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‘The Belper Poet’ - Mr Thomas Crofts (1815-1904)

‘THE BELPER POET’,
Death of Mr. Thos. Crofts

On Saturday morning, about six o'clock, there passed away, after some weeks serious illness, Mr. Thomas Crofts, in this 89th year. He was locally known as the Belper poet. When he was 19 years old he began to see his inspirations accepted in a local paper, and until a few weeks before demise some of his last verses appeared in print.

Mr. Crofts was born at Wolley Moor, near Ashover, and was the son of a farmer. He came to Belper quite 70 years ago and had resided there from that period. When he opened his career it was as a draper's apprentice and he afterwards commenced in that business in a shop adjoining the Market Place. Since his retirement he lived with his daughter, Mrs. Terry, in the Orchard. He had a fairly numerous family, of whom two sons are in Australia, another is Mr. J. T. Crofts of the Portland Hotel, Chesterfield and also Mr. Chas. Crofts, a Bonsall tradesman, besides several daughters.

The deceased lived to see 4 generations, the latter coming to the family through Mr. And Mrs. Merrals of Sideup, Kent. As far as is known, Mr. Crofts was the second oldest male resident of Belper. Mr. Thomas White, a retired farmer, is senior to the deceased and is the only one whose name occurs to the writer.

In mentioning his poetry we must not neglect reference to his sarcastic and cynical effusions at elections, both Parliamentary and local. His skits were always looked for with interest, whether they were to ridicule or flatter, for opponent or friend; for candidates for public office or to turn the electors from what he considered the correct line of conduct. A decided Radical in his politics, he had always been on the platform for his party and did very useful service over his long and honourable life.

He married Miss Walker, daughter of the late Jas. Walker, courier, Belper, a sister of the late J.B. Walker, solicitor, a relative who pre-deceased him by a few months. The only public office the deceased held was that of overseer and that was about an average life ago. He was one of the most prominent townsmen until infirmities of age prevented him moving about so much. He was as much respected by those who differed from him in politics and religion as those who were closely allied with him in these matters. He was tolerant of all.

One of the oldest worshippers at the Congregational Church, he had held office as a deacon, and his family followed him in their staunch adherence to the same creed.

The funeral took place on Tuesday. The body was taken up to the church where he had attended so long, and an impressive and beautiful service was conducted by the Pastor and the Rev. F. Knowles. The cortege moved to the Cemetary amid every token of respect from the residents. The chief mourners were Mr. J. T. Crofts, Chesterfield (son), Mrs. Tomlinson (daughter), Mr. And Mrs. Rollins (son-in-law and daughter). Preceding the hearse and four morning coaches containing the chief mourners were the deacons of the Church, viz: Mr. G. Brown, Mr. John Ball, Mr. Henchcliff, and Mr. G.J. Jackson, Mr. Gratian, Mr. Grant, Mr. B. Hall, Mr. G. Calladine as old friends and members followed. Among the tradesmen present were Mr. John Hibbert, Mr. F. Keates, Mr. Jackson, Mr. J. Medley, Mr. F.L. Robinson, Mr. Needham, etc. The Belper Liberal Association was represented by the Rev. J. K. Smith, Mr. J. Bakewell (president), Mr. J. Ratcliffe, Mr. George Smith, C.C., Mr. Gough and Mr. H.T. Harrison. At the grave side were noticed Mrs. Knowles, Mrs. Ball, Mrs. G. Brown, Mr. And Mrs. J. Harrison, Mrs. A. H. Brown, Mrs. Grant, Mr. And Mrs. Glassey, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. G. J. Jackson, Mrs. B. Hall, Miss Gray, Miss Ethel Brown, Mrs. Norman, Mrs. Hogg, Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. F. Jackson, etc. The burial service was again conducted by Rev. F. Knowles. Three Liberal veterans in Mr. Jas. Calvert, Mr. Alfred Smedley, and Mr. W.P. Adshead, were unable to attend the obsequies through infirmities.

Among the wreaths were those from the family, Mr. And Mrs. Merrals, Mrs. J.B. Walker (sister-in-law of the deceased), Mrs. White (Grassmoor), Mrs. Furness (Chesterfield), Mr. And Mrs. Swift (Tysemouth), Mr. And Mrs. G.T. Terry, the Misses Tomlinson (Wirksworth), the minister and deacons of the Congregational Church, the Belper Liberal Association, Mrs. A. H. Brown, Mrs. Jabez Brown, Mr. Bernard Brown, Mr. Calvert and family, Mr. And Mrs. Grant, Mr. And Mrs. Bakewell, Mr. And Mrs. Gough, Mr. G. Calladine and others.

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Biographical Note from the Submitter:
Thomas CROFTS was one of 11 children of James CROFTS, Wheelwright of Wolleymoor, b. 1769 and Elizabeth BOWNE b. 1780 Ashover. Thomas was born 2 Dec. 1815 and died 25 June 1904. His poetry was published in the book ‘Castle in the Air and other poems’.

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[This account was kindly provided by Thomas's great grandniece, Lesley Anderson - ]

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