General Trucking and Blake Garage. He also worked as a master mechanic, pattern maker, machinist, and machine operator. On December 24, 1924, Thomas purchased John Feggetter Blake's (his deceased uncle) house at Port Monmouth, New Jersey for back taxes of $45.24. There was a beach across the dirt road in front of the house and the family used it as a vacation home. Thomas had two serious accidents during his life. In January 1920, he was jumping off the back of a truck when a tree branch went into his right eye and he lost the eye. His hair turn white overnight and he worn a glass eye for the rest of his life. He also lost parts of several of his fingers in an accident. In July of 1929, the whole family took a car trip to Niagara Falls, Canada. It was during prohibition in the United States and Thomas and Anna stopped on the last evening for a beer and then crossed the boarder back into the U.S. All of a sudden, there were lights, sirens and guns pointed at them. The police asked Thomas if he had any alcohol in the car. His response was "only what is in my stomach." In 1937, Thomas became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Anna and Thomas divorced on August 9, 1948. Thomas made two trips back to England to visit family, one in 1912 by ship and another in 1954 by plane. The last several years of his life he lived with his eldest son Thomas and his family. Thomas died on September 13, 1965 at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, New Jersey. Funeral services were held at the Dooley Colonial Home in Westfield, New Jersey and Thomas was buried in Section Woodside, Block C, Plot 102 in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
Sources:
Baptism rec www.findmypast.co.uk
Thomas Blake was born on January 30, 1886 at 45, Albert Road in Devonport, Devon, England. He was the fifth of twelve children born to George Blake (1856-1910) and Emma Jane Bravin Blake (1858-1928). His baptism was preformed on February 17, 1886 and it states that the family was living at 38 Travistock Street in Stoke. His father George was listed a a laborer. Thomas went through the 4th form in school and then apprenticed as a hoisting engineer (crane operator) in England. On April 6 1907, he sailed from Southampton, England on the S.S. St. Louis and arrived in New York on April 15, 1907. When Thomas first arrived, he worked as a trolley motorman at the Ninth Avenue Depot and lived at 106 Concord Street in Brooklyn, New York with his brother George. Thomas returned to England for a visit and arrived in Southampton, England on December 22, 1912. He sailed on the S.S. St. Paul. He departed Southampton for New York on the ship Oceanic on February 26, 1913. Thomas also lived at 311 Vanderbilt Street in Brooklyn with his brother George, and later their sister Catherine and her husband and daughter. Thomas eloped with Evangeline Anna Thomae (1899-1990) on December 20, 1915 in Harrison, New Jersey. Anna was just sixteen and Thomas was twenty-nine years old. Anna's mother was quite upset. She had wanted Anna to become a school teacher. The couple originally lived at 231 Warren in Harrison and then at 329 Central Avenue in Harrison (1915-1918). In 1916, Thomas worked at the Hyatt Roller Bearing Company in Harrison. Thomas and Anna purchased a house at 123 Duke Street in Kearny, New Jersey. They had five children, Thomas (1917-1981), Hilda (1920-2011), Evangeline (Lynn), Charles (1925-2008) and Albin (1927-2005). Thomas had a quiet and unassuming demeanor and he was a good father. He and Anna owned and operated E. A. Blake General Trucking and Blake Garage. He also worked as a master mechanic, pattern maker, machinist, and machine operator. On December 24, 1924, Thomas purchased John Feggetter Blake's (his deceased uncle) house at Port Monmouth, New Jersey for back taxes of $45.24. There was a beach across the dirt road in front of the house and the family used it as a vacation home. Thomas had two serious accidents during his life. In January 1920, he was jumping off the back of a truck when a tree branch went into his right eye and he lost the eye. His hair turn white overnight and he worn a glass eye for the rest of his life. He also lost parts of several of his fingers in an accident. In July of 1929, the whole family took a car trip to Niagara Falls, Canada. It was during prohibition in the United States and Thomas and Anna stopped on the last evening for a beer and then crossed the boarder back into the U.S. All of a sudden, there were lights, sirens and guns pointed at them. The police asked Thomas if he had any alcohol in the car. His response was "only what is in my stomach." In 1937, Thomas became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Anna and Thomas divorced on August 9, 1948. Thomas made two trips back to England to visit family, one in 1912 by ship and another in 1954 by plane. The last several years of his life he lived with his eldest son Thomas and his family. Thomas died on September 13, 1965 at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, New Jersey. Funeral services were held at the Dooley Colonial Home in Westfield, New Jersey and Thomas was buried in Section Woodside, Block C, Plot 102 in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
Sources:
Baptism rec www.findmypast.co.uk
Biography by Diana Druback
