Publications
The Rise of Thomas Sockett, by Kenneth Povey, published 1928 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. II no. 1, article, pp.38-40) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9327] & The Keep [LIB/500138]
Rev. Thomas Sockett (1777-1859) Rector of Petworth (1816-1859): Factotum, 'worthy' and Champion of the Poor, by Spencer Thomas, published Spring 2002 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 69, article, p.3) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/69] & The Keep [LIB/500493]
Petworth Emigration Society, by Peter Baigent, published September 2004 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 16 no. 3, article, pp.130-132) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15860] & The Keep [LIB/508836] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.
Preview:The Reverend Thomas Sockett, Rector of Petworth, founded the Petworth Emigration Society in 1832. The scheme, which ran for six years from 1842 to 1837, transported 1,800 immigrants, the majority of whom came from Sussex
Poor Cottages and Proud Palaces: The Life and Work of Thomas Sockett of Petworth 1777-1859 , by Sheila Haines and Leigh Lawson, published 2007 (304 pp., Hastings Press, ISBN-10: 1904109160 & ISBN-13: 9781904109167) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/503906] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Review by Maria Gardiner in Sussex Past and Present no. 116, December 2008:An account of the life and work of Reverend Thomas Sockett of Petworth (1777 -1859), who was born in East London, the son of an impoverished bookseller. The early part of this fascinating book deals with his transition from penury to rural clergyman under the patronage of Lord Egremont at Petworth House. In his journal recording his life from 1805 to 1807, reproduced in full, he describes playing tennis and practising French with refugee aristocrats, seeing Nelson embark from Portsmouth on his final voyage, and time spent with the Egremont children reading the classics such as Horace and Demosthenes.
We are given a picture of his domestic life, but the authors are primarily interested in his role as the thoughtful and concerned Rector of Petworth. Although he was a friend of aristocrats, he worked hard to improve the lives of the poorest of his parishioners, particularly through the teaching of literacy which he saw as a route to morality. Together with Lord Egremont, he organised the emigration to Canada of many of his parishioners, including his own oldest son, George. He was also in frequent disagreement with the guardians of the local workhouse about the treatment of its inhabitants.
Sheila Haines and Leigh Lawson have presented an insight into life in West Sussex from aristocrat to peasant at a time of political, cultural and economic upheaval. The book is meticulously researched and evidenced and should prove a valuable resource for local history students, and anyone else who likes looking into other people's lives.
We are given a picture of his domestic life, but the authors are primarily interested in his role as the thoughtful and concerned Rector of Petworth. Although he was a friend of aristocrats, he worked hard to improve the lives of the poorest of his parishioners, particularly through the teaching of literacy which he saw as a route to morality. Together with Lord Egremont, he organised the emigration to Canada of many of his parishioners, including his own oldest son, George. He was also in frequent disagreement with the guardians of the local workhouse about the treatment of its inhabitants.
Sheila Haines and Leigh Lawson have presented an insight into life in West Sussex from aristocrat to peasant at a time of political, cultural and economic upheaval. The book is meticulously researched and evidenced and should prove a valuable resource for local history students, and anyone else who likes looking into other people's lives.