I was first attracted to find out more about Thomas Ellington because he was a Mushroom Ketchup Manufacturer in the 1911 Census.
Thomas was born in Spaldwick Huntingdon in 1867, and lived there until after 1881. In 1888 he married his wife Elizabeth in Peteborough and in 1891 they are living in Lincoln Road, Peterborough, occupation joiner; in 1901 he has moved just around the corner to Norfolk St and his occupation is a builder. However the birth places of his children tell another story, in 1891 they were in Peterborough for the birth of Harold, but in 1892 Oscar was born in Wisbech, in1896 Margaret was born in Werrington, and by 1900 they were back in Peterborough for the birth of Nellie.
By 1911 he and his family are living in Dogsthorpe, no precise address but 4 doors away from the Bluebell, and he is manufacturing Mushroom Ketchup on his own account at home. With him are his wife, daughters Margaret 16, and Nellie 12, son Frederick 6. He had 5 children at this time.
In 1940 there is a T Ellington living at 202 Thorpe Road Peterborough, and in 1949 he was at 123 Thorpe Rd.
The next record I found was the probate record following his death on 19 Jan 1950. He lived to be 83, and obviously did quite well for himself as his final address was 123 Thorpe Road, Peterborough. Although his effects of £370 3s 7d weren't huge.
This is what Nigel Slater had to say about ketchup: "I am exceptionally fond of a spot of ketchup, be it the famous-name stuff in a glass bottle or something home-made. Recipes for ketchups have been with us since the 18th century, though the word is thought to derive from the Chinese ke-tsiap, denoting a brine of pickled fish. Those of the mid-1700s focus not on tomato but mushroom, a pungent and savoury condiment.
Mushroom ketchup still has a loyal following (my dad shook it over a full English) and is traditionally thin and almost black. The flavour comes not only from mushrooms but soy sauce, cloves and paprika. The modern commercial versions are made from powdered mushrooms and concentrate, water and salt. Most often used as a table seasoning like tomato ketchup, it can also be used in the kitchen; I add a few shakes to Welsh rabbit, lamb or beef casseroles – even the occasional stir-fried cabbage or spring greens in lieu of soy.
There are recipes for thick versions, too, and I made one this week that had the texture of a pickle, thick with spring onions, pulverised chestnut mushrooms and anchovies. As far from the classic mushroom juice as you can imagine, this was something to spread on a grilled ribeye, yet would introduce depth and intrigue to a casserole, pie filling or hotpot. It looks like something dredged from the bottom of a pond, but has a flavour that is earthy, piquant and salty."
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A message from Tracy Goulde saying that Thomas Lord Ellington was her Gt Gt Grandad made me look at the family again. I found that Thomas Lord's brother James born 1865 was living in Dogsthorpe in 1901, the only address is Dogsthorpe but from its proximity to the Bluebell, it may be the same house as his brother 10 years later.
The 1901 Census shows:
- James Ellington 36 Plumber, Glazier, Decorator, working on his own account at home, born Spaldwick Hunts.
- Kate, wife, 34, born Downham Market, Norfolk.
- Kate E, daur, 13, born Spaldwick, Hunts
- Gertrude, daur, 11, born Rushwold, Hunts.
- Beatrice, daur, 10, born Spaldwick, Hunts
- James, son, 8, born Ellington, Hunts
- Ethel, daur, 5, born Spaldwick Hunts.
- Constance, daur, 3, born Spaldwick, Hunts.
- Edith Lelita, daur, 8 months, born Dogsthorpe.
In the 1911 Census
- James, 46, and his son also James, 18, are both Plumbers and lodging in Luton, Beds.
- Kate Ellington, 47, married 24 years and 8 children all still living, is living in Spaldwick again with
- Constance,
- Edith,
- new addition son Lord Charles, 7, born Peterborough.
- Henry Ellington, 48, brother, single, Gardener, born Spaldwick
- Gertrude, 21, is an inmate at St Andrews Home for Girls, in Hayling South, Hampshire.
- Beatrice, 20, is a visitor of Samuel Thomas Drage in Leicester, her occupation is Housemaid.
- Ethel. 16, is a domestic nursemaid for Louis Rocca and his family, a Restaurant Keeper at 15 Narrow Bridge St Peterborough.
- Kate E, 23, Unfortunately I couldn't trace in the 1911 Census, or marriage records.