Swansea artist - William Thirkell Pearce

 Below are some of the names of artists who are either from Swansea or who have some association with Swansea.

1.      Irene Bache

2.      Alexander Beleschenko

3.      Albert de Belleroche

4.      Glenys Cour

5.      Vicent Evans

6.      Valerie Ganz

7.      James Henry Govier

8.      Gwenny Griffiths

9.      Alfred Janes

10. Saxon Jenkins

11. Ezzelina Jones

12. Mervyn Levy

13. Thyrza Anne Leyshon

14. A. C. Michael

15. Ernest Morgan

16. Cedric Morris

17. Alex Norris

18. Dai Rees

19. Ceri Richards

20. Jane Simpson

21. Alia Syed

22. John Uzzell Edwards

23. Evan Walters

24. Glan Williams

However, should the name William Thirkell Pearce be added to the list?

Sunderland, Durham, 1870, John Edwin Pearce married Sarah Thirkell

A year later at the time of the 1871 Census, the couple were residing at Sketty.

1871 Census

John, 36, was employed as a managing clerk in a solicitor. Sarah, 30.  They had two twin sons, 4-month-old, Edwin Thirkell and William Thirkell.

Also present at their home on census night was Annie Phillip Thirkell, Sarah's sister. Along with Harriet Davies, an 18-year-old servant

The family home at the time of the 1881 census was 23 Montepelier Terrace.

1881 Census

John E., 45 is now a Solicitor clerk.  Sarah, 40.  Their children are twins Edwin H. and William H., 10; Florence M., 6; Charles M., 8 and 11-month-old Henry L.

Visitor Rosali Bertha, 26 is also present along with two servants, Eliza Cox, 17, and Jane Gibbs, 19.

The next record for William is the 1911 Census, where he lives at 87 Oakhill Road, Putney.

1911 Census

William is now 40, and his occupation is recorded as Painter Artist.  He is living with his wife, Annie Matilda, 41.

However, in 1913, William married at St. Barnabas Church, Clapham Common Annie Richardson.

William Thirkell Pearce and Annie Richardson
marriage certificate
St. Barnabas Church, Clapham Common

Aged 50 during the 1921 Census, William resides at 18 Clarendon Road, Putney. James’ occupation is recorded as an Artist Portrait Painter.  His wife, Annie, is 54.  Their daughter, Muriel Thirkell, is 20.  So where was she at the time of the 1911 Census?

1921 Census

Also present is a boarder, Australian-born Ronald H. Rattray, a 32-year-old Medical Practitioner Public Heath – (Student), and a 32-year-old servant Harriet Candy.

By the time of the 1939 Register, Muriel and Ronald are married, their wedding taking place in 1924 at Wandsworth.  By 1939, they are residing at Chelsea.  Ronald’s occupation is recorded as a Physician.

1939 Register

Annie has died by the time of the 1939 Register, and William has married for the second time to Florence B. Alcock, and they are staying at the 113 York Hotel, St. Margates Terrace, Weston-Super-Mare. William’s occupation is recorded as a Portrait Painter.

1939 Register

Some of William’s artwork, which is on display at the Lancaster Maritime Museum, includes the portraits of Lola Maud Dalton; Eulalie More Dalton; William Henry Dalton, and Mrs Emma Mary Dalton nee. Cook.

William Henry Dalton (1834 - 1902)
painted by William Thirkell Pearce
credit - Lancaster City Museum

South Wales Daily Post

William died in 1944, and his death was reported in the South Wales Daily Post