Thomas Stoughton worked for the King’s household along with his brothers John and William. In Feb. 1444, he was commissioned to “take fish for hte expenses of the household and carriage therefore.” He is described in August 1445 as the King’s sergeant and purveyor of sea fish. Around 1450, he was importing fish from Flanders for the King’s household. By 1452, he acquired property in Rye, and his seal (a mermaid) and signature are found on a 1454 document appointing James Hyde as receiver for his rents there. He later sold the property to Hyde.

In March 1475, he was appointed controller of the petty customs in the port of London, “provided he executed the ofice in person” and received a similar appointment in Sandwich in Nov. 1476, which probably indicates he moved there.

He is buried in London, in the church of St. Nicholas Cole Abbey on Old Fish Street. There was a plaque in the church at one time inscribed in Latin “Pray for the peace of ___ _Stockton, citizen and fishmonger of London and for Christian and Beatrice his wives.” The coat of arms shown is the same as on the tomb of Colonial Governor William Stoughton. [643]