Sextons of Holyport, Frederick Sexton, Mary His Wife, and Annie Elizabeth Their Daughter.

Monument to Frederick, Annie Elizabeth and Mary Sexton, St Michael's Churchyard, Bray, Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Frederick Sexton of Holyport, who died July 1st 1883 in the 40th year of his age. 'Thy will be done'. 

Also Annie Elizabeth Sexton the beloved daughter of the above, who died September 25th 1886 at Caracas South America in the 21st year of her age. 'In the midst of life we are in death.' -  'It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good.' 

Also of Mary Sexton, wife of the above, who died Aug 17th 1928 in the 88th year of her age.  Her end was peace."

I was immediately drawn to this gravestone because of the surname Sexton.  Sexton has another meaning other than simply a name.  Sexton - an occupation: A person who looks after a church and churchyard, typically acting as bellringer and gravedigger.  Although it turns out the occupants are Sexton's in name only.

Frederick Sexton was born in Bray, Berkshire in 1844 to James Sexton, a carpenter and wheelwright, and his wife Elizabeth Sargent Smith.  Frederick first appears on the 1851 Census, aged 7, living with his parents and younger brother Henry On the 1861 census Frederick can be found as a Private in the 10th (Prince of Wales Own) Royal Hussars at the Cavalry Barracks, Barrack Street, East Wymer, Norfolk.

On 18th November 1865 at St Mark's Church, Islington, Middlesex, Frederick, now a carpenter, married Mary Fenemore. The Reading Mercury held the following announcement on 9th December 1865:

"On the 18th inst., at St. Mark's, Islington, Mr. Frederick Sexton, of Holyport, to Mary, second daughter of J. Fenemore, Esq.. of Bray. No Cards."

Mary Sexton was born Mary Fenemore in Oxfordshire 1841 to James Fenemore, a pound keeper (a person who owned the local pound where stray livestock were kept), and his wife Caroline Eaglestone. Mary first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 1, living with her parents and siblings in Hampton Gay, Oxfordshire. By the 1851 Census the family had moved to Pound House, Windsor Road, Bray, Berkshire. On the 1861 census, Mary is a housemaid in the home of Charlotte Eleanor Seracold on the Holyport Green, Holyport, Berkshire.  

In 1871 Frederick and Mary can be found living with their children Annie Elizabeth, and Frederick Jr, at Hawthorn Hill, Warfield, Berkshire. By 1881 Frederick and Mary had moved to Holyport, a few houses away from Frederick's parents in Holyport. The family had expanded, welcoming Caroline, James, and Ellen Elise. Annie Elizabeth is living with her grandparents James and Elizabeth.

When Frederick passed away in 1883, Mary became a young widow of 45 with six children to support, the youngest only being 2 years old.  Mary remained in Maidenhead until sometime around the 1911 Census when she can be found living in Clacton on Sea with her youngest daughter Ellen and her husband, Leonard Phillips. Mary was to pass away on 17th August 1928. The Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement on 22nd August 1928:

"Deaths

Sexton- On August 17th, 1928, at Upper Richmond-road, Putney, Mary Seston, who peacefully passes away; aged 88 years."

Annie Elizabeth died in Caracas, Venezuela, South America on 25th September 1886.  Unfortunately, I am unable to find out what Annie was doing in South America or why she died.