Eliza and William Deacon - Ray Mead Hotel, Maidenhead Berkshire, East Arms Hotel, Hurley, Berkshire

Monument to Eliza and William Deacon, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Eliza Deacon who died 11th February 1886 aged 57 years.  She looked well to the ways of her household.

Also William Deacon who died 10th September 1894 aged 59 years.  His end was peace."

Eliza Deacon was born Eliza Harman in 1828 in Bray Berkshire to Richard Harman, an innkeeper, and his wife Sarah Skinner.  Eliza first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 12, living with her parents and siblings in Touchen End, Bray, Berkshire. In 1851, 22-year-old Eliza was a house servant for the Gilpin family at The Grange, Hockliffe Bedfordshire. I cannot trace Eliza on the 1861 Census.

Eliza married William Deacon on 12th November 1866 at Saint Saviour, Paddington, London.  Eliza was William's second wife, his first being Mary Woodhouse who passed away in 1861. Eliza and William had a son James Henry Deacon in 1870. 

William Deacon was born in 1835 in White Waltham Berkshire to Thomas Deacon, a coachman, and his wife Elizabeth. William first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 4, living with his parents and siblings in Star Lane, Hurley, Berkshire. The family are still living in Star Lane, Hurley in 1851. In 1856 William married his first wife Mary Woodhouse and together they had four children, William, Thomas, Mary Selina, and Emma Esther.  In 1871 William can be found with his second wife Eliza running The Ray Mead Hotel, then called the Ray Tavern, in Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead Berkshire.  1881 find the family still at the hotel in Ray Mead Road, now named The Ray Mead Hotel.

The Ray Mead Hotel, Maidenhead,
Berkshire

William was an active Councillor in Maidenhead and Hurley. 

After Eliza's death in 1886, William married Elizabeth Ann Aylett in 1888 in Colchester.  In 1889 William and Elizabeth moved to The East Arms Hotel in Hurley Berkshire, three years before William's death, they can be found there on the 1891 census.

Advertisement Card for the East Arms Hotel
Hurley, Berkshire

William was to pass away on 10th September 1894, the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 12th September 1894:

" OBITUARY —We regret to announce the death of Mr. William Deacon, landlord of the East Arms, Hurley, who expired on Monday morning last, after a short illness, at the comparatively early age of 59. best part of Mr. Deacon's life was spent in Maidenhead and its vicinity. He was landlord for many years of the Ray Mead Hotel, which he conducted with much success and left to the great regret of his numerous visitors and riverside folk generally. Mr. Deacon took a keen interest in local affairs. He was for a considerable period chairman of the Licensed Victuallers' Protection Society, and served for several years as a member of the Town Council. He was an amiable and generous man, and was greatly respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. The funeral will take place at 2.30, at St. Luke's Church, Maidenhead, on Friday."

The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on William's funeral at St Lukes Church, Maidenhead, on 19th September 1894:

"FUNERAL OF THE LATE Ma. WILLIAM DEACON. —The remains of the late Mr. William Deacon, of Hurley, were interred in Bt. Luke's churchyard, Maidenhead. on Friday last. The coffin was conveyed in an elegant funeral car by road from Hurley, and arrived at St. Luke's church shortly after 2.30, and by this time a large number of residents. including most of the Licensed Victuallers of this town, had congregated outside the church—amongst them, 

Mears. J. Meeks, J. Gilroy. W. A. Thompson, J. Lepper, W. Hall, A. L. Jefferies. E. Worster (Cookham), W. Colliass', J. Brant, East, E. Clout, Sargent (Taplow), G. Tubb, T. Nash, J. H. Barford, J. I. Moth, H. Stevens, J. Perry, R. Langton, Moon (Marlow), and Howard and Mrs. L. Wilder and Mrs. Aldridge. 

The mourners were the widow, Mr. T. Deacon (son), Mrs. Vandyke (daughter), Mr. J. H. Deacon (son), Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Walker. Miss P. Deacon and Miss S. Deacon (sisters), Mrs. H. Woodhouse and Miss Emson (daughters). 

The service, both in the church and at the graveside, was impressively performed by the Vicar of St. Luke's (Rev. M. G. J. Mears). The coffin was completely hidden by a fine collection of wreaths, etc. It was of polished elm, and the brass plate bore the following inscription :

"William Deacon. died 10th September, 1894, aged 59 years." 

The following amongst others sent wreaths and crosses:—The widow and family, Mr. and Mrs. Lamb, Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, members of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, members of the Grenfell Lodge R.A.0.B., Mr. and Mrs. Seymour, of Wargrave, Mr. and Mrs. Max Fahrmbacher, Mr. and Mrs. H. Woodhouse, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bishop, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Scott (Langley), Mr. and Mrs. George Stevens. Mr. and Mrs. Rose, sen., Mr. and Mrs. Clifton (Marlow), Mr. and Mrs. Sargent (Taplow), Mr. and Mrs. Mackie, and friends from Hurley Lock. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. J. C. Webber, High-street, Maidenhead."

On 29th September 1894 Elizabeth was granted on hold on the license of the East Arms Hotel in Hurley. Elizabeth continued to run the East Arms Hotel after her husband's death. She was to pass away in 1917 in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire