Ann Green, Housekeeper of Temple House, Bisham, Berkshire - Died aged 106

Monument to Ann Green, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.

"In 

Memory 

of 

Ann Green.  

For many years 

the faithful 

housekeeper 

at 

Temple House.  

Who departed this life 

the 4th of February 1862 

aged 106 years."

Ann Green was born in Ireland around 1756 which makes researching her early life very difficult.  She appears on the 1861 Bisham census aged 105 as a widow boarding with Thomas and Maragret Smith near Temple Lodge, Bisham, Berkshire.  

Temple House, Bisham

Temple house was a large manor house built by Samuel Wyatt for the mill owner Thomas Williams in the late 18th century.  The Williams were a very important family in Bisham with many of the men entering into politics.  It seems that they were very fond of Ann, making sure she had a beautiful marker for her final resting place.

You can read more about the Williams of Temple House here: 

Lieutenant General Owen Lewis Cope Williams MP and Edith Countess of Aylesford

Second World War Commonwealth War Grave - First Officer David Russell Hayward, Air Transport Auxiliary

 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

First Officer David Russell Hayward was born on 7th June 1920 in Adelaide, Australia, to Edwyn Walton (Jim) Hayward C.B.E. O.B.E., a director at John Martin & Co, and Australian department store, and his wife Eileen Frances Russell. David and his family moved to England when he was five years old.

David was an avid cricket player during his time at Oxford University.  He also played for Middlesex.

David's father Edwyn was to pass away on 30th August 1933, following a heart attack

On 22n March 1941 David married Peggy Alice Georgina Farmer.  David and Peggy had a son, Richard, together in 1943.

David had previously enlisted with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, Air Fleet Arm from 27 May 1940, but was dismissed as unfit for service on 4th September 1944, due to constant sea sickness. Later David joined the Air Transport Auxiliary. during his time with the A.TA., David was involved in two accidents, the first taking place on 15th December 1943 when he undershot the runway during a forced landing of his Walrus HD916 after engine failure in bad weather.  David was injured and was treated in a hospital in East Grinstead for head injuries and concussion.

First Officer David Hayward

The second accident on the 21st April 1945 was to prove fatal, David was in command of a Fairchild Argus II HB595 at Lasham Airfield, Hampshire in what was to be a moonlight take off.  The Argus's engines cut soon after take-off and the aircraft crashed and burned not far from Lasham Hill Farm.  A later investigation found that the petrol cocks were only half on at the point of impact.

Fairchild Argus II

Taphophile Trgaics: Edward John Norsworthy - Plasterer

Monument to Edward John Norsworthy, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


"In Loving Memory of My Dear Husband, Edward John Norsworthy who entered into rest January 1st 1895 Aged 26 Years."


Edward John Norsworthy was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire in 1868 to Edwards Norsworthy, a plasterer, and his wife Emma.

In 1871 Edward appears on the Census aged three years old, living with his parents, elder sister Jessey and younger brother William at 21 Victoria Street in Maidenhead, Berkshire. 

By 1881 the family had moved to 7 Victoria Street in Maidenhead.  Edward's younger sisters Emily had been born in 1872 and Clara in 1874.  Sadly in 1882, 10 year old Emily was to pass away.  In 1889 Edward's mother Emma passed away.

Edward was an avid football play and played several matches for Boyne Hill Football Club.

Two years after the death of Emma the family are still together in Victoria street.  William is working as a house painter, while Edward has followed his father in becoming a plasterer.  Living with the family  at the time is their cousin Emily Edwards.

In 1892 in Eton, near Windsor, Edward John married Charlotte Sarah Jefferys.  Sadly Edward was to die just three years later in 1895.

In 1900 the widowed Charlotte married William Henry Pillar, a police constable.  They remained together until William's death in 1939.  Charlotte followed William to the grave in 1956.  They had no children.


Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday

Cemetery Sunday - Overgrown

All Saints Churchyard, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England.

 

 

There us a reason that this particular churchyard is overgrown.  During the summer the grass in this section is left to grow wild.  This is due to some rare wildflowers and insects that have been found inhabiting the churchyard.  Once summer is over and it is safe to do so, the grass is cut.

 

 

 

Flashback Friday - Pet Cemetery, Cliveden House, Taplow, Berkshire

**Originally posted on 21st August 2012**

 

 

The 'burials' date from 1874 - 1956 and contain mainly dogs and a few horses or ponies, unfortunately I can find no information on the history of the pet cemetery, or whether all the animals belonged to the same family, the Astors of Cliveden House.  It's in the Ilex Grove part of the grounds and sadly is not very well maintained or even sign posted.  We just happened across it.