Thomas Blake was born on January 30, 1886 at 45, Albert Road in Devonport, Devon, England. He was the fifth of twelve children born to George Blake (1856-1910) and Emma Jane Bravin Blake (1858-1928). His baptism was preformed on February 17, 1886 and it states that the family was living at 38 Travistock Street in Stoke. His father George was listed a a laborer. Thomas went through the 4th form in school and then apprenticed as a hoisting engineer (crane operator) in England. On April 6 1907, he sailed from Southampton, England on the S.S. St. Louis and arrived in New York on April 15, 1907. When Thomas first arrived, he worked as a trolley motorman at the Ninth Avenue Depot and lived at 106 Concord Street in Brooklyn, New York with his brother George. Thomas returned to England for a visit and arrived in Southampton, England on December 22, 1912. He sailed on the S.S. St. Paul. He departed Southampton for New York on the ship Oceanic on February 26, 1913. Thomas also lived at 311 Vanderbilt Street in Brooklyn with his brother George, and later their sister Catherine and her husband and daughter. Thomas eloped with Evangeline Anna Thomae (1899-1990) on December 20, 1915 in Harrison, New Jersey. Anna was just sixteen and Thomas was twenty-nine years old. Anna's mother was quite upset. She had wanted Anna to become a school teacher. The couple originally lived at 231 Warren in Harrison and then at 329 Central Avenue in Harrison (1915-1918). In 1916, Thomas worked at the Hyatt Roller Bearing Company in Harrison. Thomas and Anna purchased a house at 123 Duke Street in Kearny, New Jersey. They had five children, Thomas (1917-1981), Hilda (1920-2011), Evangeline (Lynn), Charles (1925-2008) and Albin (1927-2005). Thomas had a quiet and unassuming demeanor and he was a good father. He and Anna owned and operated E. A. Blake General Trucking and Blake Garage. He also worked as a master mechanic, pattern maker, machinist, and machine operator. On December 24, 1924, Thomas purchased John Feggetter Blake's (his deceased uncle) house at Port Monmouth, New Jersey for back taxes of $45.24. There was a beach across the dirt road in front of the house and the family used it as a vacation home. Thomas had two serious accidents during his life. In January 1920, he was jumping off the back of a truck when a tree branch went into his right eye and he lost the eye. His hair turn white overnight and he worn a glass eye for the rest of his life. He also lost parts of several of his fingers in an accident. In July of 1929, the whole family took a car trip to Niagara Falls, Canada. It was during prohibition in the United States and Thomas and Anna stopped on the last evening for a beer and then crossed the boarder back into the U.S. All of a sudden, there were lights, sirens and guns pointed at them. The police asked Thomas if he had any alcohol in the car. His response was "only what is in my stomach." In 1937, Thomas became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Anna and Thomas divorced on August 9, 1948. Thomas made two trips back to England to visit family, one in 1912 by ship and another in 1954 by plane. The last several years of his life he lived with his eldest son Thomas and his family. Thomas died on September 13, 1965 at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, New Jersey. Funeral services were held at the Dooley Colonial Home in Westfield, New Jersey and Thomas was buried in Section Woodside, Block C, Plot 102 in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
Sources:
Baptism rec www.findmypast.co.uk
Thomas Blake was born on January 30, 1886 at 45, Albert Road in Devonport, Devon, England. He was the fifth of twelve children born to George Blake (1856-1910) and Emma Jane Bravin Blake (1858-1928). His baptism was preformed on February 17, 1886 and it states that the family was living at 38 Travistock Street in Stoke. His father George was listed a a laborer. Thomas went through the 4th form in school and then apprenticed as a hoisting engineer (crane operator) in England. On April 6 1907, he sailed from Southampton, England on the S.S. St. Louis and arrived in New York on April 15, 1907. When Thomas first arrived, he worked as a trolley motorman at the Ninth Avenue Depot and lived at 106 Concord Street in Brooklyn, New York with his brother George. Thomas returned to England for a visit and arrived in Southampton, England on December 22, 1912. He sailed on the S.S. St. Paul. He departed Southampton for New York on the ship Oceanic on February 26, 1913. Thomas also lived at 311 Vanderbilt Street in Brooklyn with his brother George, and later their sister Catherine and her husband and daughter. Thomas eloped with Evangeline Anna Thomae (1899-1990) on December 20, 1915 in Harrison, New Jersey. Anna was just sixteen and Thomas was twenty-nine years old. Anna's mother was quite upset. She had wanted Anna to become a school teacher. The couple originally lived at 231 Warren in Harrison and then at 329 Central Avenue in Harrison (1915-1918). In 1916, Thomas worked at the Hyatt Roller Bearing Company in Harrison. Thomas and Anna purchased a house at 123 Duke Street in Kearny, New Jersey. They had five children, Thomas (1917-1981), Hilda (1920-2011), Evangeline (Lynn), Charles (1925-2008) and Albin (1927-2005). Thomas had a quiet and unassuming demeanor and he was a good father. He and Anna owned and operated E. A. Blake General Trucking and Blake Garage. He also worked as a master mechanic, pattern maker, machinist, and machine operator. On December 24, 1924, Thomas purchased John Feggetter Blake's (his deceased uncle) house at Port Monmouth, New Jersey for back taxes of $45.24. There was a beach across the dirt road in front of the house and the family used it as a vacation home. Thomas had two serious accidents during his life. In January 1920, he was jumping off the back of a truck when a tree branch went into his right eye and he lost the eye. His hair turn white overnight and he worn a glass eye for the rest of his life. He also lost parts of several of his fingers in an accident. In July of 1929, the whole family took a car trip to Niagara Falls, Canada. It was during prohibition in the United States and Thomas and Anna stopped on the last evening for a beer and then crossed the boarder back into the U.S. All of a sudden, there were lights, sirens and guns pointed at them. The police asked Thomas if he had any alcohol in the car. His response was "only what is in my stomach." In 1937, Thomas became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Anna and Thomas divorced on August 9, 1948. Thomas made two trips back to England to visit family, one in 1912 by ship and another in 1954 by plane. The last several years of his life he lived with his eldest son Thomas and his family. Thomas died on September 13, 1965 at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, New Jersey. Funeral services were held at the Dooley Colonial Home in Westfield, New Jersey and Thomas was buried in Section Woodside, Block C, Plot 102 in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
Sources:
Baptism rec www.findmypast.co.uk
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