Thomas John Caparn

Thomas followed his father into the world of horticulture and by 1854 was in business independently, enlarging his undertaking in the King's Road, Newark. and expanding it still further in 1869. Following his father's death he amalgamated the businesses, thus becoming one of the leadingnurserymen in the Midlands.

In 1871 he was appointed Actuary of the Savings Bank, Lombard Street, Farndon, and in April 1873 he opened a business at 51 Stodman Street as a "Professional Accountant, Estate Agent, and Trustee in Bankruptcy". In 1875 he had attempted to sell his nursery without success, but the following year opened another accountancy office at Farndon, and by February 1884 another at Kirk Gate, Newark.

He was to win major awards in the UK and at the Great International Exhibition inLondon he swept the board in three classes. He was a judge at Midland shows and his business interests spread to other towns in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Like his nephew he turned his attention to landscape painting, entering works at local shows.

Suddenly in 1884 he left for New Jersey, USA, with his wife and younger children, never to return.

A statement in the Newark Advertiser probably explains his rapid departure: "The Managers of the Newark Savings Bank state that Thomas John Caparn has absented himself fom his duties without authority. It is ordered that a replacement will be appointed shortly,"

Arriving in New Jersey he immediately established a horticulture business and within a few months set up an art studio, and his oils and watercolours appear in auctions in the US.

Two of his sons went on to achieve distinguished careers in American horticultural circles.

[details from Robin Fenner]

THE LONDON GAZETTE, JANUARY 26, 1864. NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership between us tb.3 undersigned, William Homer Caparn, of ^Kirk-gate, Newark, and Thomas John Caparn, of King's- "road, Newark, both in the county |of Nottingham, and carrying on business under the name of W. H. Caparn and Son, Ssed Merchants and Nurserymen, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent.—Dated this 21st day of January, 1864.