There has been a house on the site at Cliveden, meaning - valley among cliffs, in Taplow Buckinghamshire since 1666.  The present house was built in 1851 and is a Grade I listed Italianate mansion.  In 1893 the estate was purchased by William Waldolf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor.  He became a virtual recluse after the death of his wife Mary Dahlgren Paul in 1894.  In 1906 Viscount Astor gave Cliveden and its ground to his son Waldorf on his marriage to Nancy Langhorne. The Astor family remained at Cliveden until 1969 when the house and grounds were leased by Stanford University.  The house is now owned by The National Trust and is a Luxuary Hotel.

It seems that most of the pet 'burials' took place during the time the Astor family resided at Cliveden.  It is such a shame that no more is known of this peaceful resting place for man and woman's best friends.

"Christoper, A favourite pony"

"Flossie"

"Missie"

"Chono"

"Laddie"

"Trixie"

"Baloo"

"Doushky"

"Dixie"

"Daphne"

"Midget"

"Blennie"

"Pugsy, dear pug"

"Tommy"

"Wallace"

"Snuff"

"Traffic Light"

There is another more famous pet cemetery in Hyde Park, London.  To read more about it, click here.

Wednesday's Child - Keith Slater Allen

Memorial to Keith Slater Allen, All Saints Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


"In Sweet Memory of Keith Slater Allen Died Dec 29th 1930 Aged I Month."


Keith Slater Allen was born in the November of 1930 in Maidenhead,Berkshire to William S Allen and Rose S Allum.

Sadly little Keith was to pass away on 29th December 1930 aged just one month old.

Taphophile Tragics - Mary Jane and Mildred Edith Neal, Mother and Daughter

Monument to Mary Jane and Mildred Edith Neal, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


"In ever Loving Memory of Mildred Edith The Dearly Loved Daughter of G. and M. Neal.  Died January 14th 1932 aged 24 years. Thy Will Be Done.  Also In Affectionate Remembrance. A Devoted Mother.  Mary Jane Neal.  Died May 3rd 1851 Aged 83 Years."


Mary Jane Neal was born Mary Jane Bennett in Tetbury, Gloucestershire in 1868.  Unfortunately I have been unable to locate Mary on the Census returns pre 1901.  Mary Jane Bennett is a very popular name.

In 1892 in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, Mary Jane married George Neal, a gardener.  A some point between 1896 and 1899 Mary and George moved to 62 St Mark's Road, Maidenhead.  They had seven children together, Ellen born in 1894, Gertrude born in 1896, Herbert born in 1899, Albert born in 1901, Elise born 1903, Marjorie born 1905 and Mildred born in 1907.  Sadly baby Albert was to die in infancy.

In 1911 Mary's family were still living at 62 St Mark's Road.  Mary Jane is working as a house keeper.  Ellen's occupation is listed as dressmaker and Gertrude as a cashier and book keeper.

Sadly Mildred was to pass away in 1932 aged only 24 years old.  George Neal was to pass away in 1945 aged 76 years and Mary Jane in 1851 aged 83. 


Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday

Cemetery Sunday - Stanley's Angel

Holy Trinity, Cookham

 

Holy Trinity, Cookham

 

 

 

Second World War Commonwealth War Grave - First Officer Wilbur Washington "Bee" Acton, Air Transport Auxiliary - Killed in Mid Air Collison

 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.



Wilbur Washington "Bee" Acton was born on 23rd December 1915 to William Albert Acton and his wife Irene Reece, in Ohio, USA.

In the States Wilbur worked as an airplane salesman for Dave Peterson Charter Services in Kansas.

During World War Two Wilbur signed up with the Air Transport Auxiliary on a contract basis, ferrying bomber and fighter planes from factories in Canada to England. The first contract lasted a year from 16th May 1941 to 15th May 1942. The second contract Wilbur signed was to last 18 months from 12th August 1943.  Wilbur was to earn the nickname "Bee" during his time flying for the A.T.A., it was reported that he was a "keen pilot competent to fly all types of single engine and light and medium twin aircraft."

First Officer Wilbur "Bee" Acton.

On 8th July 1944 First Officer Wilbur Acton was flying an Anson I NK773, when an Oxford X7134 piloted by Flight Lieutenant Bernard N Phillips, descended below the cloud cover and collided with the tail of Wilbur's Anson.  Both planes crashed in a field just five miles north of Hullavington, Rodbourne, Wiltshire.

