Catherine Woodbridge - Her Brother John Henry Woodbridge - Accidental Death

Monument to Catherine and John Henry Woodbridge, Methodist Church, High Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In affectionate remembrance of Catherine third daughter of William and Amelia Woodbridge who died July 18th 1862 aged 19 years.

Also

John Henry second son of the above who died July 12th 1880 aged 30 years."

Catherine Woodbridge was born on 13th March 1843 in Maidenhead, Berkshire to William Woodbridge, a carpenter and builder and later, Mayor of Maidenhead, and his wife Amelia Jones.

On the 1851 Census, eight-year-old Catherine can be found living with her parents at Park Road in Maidenhead. 1861 Census, just over a year from her death Catherine is still living with her parents and siblings at Park Road in Maidenhead, no occupation is listed for her, but her elder sister Sarah Jane is listed as milliner (hat maker).  It is possible that Catherine helped her sister.  Sadly, Catherine was to pass away on 18th July 1862.

***

 

 

John Henry Woodbridge was born on 20th September 1849.  One year old John can be found on the 1851 Census with his family at Park Road, Maidenhead and again aged 12 in 1861.  in 1871 the family has moved to Queen Street in Maidenhead.  There is no occupation listed for John, but it is probable that he helped his father in the building industry.  1871 was a busy year for William Woodbridge as he was contracted to build Maidenhead's first main railway station.

 

 

In 1872 in Sussex John Henry married Jane Ann Pacy, known as Jeanie. in 1873 their only child was born Charles Albert Woodbridge.  Seven years later John Henry was to pass away in after an accident on 12th July 1880. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on the inquest into John's death on 21st July 1880:

"THE SAD ACCIDENT. On Wednesday an inquest was held at the Fire Horse Shoes Inn, Remenham, W. Weedon, Seq., and a jury, on the body of John Henry Woodbridge. aged 30 years, son of Ald. Woodbridge. of Maidenhead. 

Mr. William Woodbridge said the deceased, my son, aged about 30, assisted in my business. On Monday we west to Watlington, and in the afternoon my son was driving me by way of Henley, at about 4.43. We were some 30 yards or so from this house, having passed over the top of the steep hill, when the pony stumbled and fell. Mv son, who was driving very slowly and carefully was, on a higher seat than myself, and was pitched out of the trap right away from the pony, and I was also thrown out. Soon recovering myself. I went to my son, and found him lying in a pool of blood, with his face on the ground, and with blood flowing from his ear. I called to him and said "Where are hurt, John?" but he did not answer me. He only looked. Scarcely a second or two elapsed before I went to him. Failing to be able to lift him up myself, I called for help. My son was moved to the bank, and to this house, medical aid being meanwhile sent for from Henley. Mr. Jeston arrived within an hour, and called again in the evening with his partner. My son got much worse, and died at about half-past ten the same night. Wallington is about 18 miles from Maidenhead. We stayed three hours or thereabout, and again baited the pony at Henley. I imagine the pony was somewhat tired in coming op the hill, and that it stumbled crossing a small rut, or gutter in the road, caused by the rain. 

Dr. Andrew Harrison, landlord of the Five Horse Shoes Inn, Remenham, said: Hearing from my son that an accident had happened near by. I at once went to the spot to render any assistance I could. I saw the deceased sitting on the side of the road supported by two men, and his face being washed. He appeared quite insensible, and was brought here by my wish, I saw nothing whatever in the road to account for the horse stumbling, and the harness was all good. The deceased expired at 10.30. The coroner made a few remarks on the sad calamity, and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." body was removed at the conclusion of the evidence to Maidenhead, and on Friday morning interred in the Wesleyan Chapel burial ground, in the presence of a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends." 

Five Horse Shoes, Remenham, Henley.
Now a private house.

The recently widowed twenty-six-year-old Jeanie and eight-year-old Charles can be found on the 1881 Census living at 1 Grenfell Road (near to the recently built Maidenhead Rail Station).  Jeanie took in lodgers at her home to make ends meet.  Charles was to follow in his grandfather William's footsteps to become a carpenter and builder.  He later named his first-born son John Henry after his father.

 

In 1893 Jane Ann remarried John Herridge, a carpenter from Maidenhead.

 

Both Catherine and John Henry are interred in the vaults beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street.