Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1890 & 99

Thomas Creighton (1817 - 1891)


Thomas Creighton was a Machinist by trade, and was prominent in the breaking away of the Independent Order of the Sons of Temperance from the existing Sons of Temperance.

 

He was born in Manchester in 1817. In 1841 he married Martha Oxforth at Eccles Parish Church of St Mary. Martha died on 31st October 1865 at the age of 49 and Thomas married again 13 years later to Jane Ann Taylor (born in 1842 in Scotland) at St John the Baptist Church, Hulme, Manchester. She was 26 years his junior. They had two children born in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Jane Henry (born 1879) and Thomas (born 1881). The 1881 census shows that they were living at 39 Welbeck Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock. Thomas was 64 and a Machinist, and Jane Ann was aged 38. Thomas died on 22nd January 1891 and Jane Ann died 7 years later on 4th June 1898.

 

For many years Thomas Creighton was well known as an active worker for temperance in Hulme. He was a friend and co-worker of the late Mr James Gaskill and was one of those entrusted with carrying out his educational bequests. Mr Creighton, who was 73 at the time of his death, had been 52 years a teacher and conductor of Christ Church, Sunday school, Hulme. He was an advocate for the Manchester and Salford District Temperance Union, and spent a great portion of his time addressing Temperance and Band of Hope meetings. He held the post of Grand Treasurer of the Manchester Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance for 16 years. When the Grand Division passed a resolution in favour of centralisation he retired, as he was a great opponent of the scheme. His division, the "City of Refuge" seceded from the District along with "Peaceful Home" and "Morning Star", and as the "Perseverance" Division of Salford had left the Salford Grand Division on the same grounds, the four divisions amalgamated and were named "The Independent Order of the Sons of Temperance, Manchester and Salford Unity". Thomas Creighton was elected President and continued in the office up to the time of his death.

 

The funeral of the late Thomas Creighton was held at Weaste Cemetery, Salford on Saturday 24th January. In addition to relatives and friends, the Sons of Temperance was represented by Bro. W. Findlay, Bro. G. Johnson and Bro W. Clark (Most Worthy Scribe of the National Division of the UK and the Grand Scribe of the Grand Division of Manchester). The Independent Order of the Sons of Temperance was represented by Bros A. Dawson (Vice President), Ablinson (Secretary), J.W. Lowe (Treasurer) and T. Walsh (late Vice President). In spite of the inclement weather a large number attended the funeral to show the great respect which was felt for Mr Creighton's unselfish labours. The Grand Scribe of the Grand Division of Manchester offered a few touching remarks at the graveside. The service was conducted by Rev J. Brown and Thomas's remains were interred in plot B2 of the Dissenters Portion.