RAF Pilot Bernard Norman Philips of the Oxford was killed, along with Squadron Leader William Alfred Law.

On July 20th 1944 Flight Magazine reported -

"Air Transport Auxiliary

First Officer Wilbur Washington (Bee) Acton, U.S.A., A.T.A., killed in the course of ferrying duties in England."

It seems at odds that the sacrifice these brave men and women made could simply be summed up in one sentence.

Restored Anson Mk I Bomber in flight

Source - Wikipedia

 

Taphophile Tragics - Marmaduke and Eliza Mary Hitchcox, Saddlers of Marlow Buckingamshire

Memorial to Eliza Mary and Marmaduke Hitchcox, All Saints Churchyard, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England.


"Sacred to the memory of Eliza Mary Hitchcox who died Sept.er 10th 1834 aged 30 years - Also of  Marmaduke Hitchcox, Husband of the above who died Feb.ry 13th 1845 aged 47 years."


Eliza Mary Hitchcox was born illegitimately Eliza Mary Heine to George Albert Heine and Elizabeth Chapman in 1803.

In 1825 Eliza married Marmaduke Hitchcox on 19th September in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. 

Marmaduke Hitchcox was born in Chadlington, Oxford in 1796 to Samuel Hitchcox and his wife Sarah.

Together they had six children, Mary born in 1826 who sadly died in 1827 and was buried on 14th January, Maria born 1827, George Albert born in 1829, Martha born in 1831, Samuel Sands born in 1832 and Menella Chapman born 1834.

Eliza Mary was to die soon after Menella's birth.  It is possible that her death was due to complications following the birth of her daughter.  Eliza Mary was buried at All Saints Churchyard on 14th September 1834.

On the 1841 Census the widowed Marmaduke appears, living on Spittal Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire.  Marmaduke's occupation is given as a saddler, someone who makes saddles and harnesses for horses.  Living with Marmaduke are his children Maria, George, Martha, Samuel (listed as Sands) and Menella.  Also living with the family is Eliza Mary's mother, Elizabeth Heine.

Marmaduke was to pass away on 13th February 1845 aged just 47 years old. 


Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday

Cemetery Sunday - John Shaw, Town Surgeon of Marlow

 

"Sacred

to the Memory of

JOHN SHAW

 late of this Town Surgeon

who died 9th October 1823

Aged 31 Years."

 

 

All Saints Churchyard, Marlow, Buckinghamshire England.


 

 

 

 



The Life and Death of Sarah Beesley, Fruitier and Baker of Littlewick Green, and her son Henry Beesley the Oldest Man in England

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

Memorial to Sarah Beesley, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory of Sarah

widow of the late 

David Beesley 

who entered into rest 

3rd April 1894 

Aged 89 years."

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

Sarah Beesley was born Sarah West in Great Marlow Buckinghamshire in 1804 to James, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Sarah. 

Sarah West and David Beesley married in 1840 in Upton cum Chalvey, ten years after their first daughter Sarah was born in 1830.

On the 1841 Census Sarah can be found living with her husband, and daughter Sarah in Littlewick Green, White Waltham.  By 1851 the family had grown to include a daughter Ann in 1846, and a son Henry on 31st May 1847. David's occupation at the time is listed as a fruitier. On the 1861 Census Sarah's widowed and elderly father James is living with them in Littlewick Green. James West was to pass away the next year in 1862 aged 86 years. That same year Sarah and David's eldest daughter Sarah married William Haines, a bricklayer, in Cookham Berkshire

When David passed away in the spring of 1870 Sarah took over the business.  The 1871 Census finds Sarah recently widowed living with her son Henry and daughter Ann, her occupation is listed as fruitier and baker. In 1876 Henry married Kezia Richings in London, Henry worked as a baker in Littlewick Green before moving to Reading sometime after the 1901 Census and becoming a wine merchant.  

