Thomas Croxton

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Founder of the Town of Croxton Thomas Croxton Esquire
Born	(1759-01-01)January 1, 1759 Catworth, Huntingdonshire
💀Died	January 15, 1826(1826-01-15) (aged 67) Portsmouth, HampshireJanuary 15, 1826(1826-01-15) (aged 67)
Burial place	Portsmouth Cathedral
💼 Occupation
👩 Spouse(s)	Martha Kemp Huson

Thomas Croxton (1759 – 1826) was a former purser for the Royal Navy., who became a property developer and founder of Croxton Town, which would later be renamed Southsea. Croxton's most significant contribution to the region was his role in constructing the early residential buildings, which were bought by skilled workers of the Royal Dockyard, which was continuously expanding at the time. His work formed the nucleus of early Southsea known as Croxton Town.

Early Life and Acquisition of Land

Thomas Croxton was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1759. After serving as a purser for the Royal Navy, he retired from service and acquired farmland from Sir John Carter in the early 1800s. The land included an area of marshland called Little Morass, which was considered unusable due to its dismal appearance, littered with rusted tins and other refuse. Croxton began to construct houses in the region, which were bought by skilled workers of the Portsmouth Royal Dockyard.

Formation of Croxton Town and Expansion

Croxton erected 73 houses on Hambrook Street, Stone Street, Cecil Place, and Gold Street, forming the nucleus of early Southsea known as Croxton Town. As demand for new homes rose, particularly among middle and upper-class families, the region expanded quickly and created what we now know as the "mineral streets" due to their names, including Stone Street, Steel Street, Flint Street, Gold Street, Nickel Street, Copper Street, Silver Street, and Diamond Street

Legacy and Rumours

Thomas Croxton passed away on January 15th, 1826, at the age of 67 at his residence, Croxton Lodge. He was laid to rest alongside his wife Martha Kemp Huson in a tomb at St. Thomas’s Church in Portsmouth. There has been speculation about Thomas Croxton's nationality, with some suggesting that he was American. However, research shows that he was born in Cambridgeshire. The origin of this rumour can be tracked back to when an article titled "The Aloe of Croxton" was published, explaining that an American Aloe (Agave) plant outside Croxton's Lodge bloomed and was then considered a "freak of nature" as it did not die after flowering.

Despite this, Croxton's legacy can still be found throughout Southsea. A street named in his honour, Croxton Road, runs between Pier Road and Victoria Avenue. Further investigation revealed that Thomas Croxton sold Croxton Town in 1823, in lots, for £17,000. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to over £2,000,000 in today’s currency.

Peculiar Personality and Final Will

Thomas Croxton was known for his peculiar nature, and his final will provides a perfect example of this. He instructed his trustees to allocate 3.5% of his stock, which was equivalent to £130,000, towards the maintenance and protection of Croxton Lodge, providing food to parish children every year on Feast Monday (Ascension Day), and erecting a monument of himself with a specific inscription. While his requests were considered, they were deemed difficult to fulfil due to the complexity of the case. Eventually, the courts deemed it safer to nullify his will and return the funds to the estate.

Demolition of Croxton Lodge and Monument

George Croxton of Oundle inherited Croxton Lodge , and he chose to rent it out until it was ultimately demolished in 1865. The demolition of Croxton Lodge was considered a significant improvement for Southsea as it was deemed hazardous due to the narrow cobbled road outside, which had caused several carriage accidents over the years . The demolition of the lodge made way for the construction of the first tramway to Clarence Pier. Unfortunately, Thomas Croxton's desire for a monument with a specific inscription was never realised. His monument was never constructed, and his memory was not preserved in the way he intended.

Southsea: A Name Change

Croxton Town endured for many years following Thomas Croxton’s passing. However, the town’s name was eventually changed to Southsea in 1857 to promote itself as a fashionable seaside holiday resort, taking its name from King Henry VIII’s Southsea Castle.

Other References

Notes on the Topography of Portsmouth by Alexander N. Y. Howell (1913)

Portsmouth Through The Centuries by W. Gates (1931)

Portsmouth Evening News (Friday 17 August 1956)

The Growth of Southsea as a Naval Satellite and Victorian Resort by Dr Raymond C. Riley (1972)

Southsea, the story by William Curtis (1978),

The Seaborne Trade of Portsmouth by James H. Thomas (1984).

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