Harriet Gurney and her husband Joseph Morten Gurney of Pinkney's Farm, and Later Woodley Farm House, Maidenhead Thicket

Monument to Harriet and Joseph Morten Gurney, St James the Less Churchyard, Stubbings Berkshire.

"Sacred to the memory of Harriet the wife of Joseph Morten Gurney who died February 8th 1882 aged 77 years.  Also of Joseph Morten Gurney who died September 17th 1895 aged 88 years - Lord Remember Me."

Joseph Morten Gurney was born in 1807 to Thomas Gurney, near St Albans, Hertfordshire.  I have been unable to locate Joseph on the 1841 Census. On March 8th 1844, Joseph marries Harriet Wright at Saint John the Evangelist Church, Waterloo Road, Lambeth, London. Harriet Gurney was born Harriet Wright in 1804 to John Wright, a farmer, in Redhill, Surrey. 

Baptism records show that Joseph and Harriet had at least one son called William Parker, who died in infancy and one daughter called Mary Elizabeth.

The 1851 Census finds Joseph, Harriet and young Mary living in Frogmore Street, Tring, Hertfordshire. Joseph's occupation is listed as a farmer of 139 acres, employing 8 labourers. Living with them is their cook, Ann Ayres, and nursemaid, Fanny Buckmaster.

On the 1861 Census, Joseph, Harriet and Mary are living and working at Pinkney's Farm in Pinkney's Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Joseph is a farmer of 367 acres employing 11 men, and 4 boys.  On 4th April 1866 their only surviving child Mary marries chemist Charles Henry Thompson and moves to Castle Hill in Maidenhead.  The Bucks Herald carried the following announcement on 14th April 1866:

"Thompson—Gurney.—On the 5th inst., at the District Church, Cookham Dean, Charles Henry, only surviving son of Benjamin Thompson, of Huddersfield, to Mary Elizabeth, only daughter of Joseph Morten Gurney, of Pinkneys, Maidenhead."

1871, Joseph and Harriet are still farming Pinkney' Farm.  This time only 345 acres, employing 12 men, 3 boys and 2 women.

In 1881, a year before Harriets death, both Joseph and Harriet are living at Woodley Farm House, Maidenhead Thicket, where Joseph's occupation is listed as a retired farmer.  

Harriet was to pass away on 8th February aged 77. The Reading Mercury carried the following announcement on 18th February 1882:

"Gurney- On the 8th inst., at Woolley Farm House, Maidenhead Thicket, Harriett, the wife of Joseph Morten Gurney, her 78th year."

1891 sees the widowed Joseph still living at Woodley Farm House.  Joseph passed away on 17th September 1895 aged 88. The Reading Mercury reported on 21st September 1895:

"Death of Old Residents.—We have to announce the death of Mr. Joseph Morten Gurney, of Woodley Farm, which occurred on Tuesday morning. Mr. Gurney, who was in his 89th year, had been ailing for some time, and the end was not altogether unexpected. Mr. Gurney was a native of Hertfordshire, and was educated at St. Albans, but spent far the greater part of his life in this district, first at Pinkney's Farm, and latterly at Woolley Farm. He had, however, for several years given up farming. He was great number of years a Guardian of the Poor in the Cookham Union Board, and his work there won golden opinions, as he did in everything he undertook."

The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on the funeral on 25th September 1895:

"FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. JOSEPH MORTEN GURNEY. 

Our last issue contained an anno the death, is his 89th year, of Mr. Joseph Morten Gurney, of Maidenhead Thicket, who had been living in this neighbourhood since 1852. He was born in the reign of George 111., and at times used to enjoy relating to his friend, his recollections of that Monarch, George IV., and William IV., as well as of the sensation caused by the news of the battle of Waterloo, and many of the stirring events which have taken place since that time. We understand that Mr. J. M. Gurney was a descendant of Thomas Gurney, the Quaker, and companion of George Fox, and that amongst the papers of the deceased is an interesting statement respecting previous ancestors up to the time of their residence in Normandy in the year 912. Hugh the 2nd was one of the Norman Generals, who, with his son Hugh the 3rd, was present at the battle of Hastings in 1066. Mr. Gurney had a retiring but genial and kind disposition, and was esteemed and loved by those who knew him. He had been ailing for some time, and the end was not unexpected. He was a native of Hertfordshire, and was educated at St. Albans, but spent the greater part of his life in this district. first at Pinkney's Farm, and latterly at Woolley Farm. He had, however, for several years given up farming. He was for a great number of years a Guardian of the Poor at the Cookham Union Board, and rendered able and zealous assistance in that character. 

The funeral took place on Saturday last, at Stubbings Church, the Vicar (Rev. G. E. Hodges) officiating. The mourners were : Mr. C. H. Thompson, Mr. C. G. Thompson, Mr. James Gurney, Mr. William Gurney, Mr. Lovejoy, Mr. Henry Gurney, and Mr. Smith. Amongst those present we noticed the Rev. T H. Wrenford, Vicar of Littlewick; Rev. H. M. Dyer, Vicar of White Waltham; Mr. Joseph Gardner, Mr. W. Weall, Mr. Walton, &c. The coffin, which was of polished oak, with brass furniture, bore the following inscription:— 

"JOSEPH MORTEN GURNEY, Died September 17th, 1895, Aged 88 years." 

The funeral arrangements were admirably carried out by Mr. J. C. Webber, High-street, Maidenhead."