To my knowledge nothing has ever come to light about Thomas before his marriage to Elizabeth in October 1816. It's as though he just 'grew' like Topsy!
I must admit I've not thought to look for him further afield perhaps even outside Oxfordshire. The name Druce is not unusual there but then as an upwardly aspiring draper's assistant it might be that Thomas unloaded his baptismal name for one that might carry more influence?
I don't know where he and Elizabeth met. As the marriage record describes Elizabeth as 'of Bungay' it has been assumed that's where she was born. However I have her baptism and family in Ditchingham Norfolk which I noticed isn't far Bungay. Perhaps TC also came from Norfolk?
For some time I've wondered if there is some document, hidden away in the Portland Collection from the time of the various court cases, that might shed some light on the mystery of TC.
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