Mary Sarah and Richard Gorton of Chuffs Farm, Holyport, Berkshire

Monument to Mary Sarah Gorton and Richard Gorton of Chuffs Farm, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.

"Sacred to the memory of Mary Sarah beloved wife of Richard Gorton (of Chuffs Farm Holyport) who died August 10th 1904 aged 76 years.

Also

Richard Gorton who died July 29th 1915 aged 85 years."

Mary Sarah Gorton was born Mary Sarah Snook in 1830 in West Knoyle, Wiltshire to William Snook, a farmer, and his wife Jane Ovens.

Mary can first be found on the 1841 Census, aged 10, living with her parents and sblings in West Knoyle, Wiltshire. By 1851 the family has moved to Byde Mill, in Hannington, Wiltshire.

In 1853 Mary married Richard Gorton, a farmer and baker in 1853 in Highworth Wiltshire.

Richard was born in 1831 in Highworth Wiltshire to Charles Gorton, a baker, and his wife Jane Yeats.

Richard first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 10, living with his parents and siblings in Sheep Street, Highworth, Wiltshire. In 1851 Richard has taken over the bakery in Sheep Street along with his sister Elizabeth, while his parents have taken over a Crouch farm in Highworth, Wiltshire. While working as a baker in Highworth, Richard was contacted to supply bread and flour to the union workhouse at 6½d per 4lb loaf and flour at £2.6s a sack.

The 1861 Census finds Richard and Mary living in Market Place, Highworth, Wiltshire with their children Sarah Jane, William Charles, and Henry George. Also living with the family was Thomas Austin, a baker, John Ely, and apprentice baker, Charlotte Llot, a housemaid, Elizabeth Johnson, a nursemaid, William Moulden, an agricultural labourer, and his 10-year-old son George, who is listed as being a plough boy. By the 1871 Census the family at moved to Upper Inglesham Road, Inglesham, Wiltshire where Richard is listed as just a farmer. The family had grown to include Mary, Ellen, Elizabeth, Agnes, Fanny, and Lucy. Living with the family is Franny Grub, a general domestic servant, and Elizabeth Clark, a dairymaid. Visiting the family at the time of the census was Sarah Winter. Later in 1871 Richard and Mary were to suffer the loss of their two-year-old daughter, Fanny.

By 1881 the family had moved to 22 Newport Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, where Richard is now listed as just a baker. The family had grown to include their daughter Stafford Louise. 1891 finds Richard, his wife Mary and daughters Mary and Stafford living at Temple Dairy, Hurley Berkshire. By 1901 Ricard, Mary and their daughter Mary had moved to Chuff's Dairy (Chuff's farm), in Holyport, Berkshire. However, Mary Sarah was to pass away three years later on 10th August 1904. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 17th August 1904:

"Death of Mrs. Gorton- 

We regret to have to record the death of Mrs. Gorton, wife of Mr. Gorton, of Chaff's Farm, Holyport, which occurred somewhat suddenly on Wednesday last. Mrs. Gorton, who was 74 years of age, had been ailing for some time. She was much respected by all who knew her. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon at Bray cemetery, the officiating clergyman being the Rev. H. J. F. Tringham. The coffin, which was of polished elm, with brass furniture, bore the following inscription

" Mary Sarah Gorton, died Aug. 10, 1901, aged 74 years." 

The mourners were Mr. Gorton (husband), Mr. and Mrs. Sharps (son-in-law and eldest daughter), Mr. end Mrs. Charles Gorton (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Georg* Gorton (son and daughter-in-law), Miss Mary Gorton (daughter), Mr. and M. Snowden (son-in-law and daughter), Mrs. Millington (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Parker (son-in-law and daughter), and Mr. J. Snook (deceased's brother).

Floral tokens were contributed by the following Mr. and Miss Gorton (Holyport), Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe (South Manton, Swindon). Mr. and Mrs. C. Gorton (London), Mr. and Mrs. G. Gorton (Holyport), Mr. and Mrs. Snowden (Woking), Mrs. Millington (London), Mr. and Mrs. Parker (London), Mrs. Horton (Down Ampney, Cricklade). and Mrs. A. Willson (Holyport). The funeral arrangements were very satisfactorily carried out by Mr. F. Sexton, undertaker, Holyport."

Mr. F. Sexton is Frederick Sexton, son of Frederick Sexton of Holyport.

Later that year, Richard sold the dairy farm and retired. The Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement on 21st December 1904:

" HOLYPORT DAIRY. ESTABLISHED 1870. J. GOOD & SONS, 

Cowkeepers, Dairy Farmers and Poulterers,

Beg to announce that they have Purchased the CHUFFS PARK DAIRY BUSINESS of Mr. R. GORTON, and hope by strict attention to business to obtain the support lately extended to Mr. R. Gorton. 

Pure New Milk from our own Farms, and all kinds of Dairy Produce Delivered Twice Daily in Maidenhead and Bray." 

The 1911 Census shows widowed Richard living with his spinster daughter Mary at 8 Broadway, Maidenhead Berkshire.  Richard was to pass away on 29th July 1915.

Their daughter Mary was to pass away in 1929, 14 years after the death of her father.