In 1881 Thomas was not at home with his wife on census day.
A Thomas Samuel Bate aged 24 was in Her Majesty's Prison, Springfield, Essex on census day 1881. This Thomas was also an engineer and also born in Devon. Could this be him?
When his daughter Nora was baptised in 1906 Thomas was a cycle agent living in Spital road Maldon.
In Kelleys Directory of Essex 1926 Thomas Stapleton Bate lived at West Hill House, Spital Road, Maldon. In the 1929 Kelleys he lived at 46 Spital Road, Maldon.
In the 1933 & 1937 Kelleys the Misses Bates lived at 46 Spital Road Maldon.
Thomas Bate died on 24 December 1931, aged 75, of Coronary Thrombosis and Atheroma. His death was registered by his daughter Clara E Bate who was present at the death.