Name Thomas Whittle | ||
Thomas Whittle (1683–1736) was a Tyneside poet/songwriter, artist and eccentric in the late 17th century and early 18th century.
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Early life
Thomas Whittle “appeared “at Cambo around 1700 riding on an old goat. No one seems to know where he came from, his parents or place of birth. It was suggested by Thomas Allan in his book Allan's Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings that he could have been born at Long Edlingham, Ovingham or Shilbottle, and that his brother was the parish clerk at Earsdon in 1750. In fact his name may have originally spelt “Whittel”. It has been suggested that he was christened at Kirkwhelpington on 10 September 1683.
He was employed by an old miller, for whom he worked for years. He became, according to William Brockie quoting from Mackenzie's Northumberland (published 1825), and Thomas Allan's Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings, a disciple of “Bacchus”, the Greek god of wine (Roman = Dionysus) and remained so for the rest of his life.
Later life
He died in East Shaftoe (near Killingworth) on 19 April 1736, and was buried at Hartburn.
Legacy
He was a very talented, versatile artist and some relics of his workmanship were to be seen at Belsay Castle, Hartburn, Ponteland, and other churches in Northumberland.
In addition his poems and songs were very popular, particularly among the rural inhabitants of Northumberland