Thomas and Susan Phelps

The Phelps Family was founded in the United States of America upon the union of Susan Irene Rigby and Thomas Charles Phelps on September 14, 1902. Thomas was from England and Susan came from a long history of Rigby’s who resided in Western Pennsylvania.

Thomas Charles Phelps

9/22/1875 - 1/18/1964

Married

9/14/1902

Susan Irene Rigby

7/22/1883 -  2/4/1970

8 Children

THOMAS 

PROVIDED BY Diana (Phelps) Adler, an English Niece/Cousin

Thomas Phelps was born in England on September 22, 1875.  He left England when he was nineteen and came to New Castle, Pennsylvania.  He came, as did many other English and Welsh men looking for work in the mills.  He worked in the tin mill most of his life.  He retired after fifty years with the US Steel Company.  This was in 1940, following the depression of the “30’s”.  Since Social Security only began in 1936 he did not have sufficient working quarters under the act to qualify for benefits. 

Thomas  worked at the South Side Coal Company until he was eligible.  His steel pension and social security checks were both for about $40 each.  As the steel union worked the pension was increased slightly as was social security.  Even so he and Susan never had a great deal but always seemed to manage very well.

On Susan and Thomas’  fiftieth anniversary their eight children all agreed to send them $10 per month.  Thomas was a great gardener and he always had chickens so there was always plenty of food.  His greatest pride was to have the Thanksgiving dinner using everything he raised.  This might include turkey or chicken, potatoes, canned vegetables, or items which he had saved, eg. Turnips, carrots, cabbage, celery, tomatoes, etc.

Thomas was a deeply religious man.  He joined church following a revival meting held in New Castle by the famous evangelist, Billy Sunday.  He was an active member of Central Christian Church in New Castle, serving as an elder for many years.  He loved to sing and sang in the church choir and in a choir of men from the tin mill.

Thomas never returned to England and thus he never saw any of his family again.  His family sent him a weekly newspaper until his death.  He enjoyed it and shared it with other English friends in New Castle.  Diana Phelps, a niece came to New Castle after he died and Anne, Eleanor and Eli visited in England and met a number of cousins. 

Diana had a number of cousins in and together they put together the following information about  Thomas Phelps Family that live in England. 

PHELPS FAMILY ANTECEDENTS

GREAT GRANDFATHER - HENRY PHELPS

Henry Phelps was married twice.  His second wife was Anne Gurney.

Henry lived at Rock Farm, Howle Hill, Walford, Ross-on-Wye, and was a rate collector and overseer for the Parish of Walford.  When his second wife died, his grandson Harry went to live with him, and later, when the Henry became ill, Annie, then 13 years old, was sent to keep house for them both.  When the grandfather became too ill to carry out his duties, Anne walked all over Howle Hill to collect the rates, and then into Ross and back, about five miles each way, to pay I the money.  Annie nursed the grandfather until he died, and eventually for some reason, Harry and Annie moved to Sycamore Cottage, Kerne Bridge, for a short time.  In later years when Harry married he was living at Rock Farm.

Thomas and Susan Phelps, 1962

Joanne and Grandma Susan

Young Thomas

50th Wedding Anniversary

Granddad, Tom and Linda

Uncle Bob in background

Granddad proud of the Corn

Young Grandma

Grandma and Mrs. Cowmeadow