114 
between eleven and twelve years old. From all the notes and 
and notices of Thomas printed during his life it is clear that he 
was early acquainted with Chilcot and as his first start 
was engaged to him in the humble station of errand boy. 
He soon showed such a tendency to and fondness for 
music that Chilcot was attracted to the boy and encouraged 
and indulged him in his hobby. Eventually he took him as an 
apprentice, behaved well to him and taught him thoroughly all 
the rudiments and practice of the art.* No indentures are on 
record, so the exact time served cannot be given. In 
March, 1752, Thomas Chilcot paid six shillings for Freedom 
fees.t An early, rapid, and extraordinary proficiency brought 
Chilcot some profit for a time, but as soon as he could 
the pupil left the master, got engaged in the public rooms 
at Bath, and so “played into his own pocket.” He next 
started as a teacher, and in this position became at once promptly 
recognised as having great ability and skill for the work. He was 
thus successful and established and well known by the time he 
was twenty. He is reported to have gone abroad and completed 
his musical education under one Paradies or Paradisi, but he 
could have had neither the means nor the opportunity for doing so. 
With this first knowledge of this extraordinary young man, his. 
own family and after career may next be traced. 
As showing his early prosperity he married very young, when 
about nineteen, but as in such cases the man usually goes to the 
bride’s home for that occasion, it is too often barely possible 
without some guide to find notice of the event. Two sons 
presently get the name of Thurston, thus suggesting a possibility ; 
but at the moment the actual record has not been met with. 
From this young couple the next great interest now arises. They 
are said generally to have had seven children, three sons and four 
* The Craftsman, voth October, 1772. 
+ **Chamberlain’s Accts.,” Vol. 48. 
