The second child of John Hudson and his wife Mary (née Alt), Thomas was born at Sheepshed (now Shepshed), Leicestershire, in January 1798. He was baptised at St Botolph’s Church, Sheepshed, on 14th October in the same year.

The parish register for St Botolph’s Church records that on Wednesday 28th November 1821, ‘Thomas Hudson of this parish and Matilda Caudwell of this parish were married in this Church by banns’. Their marriage was witnessed by Thomas' younger brother Samuel Hudson and Catherine Lester.

Sarah Matilda Caldwell, the daughter of Samuel Caldwell and his wife Mary (née Oldershaw), was born at Hathern, Leicestershire, on 15th April 1800. She was known as Matilda.

Thomas and Matilda’s first child, Mary Elizabeth, was baptised on 21st July 1822. She was followed by Robert (baptised on 4th July 1824), Louisa (baptised on 8th October 1826), and Thomas (baptised on 1st July 1832). These first four children were all baptised at St Botolph’s Church.

Between 1832 and 1837 the family moved to Pinfold Street, Loughborough, where on 28th January 1837 their son Samuel was born. In July of the same year, their son Thomas died aged 7 and was buried in All Saints’ Churchyard, Loughborough, on 17th July 1839. Just over one year later on 30th September 1840 their daughter Louisa died aged 14. She was buried in the same churchyard on 4th October.

In his manuscripts, Thomas’ son Samuel recorded that for the first few years, Thomas was a farmer at Loughborough and that ‘when the first bobbin-net machine was invented he was one who first learned to make lace on the machine and with John Wootton owned and worked several machines ‘til the smash in the early 40’s.’

At the time of the 1841 census, Thomas, Matilda, and their children Mary Elizabeth and Samuel, were living at Pinfold Row, Loughborough. Thomas was recorded as being a lacemaker. John Wootton, a lacemaker, was also at the house.

By his sons’ account Thomas was a successful lacemaker. Samuel recalled ‘I remember during the bad time he made various kinds of goods on the lace machine and about ‘44’ made pattern lace of various width - also worsted and silk mitts and caps with elastic. Father and his partner were considered good workmen and noted for their ability to turn out well finished work which, with the highly complicated machines, was very puzzling. When a lad, I have heard tell how others would watch and by trickery try to find out their plan, and to baffle which queer locks and latches was put on the doors, and windows nailed, all of us being supplied keys or had to knock before we could get in, and at night the windows were close shuttered.

‘I remember in the early ‘40s a lot of expense was made to try to bring out a new class of goods and others knowing of this tried to get in the shop. One man by some means got his head in to look around and one of the smiths seeing him, pinned his head by one of his ears to the doorpost with a chisel he was working with. When he was set at liberty he told him next time he would lose his head and bundled him downstairs.’

Between 1841 and 1851, Samuel, Matilda, and Samuel, together with John Wootton, moved to Cradock Street, Loughborough. The 1851 census recorded that Thomas Hudson and John Wootton were still working as cotton lacemakers.

Samuel wrote ‘Father still working a lace machine, opened a grocers shop and was getting a very nice trade together, being a new neighbourhood, when his landlord gave him notice to quit, coming into the shop himself. Father took a house opposite but, another shop being opened near, what was a living for one would not keep three.

‘With lace trace bad and getting on in years, he found it hard work to keep things going and illness made things worse’ - Thomas had suffered from ill health since early 1853.

Thomas Hudson died on 4th May 1854 aged 56 and was buried in All Saints’ Churchyard, Loughborough. ‘Dear Dad, I have often thought of his many fondnesses’ wrote Samuel.

After Thomas’ death, his business partner John Wootton bought a new lace machine which was powered by steam. Steam was not available in Loughborough so he moved with his machine to Nottingham. Thomas’ son Samuel went to work with him, and Thomas’ widow Sarah Matilda joined them. Samuel wrote that ‘My father’s partner being a bachelor having lived with father for over 30 years, they being like brothers, with mother to keep house, and he and I lodging with her, which we did ‘til I married and he married Mother.’

On 4th August 1856, Sarah Matilda Hudson married John Wootton at St Peter’s Church, Radford, Nottinghamshire. This was a double wedding with her son Samuel and Elizabeth Ashby.

The 1861 census recorded that John and Matilda Wootton were living at Southey Street, Nottingham, with John still working as a lacemaker. John was also employing a house maid.

Sarah Matilda Wootton died on 18th January 1871 aged 70. She was buried in St Peter’s Churchyard, Radford. John Wootton died on 13th November 1873 aged 68 and was buried in the same place.

Thomas and Sarah Matilda Hudson were my great-great-great-great-granduncle and aunt.