His Early Life
Thomas was born on the farm of Chilton, near Morpeth, Northumberland. The farm was held in the family for over 200 years, Thomas' grandfather died there at the unusual age of 104. Thomas went to school at Stannington and finished off at the Morpeth Grammar School. From his youth he possessed a more than unusual desire for reading, which the library at Stannington afforded him a favourable opportunity of indulging.
His First Start in Life
When he was a young man he leased a farm named 'World's End' on the Ogle Estate. (Kirkley Hall Estate is now the home to Northumberland Agricutural College). Besides being a hard working farmer, Thomas was a most successful florist, particularly his dahlia growing, showing and judging. While at World's End he married a 'highly estimable' lady, Miss Bridget Bower, whose relations farmed at Seaton Deleval estate. Thomas and Bridget had five children John Matthew (married Sarah Ellen), Elizabeth Ann, Jane, Mary and Bridget (married Ted Reed).
Moved to Jarrow
After the termination of his lease at World's End he took possession of the lease at Red House Farm in May 1861. "Being a strong, able-bodied, powerfully built man he entered on his agricultural duties with the vigour and determination which were his most prominent characteristics". Confining himself to his farm, little was known of him outside until 1863 when preparations were being made to celebrate the marriage of the Prince of Wales - being in want of carts to convey the bonfire timber from the shipyard to the ballast hill, with natural readiness to oblige 'the most liberal assistance was given'. This was Thomas' first introduction to the leading men of the town. (Clearly he liked to get the party started!).
As an Agriculturalist
Thomas stood very high in the estimation of his brother farmers. Not only did he cultivate his farm in a 'highly skilfull and succcessful manner', his enlightened judgement was frequently called upon in the valuing of crops and stocks and in arbitration cases. He was a ploughman of 'considerably more than average excellence' and took a lively interest in all ploughing matches in the district and did his utmost to encourage youths `'to plough and sow and to reap and mow".
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| Steam Ploughing in 1800s |
Thomas was elected a member of the South Shields Board of Guardians to oversee The South Shields Poor Law Union. The board represented six constituent parishes, including two workhouses and cottage homes providing accommodation for pauper children. It was a principle with Thomas to do his utmost to ascertain his exact legal status in whatever public position he filled, so that on the one hand the public did not suffer any hardship through the exercise of a power he did not possess and on the other hand that the interests of the public were not ignored through insufficient exercise of that power. 'In this respect he was a model representative'. His colleagues gave him credit for the regularity and punctuality of his attendance. Unlike many public men who get into a public position, merely to gratify their vanity, Thomas appeared to accept them because he relished the work they entailed.
Administration of Local Affairs
Thomas was well known and highly respected in Jarrow. By all accounts, the elevation to Alderman and to the position of chief magistrate was no 'unmeaningful compliment'. He held the office of the 4th Mayor of Jarrow in 1877-78.
Conclusion
"His portly and commanding figure will long be remembered my many sincere friends and taking him altogether it will be a long time before we get such an able, enlightened and liberal minded representative. Though well versed in the history of our own and many other counties, Alderman Gray never was a political squabbler. Will within the last few years he had been a moderate - a very moderate - Liberal, but after Mr Gladstone renounced statesmanship and adopted the profession of a political acrobat, he joined the Conservatives. It is due to the deceased gentleman to say that in no instance was his popularity due to political card shuffling. He was an honest, upright, outspoken and fearless man".
Editors note: with two more newspaper columns of praise to go, even as a proud descendant I'm starting to feel just a little nauseous! Skipping to the footer and I am pleased to read that "in his private life he was much respected and beloved, he had sociable qualities rendering him a pleasant companion and acquaintance, while his fund of humour and anecdote was inexhaustible".
Conclusion
"His portly and commanding figure will long be remembered my many sincere friends and taking him altogether it will be a long time before we get such an able, enlightened and liberal minded representative. Though well versed in the history of our own and many other counties, Alderman Gray never was a political squabbler. Will within the last few years he had been a moderate - a very moderate - Liberal, but after Mr Gladstone renounced statesmanship and adopted the profession of a political acrobat, he joined the Conservatives. It is due to the deceased gentleman to say that in no instance was his popularity due to political card shuffling. He was an honest, upright, outspoken and fearless man".
Editors note: with two more newspaper columns of praise to go, even as a proud descendant I'm starting to feel just a little nauseous! Skipping to the footer and I am pleased to read that "in his private life he was much respected and beloved, he had sociable qualities rendering him a pleasant companion and acquaintance, while his fund of humour and anecdote was inexhaustible".
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