Lancashire BMD has a death registration for Edmund Barton in 1846, Mellor sub-district (same sub-district where the children's births were registered), age 73. FreeBMD shows the death was registered in the Oct-Dec quarter, Blackburn district. It's possible that his death certificate might give some information as to how he was related to Thomas but quite possible it won't. I can't see a burial for Edmund on Lancs OPC, nor a will on the Lancashire will search site.

There seem to be a lot of Edmund Bartons around, but I see that Lancs OPC has the baptism of an Edward Barton 24 Jun 1814 at St Michael, Kirkham, son of Edmond Barton and Ellen, abode Lea, occupation husbandman. I wonder if this is the same family?

Edmund Barton of the parish of Preston and Ellen Dickenson of this chapelry married in this chapel by banns the 3rd July 1809, witnesses Robert Dickinson and John Valentine.

Other children of Edmund and Ellen baptised at Kirkham:
William 11 Feb 1816, abode Lea, occupation weaver
John 17 Dec 1820, abode Lea, occupation weaver

Oooh, there is a baptism at Kirkham of a Thomas Barton 10th Jan 1808, son of Edward and Jane. This is on ancestry, not sure if you will be able to view it :
Thomas Barton baptism

Eighth entry on the right-hand page. The "abode" column is pretty faint but I think it says Lea.

I'm not sure whether Jane died soon after Thomas was born and Edward / Edmund remarried to an Ellen, or if Edmund and Ellen are one big red herring! Unfortunately their marriage does not show whether Edmund was a widower.

But in any case, this baptism looks likely for your Thomas, don't you think, given that an Edward is with him on the 1841 census?

I can't find a burial for Jane Barton around 1808 or 1809 but of course that doesn't mean there isn't one!

Maybe it would be worth you getting that Edmund Barton death certificate (mentioned in post #11) in the hope that it says informant is his son Thomas Barton.

Also, do you have a copy of Thomas Barton's will? Does it mention a brother or sister, nephew or niece or anyone like that?

Sorry not replied sooner. Will follow up your suggestion. Not got the will of Thomas Barton.

Trell