Catherine Shelton and Her Second Husband John Shelton, of Albert Street - Lost Four Sons.

Monument to Catherine Shelton and John Shelton.  All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Catherine, the beloved wife of John Shelton who departed this life June 6th 1913, aged 83 years.  Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Also of

John Shelton who departed this life January 15th 1922, aged 91 years.  Rest in peace."

Catherine Shelton was born Catherine Robins in 1829 in Reading Berkshire.  Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any information on her parents.

In 1847 in Eton Buckinghamshire, Catherine married Henry Mealing, a labourer from Bray, Berkshire.  In 1851 Catherine and Henry are living in Post Office Lane in Maidenhead Berkshire, with their two children Catherine and Henry Thomas Mealing.  In 1854 Henry Mealing passes away. Catherine and Henry's final child, a son John, was born after Henry's death in 1855.

John Shelton was born in 1829 in Bisham Berkshire to John Roswell Shelton, a farmer, and his wife Anna Goodchild. John first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 20, living with his parents and siblings at Lee Farm, Bisham Berkshire.  On the 1851 Census John is lodging at the home of Henry and Ruth Hearn in Knowl Hill, Berkshire.

In 1857 in Eton Buckinghamshire, Catherine married John Shelton, a railway plate layer.  In 1861 Catherine and John can be found living in Bridge Street, Maidenhead Berkshire, along with Catherine's children from her previous marriage, Catherine, Thomas, and John, as well as three-year-old Charles and one year old Daniel Shelton (who was to sadly pass away that year), her children with John.

In 1871 the family has moved to 11 Princess Street in Maidenhead.  Catherine, (listed as Kate) and Thomas are still living with their mother and stepfather.  The family had since expanded to include George, William, Walter, Frederick, and Mary Ann.  Sadly, 13-year-old Charles Shelton was to die that year from brain disease.

In 1878 John was the victim of crime when young William Leaver stole six cabbages from John's allotment garden near Maidenhead Railway Station. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 19th June 1878:

"Maidenhead Borough Bench. MONDAY, June 17. Before the Mayor and J. H. Clark, Esq . .

 IN THE CABBAGE GARDEN- William Leaver, a boy, who sometime since was brought before the magistrates for non-attendance at school, was charged with having, on the 15th inst, stolen six cabbages growing in a garden belonging to John Shelton.

—The witness against him was a man who at a quarter past six o'clock on Saturday morning was on the railway station waiting for a train to Reading. He said I walked round towards Mr. Wethered's coal shed and saw this lad in Shelton's garden, cutting the cabbage. It was an allotment garden next to Leavers: Shelton is a railway man. I called to the boy and asked him what he was doing: I thought he'd a' dropped down. He picked tip the cabbages and made to run away, but I told him to put 'em down, and he did. I then went over the ground and fetched the cabbages away—six—and took 'em to Shelton's house. I am sure he is the boy.

—The value of the cabbages was here fixed et 4d.

—Superintendent Austin mentioned that the boy had been away from home since Thursday morning, and that he had previously cut cabbages and hawked them for sale, and got other children to do so.

—The Mayor told him, "We let you off with a fine this time, but if this ever happens again, you will go to gaol. You will be fined 5s., with 8s. costs, and 4d. damage, and this must be paid by Saturday week, or you will have 14 days' imprisonment."

—" And," added the Clerk, "he might have been sent to prison for six months for stealing from a garden.""

The 1881 Census finds the family in Albert Street in Maidenhead, a few yards from their old house in Princess Street.  Five-year-old Earnest [sic] had joined the family in 1876. Sadly in 1882 15-year-old Walter was to drown whilst swimming int he river Thames. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 24th May 1882:

"BAD DEATH BY DROWNING. About 8 o'clock on Monday evening, Walter Shelton, age 15, of 36, Albert-street, and in the employ of Mr. Fernie, grocer, High-street, went with two other lads to bathe in the river on the Bucks side, near the Bush. About half-past 8 o'clock Shelton swam across, and was returning when, about midway, he was heard to cry " Help me!" twice, then sank and never rose again. Search was shortly after made for the body, but it could not be discovered till about 8 o'clock yesterday (Tuesday) morning, when it was found in about eight feet of water, by two men who had been dragging the river. The body was against the trunk of a tree lying in the bed of the river. The body was then removed to Skindle's Hotel to await an inquest. The Borough police took what action was possible in the matter, and the unfortunate boy's clothing is at the Borough police station. The deceased was, we understand, one of six children."

In 1904 John Mealing, Catherine's son from her first marriage was to pass away from cancer at his home in Yorktown Surrey. The Aldershot News reported on 2nd July 1904:

"DEATH OF SUPT. J. MEALING AT CAMBERLEY. With much regret, we have this week to record the death of Mr. John Mealing, superintendent of the Camberley, Yorktown, and Frimley Volunteer Fire Brigade, the sad event taking place at his residence, The Beeches, Frimley-road, on Sunday evening last. The deceased, who was 49 years of age, leaves a widow, five sons, and three daughters, for all of whom the greatest sympathy is felt, although death in this case is an ending to a very long and painful illness, for he had been ill for eight months, suffering from cancer. 

Formerly in business at Maidenhead, Mr. J Mealing, 18 years ago, came to Yorktown to take up the cycle trade, and he has resided here ever since. He was one of the originators of the sports of the old Yorktown and Camberley Cycling Club—which is now amalgamated with St. Michael’s Club—and the first two races in connection with it were run off on the road. Since then the sports have developed wonderfully, until to-day the meeting is one of the most popular in this ‘part of the country. 

To the general public, however, it was by his enthusiastic connection with the local Fire Brigade that the deceased was perhaps best known. He was one of the first to join the Brigade, of which, in 1890, he became the engineer. From that he rose to be superintendent, a position he held for some years, and which he was holding at the time of his death. During the time he held the office the Fire Brigade obtained their own fire station—which, it will be remembered, was built by the members of the Brigade in their spare time—the steam fire engine, hose reel, and new hose, and the fire escape. He did much to strengthen the position of the Brigade, and to bring the members to their present highly efficient state. With the neighbouring Brigades, too, he was held in the greatest esteem and popularity, and it was always one of his greatest pleasures to get his brigade to turn out smartly with their engine to take part in the Aldershot carnivals. In local carnivals and sports he invariably rendered cheerful assistance, and at St. Michael’s annual sports had been for some years superintendent of the track. In politics and similar matters he took no prominent part, but he was a Churchman, and since Easter of 1903 had been a sidesman at St. Michael’s, Yorktown."

John and Catherine Shelton remained at 36 Albert Street until Catherine's death on 6th July 1913.  John Shelton was to pass away on 15th January 1922. The Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement on 18th January 1922:

"Deaths

Shelton- On Sunday, Jan. 15th, at 44 Albert-street, John Shelton, passed away peacefully in his 92nd year. - Reat in peace."