Family History ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT- “How the Other Half Lived” - Part 5 - A Famous Father-in-Law

Thomas Jesson (1779-1860) was the son of Richard Jesson who I talked about in my last blog, the one who patented the first commercially successful method for producing wrought iron with coke. Needless to say, Thomas lived a privileged life.  

Thomas married Ann Elliot Percy in 1803. American born, Ann is the daughter of Rev William Percy, who was an ordained minister and a chaplain to Lady Selina Huntingdon the Countess of Huntington. Lady Selina was an English Methodist leader who played a prominent part in the religious revival of the 18th century and the Methodist movement in England and Wales. She sent William to America with missionary instructions to ‘officiate wherever he could collect an audience’. Many felt themselves indebted to his hard work in America and on his death a plaque was inscribed with… Percy rejoiced to proclaim the glad tidings of Salvation and faithfully strove to bring his people from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God…

Thomas and Ann had three sons and five daughters. Thomas carried on his father’s business as he was known as ‘a major midlands Ironmaster.’

He became a widower at the age of 58 and spent his senior years living with his youngest son William and his family at ‘Harrow Lodge’ in Hampshire.

Harrow Lodge (2026)

Thomas died on 10 February 1860 leaving effects worth under 100,000 pounds.

Just an endnote on Thomas’ story. It is believed a church warden (rightfully or wrongly) sold Thomas a painting that once hung in All Saints Church in West Bromwich (the family church). It was St Joseph and the Infant, painted by Murillo, a 17th Century Spanish painter. The sons of Thomas returned this painting to the church following Thomas’ death.  

St Joseph and the Infant