Thomas Purdy was the son of Robert Purdy (1829) and Ann Maidstone, and was born in Burnham Sutton on 4th December 1864. He was christened on 8th January 1865 in Burnham Westgate. In 1871 he was living in Burnham Sutton. In 1881 he was working as an iron and tinplate worker and was living with his parents in Fern Hill Terrace, Newchurch, Lancs. In 1891 he was living with his widowed mother at 161 Newchurch Road in Stacksteads, Bacup. He married Hannah Hall in 1892. In 1901 he was living at 31 Greens Lane, Bacup.

Sources
• 1. 1881 Census. Fern Hill Terrace, Newchurch, Lancs. Thomas Purdy. Son. Age 16. Born Burham [sic, probably Burnham Sutton]. Iron and tinplate worker. • 2. Edwy Harling's Website. Thomas Purdy. Born 4 Dec 1864. Christened 8 Jan 1865, Burnham Westgate. Father: Robert. Mother: Ann Maidstone. • 3. 1901 Census. 31 Greens Lane, Bacup. Thomas Herbert Purdy. Head. Age 36. Tin Plate Worker. Born Burman Mkt. [sic]. • 4. 1891 Census. 161 Newchurch Rd, Stacksteads, Bacup. Thomas Purdy. Son. Age 26. Iron & Tin Plate Worker. Born Burnham Westgate. • 5. 1871 Census. Burnham Sutton. Thomas Purdy. Son. Age 5. Scholar. Born Burnham Westgate. • 6. Marriage Registers. Purdy, Thomas Herbert & Hall, Hannah. Mar. 1892. 8e. 178. Haslingden.