Ship's engineer. Known as 'Skipper', he was the second husband of the author Edith Nesbit.
Andrew Behan has provided this research: Tommy Tucker was born as Thomas Terry Tucker. His father and paternal grandfather were also called Thomas Terry Tucker. His birth was recorded in the Bermondsey Registration District in the 2nd quarter of 1856. He and his twin bother Henry James Tucker were the third and fourth of the nine children of Thomas Terry Tucker and Mary Ann Tucker née Rippin. His father was a marine engineer. The 1861 census records him living with his mother, five siblings and his maternal grandmother at 36 Davis Terrace, Manchester Road, Poplar. The 1881 census informs that they had moved to 16 Upper Grove Street, Poplar, where he is recorded as living with his widowed mother and six siblings, aged 24 years and his occupation was stated to be a Hot Water Engineer's Assistant.
On 2 October 1889 he married Sophia Cleland in All Saints Church, Newby Place, Poplar, giving his occupation as a Marine Engineer. The 1891 census shows them living at 74 Northumberland Street, Poplar with his mother-in-law Ann E. Cleland, and his brother-in-law John Thomas Cleland. On 16 May 1898 he gave evidence at the Old Bailey in the trial of John William Sando for the murder of Jane Steward, describing himself as the Chief Engineer of the Woolwich Ferry Boat 'Hutton'.
The 1901 census confirms he was still living with his wife and brother-in-law at 74 Northumberland Street, Poplar and his occupation remained as a Marine Engineer. Kelly's Directory of Blackheath for 1910 lists him as a resident at 69 Deansfield Road, Eltham and this is confirmed in the 1911 census that shows him living there with his wife and brother-in-law. His occupation is given as Marine Engineering, L.C.C. Free Woolwich Ferry and the electoral register for 1914 informs that he was still at the same address. The death of his wife was recorded in the Lewisham Registration District in the 1st quarter of 1916.
1917 married Edith Nesbit, the author. See there for details. On 12 June 1924, after he death, he was granted probate of her estate that totalled £660. He died at 'The Long Boat' Jesson, New Romney, Kent, aged 79 years, on 17 May 1935 and probate was granted on 23 July 1935 to his step-son Paul Cyril Bland and step-daughter Mary Iris Philips née Bland. His estate totalled £923-11s-11d.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
