Thomas Devlin

c.1831-1909

Early Days

Thomas Devlin was born in Ireland, probably about 1831.
Census records give conflicting evidence for date of birth.  His Death Certificate says 'aged 78' on his death in 1909.  Obituaries say 'aged 80' and 'believed to be in early 80s'.  So probably born around 1829.

His parents were Edward Devlin (a farmer) + Catherine Devlin (née Sharkey).

He came to Scotland from Ireland, aged probably about 10, first to Ardrossan in Ayrshire, then to Pittenweem in Fife then to Edinburgh).  By 1852, he was a fish salesman at Pittenweem.

Marriage and Family

He married Christina Leishman (b.1831,  Pittenweem, Fife) in Edinburgh, probably at Sc Giles' High Church, in 1853.   Christina's father had been a fish merchant at Pittenweem.

His children were all born around Newhaven.  They were:

-  Thomas 1854
-  Christina 1855
-  Alexander 1856
-  Ann 1858
-  Catherine + Charles (twins) 1862
-  John 1866
-  Edward 1870.

Trawler

Thomas bought his first and only trawler, GRACE in 1884, and sold it to his son four years later.  For more details, see Trawlers.

Homes

Thomas lived at several addresses in Newhaven between 1854 and 1891:  Pierhead, then Main Street, then  5 Annfield, then 6 Annfield Pierhead, Maitland Street and Main Street.  He died in 1909, living as a boarder at 24 Prince Regent Street, Leith, leaving no will, and probably few assets. 

At the time of his death, his son, Thomas Leishman, was the owner of a profitable trawling  business.

The details above have been supplied by John D Stevenson (Trinity, Edinburgh:  January 2007)

T L Devlin (Trawler Owners)

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