Henry Worster, Butcher of Cookham Village, His wife Martha Worster, Their Young Daughters Annette and Ann Ester, and Their Son Henry Worster Jr

Monument to Henry Worster, Ann Ester Worster, Annetta Worster, Martha Worster and Henry Worster, Holy Trinity Church, Cookham, Berkshire, England.

"To The Memory Of Henry Worster died June 7th 1860 Aged 68 Years.  Also Ann Ester Aged 9 Years, Annetta Aged 21 Years - Daughters of the above - Also Martha Worster - Wife of the above - Died Feb 17th 1868 Aged 75 Years.  Also Henry Worster - Eldest son of the above Died Aug 20th 1896 Aged 73 Years."

Henry Worster was born in 1792 in Cookham, Berkshire to Henry Worster and his wife Hester Hancock.

Henry was Christened on 27th May 1792 in Cookham, Berkshire.  On 11th June 1820 Henry married Martha Lanaway in Westminster in London.

Martha Worster was born Martha Lanaway in 1794 in Cookham, Berkshire, to James Lanaway, and his wife Mary

Henry and Martha first appear on the 1841 Census. Henry is aged around 40, living in and working as a master butcher in Cookham with his wife Martha, and children Annette aged 20, Henry aged 18, Thomas aged 10, Ann Ester aged 8, Emily aged 6, and Edward aged 3.

Sadly in 1842 both Annette and Ann Ester pass away. Annette on 25th July, aged 21, and Ann ester in the September of 1842, aged just 9 years old.

On the 1851 Census the family is still living and working in Cookham; however, Henry Jr can be found lodging at 12 New Cavandish in Marylebone, London.

Henry Snr was to pass away 9 years later on 7th June 1860. On 16th June 1860, the Reading Mercury carried the following announcement:

"On the 7th inst., at Cookham, Mr, Henry Worster, butcher, aged 68, universally respected."

Just under a year later on the 1861 Census, the recently widowed Martha can be found visiting friends in Kensington, London.  Young Edward is working as a grocer's apprentice for Philip Mason in Swindon, Wiltshire.  I have been unable to locate Henry Jr on the 1861 Census.  Just 7 years later, in 1868, Martha joined her husband.

1871, Edward is a grocer's assistant for Benjamin Christopher, living at 11 Abbey Gate Street, Bury, St. Edmunds in Suffolk.  Henry Jr, now aged 47 is working as a Butler at Cross Hayes Hall in Yoxall, Staffordshire.

I have been unable to locate Henry on the 1881 Census.

In 1891 Henry has returned home to Cookham and is living at Newsam House with his servant Sarah Woods.  Living next-door is Henry younger brother Edward and his family.

Henry then passes away on 20th August 1896 aged 73 years. On 26th August 1896, the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"DEATH of Mr. HENRY WORSTER.

We regret to record the death of a much respected and old inhabitant of Cookham, Mr. Henry Worster, who passed peacefully away on Thursday, at about 6 a.m. Mr. Worster, after a busy life, retired about ten years ago, and has since lived in Newsam House, built by him and close to the spot where his childhood was spent. During the time he resided in Cookham he took very keen interest in the welfare of the villagers, especially the young lads of the village club. His familiar figure will be sadly missed. The funeral took place in Cookham churchyard on Monday after-noon, and although it rained the whole time, a goodly number attended to pay a last mark of respect for an old friend. Amongst those present were: Mr. and Mrs. E. Worster, Mr. and Mrs. Ford North. Mr. and Mrs. William Slack, Mrs. W. Spencer, Mrs. Julius Spencer, Mr. Llewellyn, Mr. Waller, Mr. Walter West, Mr. W. Deadman, Mrs. Hatch, Miss Ellen Dakin, Miss Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Francis, Mr. Shergold, sen., and others. 

Some lovely tokens of sympathy were sent from many of the friends of deceased, including the following:—Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hatch, wreath of eucharis, white lilies and white asters, on foundation of maidenhair and caladium; Mr. and Mrs. Llewellyn, wreath of white asters, roses, and maidenhair fern; Miss Goolden, crescent of white and purple asters; "A.R.," wreath of roses, lilies, cactus dahlias and pancratium; Mr. and Mrs. A. Hatch, wreath of white dahlias, roses. lilies and maidenhair; Miss Ellen Dakin, wreath of lilies, asters, roses, white sweet peas, white carnations and maidenhair; " A L.S.," wreath of white lilies, asters and maidenhair; Mrs. M. Hatch, wreath of white asters, roses, dahlias and maidenhair; Miss Taylor, wreath of lilies, asters, carnations, white sweet peas and maidenhair; Mr. Walter West, wreath of roses, white petunia, carnations and maidenhair; Lady Young, spray of gold roses; Mr. and Mrs. Ford North, wreath of white roses, carnations, white sweet peas, white asters, purple asters, and lilies, on foundation of maidenhair and asparagus fern; from "The little children he loved so well" (his little nephew and nieces), wreath of lilies, white pelargoniums and maidenhair; the Hon. Mrs. and Miss Anson, wreath of white everlasting flowers. The coffin was of polished oak, with massive brass furniture, and bore the inscription: —" Henry Worster; died 20th August, 1896; aged 73 years." 

The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. Thos. Wigg, of Cookham."


Connections: Thomas and Emily Worster, son and daughter of Henry and Martha, brother and sister to Henry Worster Jr.