Thomas Holt b.1788, Sea Captain and John Holts Grandfather
Thomas Holt was baptised 1788 on the 15th September at Flixborough, Lincolnshire near mouth of the river Trent. His parents were William Holt, of Crosby, Lincolnshire, and Mary Leaning the daughter of William Leaning of Broughton, a labourer . In 1814 Thomas married Elizabeth Godfrey, daughter of Robert Godfrey, of Garthorpe . Their son Thomas Godfrey was born three years later in 1817. Thomas became a master mariner, and his ship went to Hull and Stockwith and as far as London. He made his last voyage in March 1860 and his son Thomas Godfrey Holt says of his father on his retirement. "He may get eight shillings per week from Trinity house and a small annuity from Mr Kelsey". Mr Kelsey was a good friend whose wedding he went to. Then on 25/07/1860 Thomas Godfrey confirms that "he (father) gets £20 a year from Trinity house".
In letters to his grandson from London and Stockwith He always begins his letters. "My dear John" and ends "your affectionate grandfather." He tells John Holt. "Right as I can read it for. I think you have forgot how to write, as I could not read the last letter I see from you".
The ships: He mentions sailing in the vessels ‘William Burkett, the Thomas Holt and the Wave”. All are mentioned several times. He refers to these ships as "the Garforth Garththorpe Shore fleet." "Thomas Harriman is captain of the Wave His spelling and grammar are sometimes faulty".
Cargoes include "45 tons Stockwith coal, 30 tons of iron from Grimsby. In January 1858. "Loading 50 tons coal for Mr Wells at Garththorpe and Goole,He also comments "The Thomas Holt, loaded manure. So you see these fine new ships is made dung carts". . The schooner Fairy is also mentioned. On one journey to Stockwith in 1857 he complains he cannot find anyone to unload the cargo. "The Thomas Holt was not in gang on Monday.". Other ports mentioned are Idleworth , wheat for Goole October 1857, and seed for Hull from Maldon. The ships also went to London. At the ending of one letter he writes, "direct it to be left at Mr Modell's office number 65, lower Thames Street, London." but there is no reference to what or why. His uncle John is frequently mentioned "uncle is stopping at the George: write to him". He sometimes anchors in the Victoria dock at London "Weighed anchor, paid a large fine." A letter of August 1858 ends "direct captain Holt of the William Burkett, Brunswick wharf by Vauxhall London.".
He retired in 1860 and it appears that the family moved from the house by the shore to the old house at Garthorpe which “although small and better than nothing until i can again return to the shore". His grandson John Holt talks of him in his diary in 1860. "Grandfather Holt appears none the worse for wear but he is I think very unsettled in his present situation, Having seen many years at sea, he cannot easily adapt himself to the transmigration from that element to a country village and a life onshore wherewith nothing to do. He cannot but feel the monotonous change. Grandfather Holt is in good health and looks bigger as is ever". Thomas died in 1863 three years later age 75 but his wife Elizabeth lived on for another 35 years and died in 1798 while living with her daughter Mary Anne at Adlington.
