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Joseph Lowes Thompson         1859-1927
Joseph Lowes was born on 22 March 1859 of Robert Thompson and Sarah Barbar. He married Emma Herring in 1884, in Sunderland. Joseph Lowes became the Chairman of the Robert Thompson & Sons Ltd. Southwick yard and Bridge Dockyard.
He died 24 March 1927, at age 68, at The Croft, Thornhill Terrace, Sunderland. His son, Errol Hay assumed control of the firm. Errol Hay was described as "an extravagant wastrel, who spent his time playing golf, and neglecting the business."

Emma Herring                       1862-1929
Emma was born about 1862, at Southwick, of James Herring and Mary A. Newton. She died on 9 April 1929, at age 64.
They had the following children:
 
S.S. Capelcastle, built in 1917 by Robert Thompson & Sons,
for Arthur Capel, Newport, Mon. in her war-time dazzle paint.

Cecil Herring Born 21 Nov 1885   Bishopwearmouth Died 28 Dec 1913  Age 28
Douglas Errol Hay Born 21 Jan 1890   Southwick Married Florence Marjori Robson
Betty Kathleen Riach Norris

Birth of Parents
Joseph Lowes Thompson b: 22 Mar 1859       Dock Street Methodist Chapel     1859 1Q Sunderland 10a 459
6th son of Robert Thompson and Sarah Barbar, 50 Bridge Street, Shipbuilder
Monkwearmouth Shore

Emma Herring b: abt 1862                    Southwick         1862 3Q Sunderland 10a 461
daughter of James Herring and Mary A. Newton

Marriage
4 Jun 1884
Joseph Lowes Thompson
(25)
Emma Herring
Holy Trinity, Southwick, County Durham
Bachelor, Shipbuilder, of Whitburn, Father: Robert Thompson, Shipbuilder
Spinster, of Southwick, Father: James Herring, Gentleman
by License, Wit: James Herring and ? Thompson    1884 2Q Sunderland 10a 722

Children
Cecil Herring Thompson b: 21 Nov 1885  St. Michaels, Bishopwearmouth, County Durham
son of Joseph Lowes and Emma Thompson, Shipbuilder       1885 4Q Sunderland 10a 597
Douglas Errol Hay Thompson b: 21 Jan 1890  c: 24 Apr 1890  Holy Trinity, Southwick, County Durham
son of Joseph Lowes Thompson and Emma Herring, of 15 Thornhill Terrace, Shipbuilder

1891 Census RG12-4133 6 April 1891 Bishopwearmouth, County Durham
15 Thornhill Terrace
Joseph L. Thompson
Emma (Wife)
Cecil H.
Douglas E. H.
Plus two servants
Age 33
Age 28
Age 5
Age 1
Shipbuilder Durham
Durham
Durham
Durham
Sunderland
Southwick
Sunderland
Sunderland
22 Mar 1859
abt 1862
21 Nov 1885
21 Jan 1890

15 Thornhill Terrace, in 2004
A Little Something Left By A Young Boy

1901 Census RG13-2637 1 Apr 1901 Repton, Derbyshire
High Street [Repton School]
Cecil Herring Thompson (Boarder) Age 15 School Boy Student Sunderland Durham 21 Nov 1885

1901 Census RG13-4054 1 Apr 1901 Harrogate, Yorkshire
Oatlands College
James Roscol
Douglas E. Thompson
Plus 50 Other Pupils
Plus 8 Servants
Age 64
Age 11
Head Schoolmaster
Pupil
Bolton
Sunderland
Lancashire
Durham
abt 1836
21 Jan 1890

  Newspaper
 29 December 1913      DEATH
THOMPSON - The death took place yesterday morning of Mr. Cecil Thompson, son of Mr. Joseph L. Thompson, of the firm of Messrs. Robert Thompson and Sons, shipbuilders and repairers. Mr. Cecil Thompson contracted a chill about ten days ago, and double pneumonia set in. He rallied somewhat on Saturday, but death took place, as stated, on Sunday morning.
The deceased gentleman was 28 years of age, and resided with his father at "The Croft", Thornhill Terrace. For some time he had been out-door manager at the Southwick Yard. His sudden demise will come as a great shock to his many friends, for he was very popular. 1913 4Q Age 28 Sunderland 10a 714

Death
Joseph Lowes Thompson Died 24 March 1927,  Age 68,     1927 1Q Sunderland 10a 842
Buried at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery

  Newspaper
 25 March 1927      DEATH
The death occurred yesterday of Mr. Joseph Lowes Thompson, of The Croft, Thornhill, Sunderland, chairman of the well-known Sunderland firm of shipbuilders and engineers, Messrs. Robert Thompson and Sons, Ltd., and a member of the Wear Shipbuilder's Association. Mr. Thompson had been in poor health for some time, but continued at work until a week last Monday. He was in his 69th year, and was the son of the late Mr. Robert Thompson, of West Hall, Whitburn, the founder of the firm of which he was chairman.
   Of a retiring disposition, Mr. Thompson took little part in public life, sport taking up most of his leisure. Cricket, golf, angling, rowing and shooting were his favorite sports.
   Mr. Thompson is survived by a widow and a son, Mr. Errol H. Thompson, managing director of the firm, and a well known golfer.

DURHAM   4 July 1927                                         Probate
THOMPSON, Joseph Lowes, of The Croft, Sunderland, died 24 March 1927, Probate, Durham, 4 July, to Emma Thompson, widow, and Errol Hay Thompson, shipbuilder.
  Effects £117,016 19s.5d.
Summary of the Will of Mr. Joseph Lowes Thompson
of The Croft, Sunderland, County Durham
1859 - 1927       Dated 16 January 1919
(His estate totaled £ 117,016 19s 5d)
  Trustees and Executors:Wife Emma Thompson, and son Errol Hay Thompson.
  Wife:  Emma Thompson £ 2,000 per annum, free of taxes, the free use of the residence,
The Croft, with it's contents for as long as she lives.
 Son:  Errol Hay Thompson The ultimate residue of the estate after death of wife.
Death
Emma Thompson Died 9 Apr 1929,  Age 64
Buried at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery
DURHAM   19 Dec 1929                         Probate
THOMPSON, Emma, of The Croft, Sunderland, widow, died 9 April 1929 at Cannes, France, Probate, Durham, 19 December, to Errol Hay Thompson, shipbuilder, and William Frederick Laing, solicitor.
  Effects £18,946 0s.11d.


In Beloved
Memory of
CECIL H. Thompson
Died Dec 28th 1913
Age 28
JOSEPH L. THOMPSON
Father of above
Died March 24th 1927
in his 69th year
EMMA THOMPSON
wife of above
Died April 9th 1929
Age 64
ERROL H. THOMPSON
Son of above
Died August 13th 1932
Age 42
Bishopwearmouth CEMETERY       PHOTO BY T.G. WHITE


SPECIAL THANKS  to J. Underwood, for the photos of 15 Thornhill Terrace provided above.


PICTURE CREDIT
The picture of the S.S. Capelcastle is from the book
"WHERE SHIPS ARE BORN, SUNDERLAND 1346-1946, A History of Shipbuilding on the River Wear" by J. W. SMITH and T. S. Holden.
Published by Thomas Reed and Company Limited, Sunderland   1946