posted by Sandy on Ancestors of Sandra Gale

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Thomas Winterbottom was born in England to Samuel Winterbottom and Hannah Lees.  We do not know if he had siblings.  Nothing is known about his childhood.  In 1861 he married ancestor Elizabeth Sant.  Over the next nine years they became the parents of six children.  The youngest, Hannah Elizabeth Winterbottom was born one month after her father’s death. She is our direct ancestor.  Hannah married Justin Pugmire.

Thomas and his wife lived on a boat along with their children.  What a challenge it must have been to keep the children safe.  He was a waterman which means he drove the boats up and down the river hauling freight.   When Thomas, Elizabeth and her family heard the message of the Restored Gospel from missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints they were baptized.  All made plans to emigrate to America with others from their area who had also joined the Church.  However, in 1870, at the young age of twenty-eight, Thomas fell from the boat, was caught and drowned.   Elizabeth Sant Winterbottom was left to care for her children alone.

Elizabeth’s parents and some siblings made the voyage to America.  It was some years before Elizabeth, the widow, was able to save the money to make the voyage with her children.  Portraits of Elizabeth, her children, her parents and siblings were taken later in their lives.  There is no likeness of Thomas Winterbottom that we have found.  This painting may help us to remember him.  He is our direct ancestor.

The migration of Thomas Winterbottom

England

Tags: england, Lees, Pugmire, Sant, the mormon church, Winterbottom