Ann married Alfred Thomas Taylor, a bank cashier at Lloyds Bank, on 6th December 1877 at Saint Mary's Church in Islington. In 1881 Sarah had moved to 1 Jasmine Cottage Craufurd Rise, Maidenhead with her daughter Ann and her husband Alfred. Sarah was still living at 1 Jasmine Cottage along with her daughter's family when she died in 1894. Ann would pass away in 1920.  Henry however would pass away on 20th June 1953, shortly after celebrating his 106th birthday. The Reading Standard reported on Friday 5th June 1953

"Surrounded by greeting cards, Mr. Henry Beesley celebrated his 106th birthday in a private ward at the Wokingham Hospital on Sunday. A telegram with Coronation greetings came from the Queen and one came from the staff of Wokingham Post Office. His sister. Mrs. Goodchild. [sic] (Mrs Goodchild was in fact his daughter Daisy Goodchild) was present at the party, and he was visited by the Mayor of Wokingham (Coun. W. G. Jackson) two former Mayors. Coun. W. J. Willey and Coun. S. Bowyer."

The Wokingham Times reported on Henry's passing on Friday 26th June 1953:

"Died soon after his 106th birthday. 

Peaceful end in sleep of Mr Henry Beesley. 

England's oldest man Mr Henry Beesley who celebrated his 106th birthday on May 31 died in the Wokingham Hospital just after 8:30 on Saturday evening.

Mr Beesley retained a lively interest in daily affairs until three days before his death when he began to show signs of unusual fatigue culminating in a sleep from which he did not wake. He had been at the hospital for some years and only last summer began going out for car drives with his daughter Mrs D Goodchild of Spencers Wood.

Saw Coronation on TV.

On his last birthday this grand old man left the hospital by car and spent the whole day at his daughter’s house where some 50 relatives and friends joined with him in a birthday party The old gentleman was also taken by car that day to see the Coronation decorations in Reading

On Coronation Day he joined with other patients at the Wokingham Hospital in watching the Royal procession on television He was never tired of telling his birthday visitors of his work as a young man and on the last occasion when visited by a “Wokingham and Bracknell Times” reporter asked if "177 Portland Place” was still standing as he used to bake bread for his employer and deliver it there every day. 

Two strong dislikes.

Until a few months before his death Mr Beesley enjoyed cigarettes and cigars but he stopped smoking he said because he found he was apt to drop the hot ash on his bed and it was too dangerous He still enjoyed his “spot of whisky” however a fact that was always remembered on his birthdays by succeeding Mayors and old friends. He had two strong dislikes radio and open windows."

So, there you have it. If you would like to live to the ripe old age of 106, drink whisky, and keep your windows closed.

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012

Wednesday's Child - Jane Gibbons

Monument to Jane Gibbons, All Saints Churchyard, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England.


"To the Memory of Jane daughter of Thomas and Sarah Gibbons who departed this life April ye 19th 1794 aged 6 years."

Jane Gibbons was born in Marlow Buckinghamshire in 1788 to Thomas Gibbons, a gentleman, and Sarah Tubbs.  Jane was christened on 14th February 1788 at All Saints Church in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

Sadly Jane was to pass away on 19th April 1794 aged just six years old.  She was buried at All Saints Churchyard on 22nd April 1794.

Taphophile Tragics - Thomas and Sarah Gibbons of Marlow Buckinghamshire

Monument to Thomas and Sarah Gibbons, All Saints Churchyard, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England.


"To the Memory of  Mr Thomas Gibbons who departed this life March 27th 1824, Aged 79 years - Also Of Sarah his Wife who died 23rd January 1810 Aged 58 years - Peacefull sleep out the Sabbath of the tomb.  And wake to raptures in a Life to come."


Sarah Gibbons was born Sarah Tubb in 1752.  On 27th July 1779 Sarah married Thomas Gibbons, gentleman of Marlow Buckinghamshire.  Thomas was born in Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire in 1744 to John Gibbons and his wife Elizabeth.

Sarah was to pass away on 23rd January 1810.  She was buried at All Saints Churchyard on 29th January 1810.  Thomas was to pass away on 27th March 1824 and was reunited with Sarah on 3rd April 1824.

Thomas and Sarah had three children that survived them, Thomas, Richard and Elizabeth Gibbons, who were well provided for after Thomas's death.

He left his sons, Thomas and Richard, the considerable amounts of five hundred pounds and six thousand pounds in Government Bounds as well as several properties in St Peter's Street, Marlow and several 'outbuildings'.  He requested  that an annual fund from the profits of the six thousand pounds be set up in a trust for Elizabeth, with the instruction that should she marry and have children then the trust would pass on to them after her death.


Taphophile Tragics
Tombstone Tuesday

Cemetery Sunday - Sacred

All Saints Churchyard, Marlow, Buckinghmashire, England.

 

 

 

 



Flashback Friday - Fanny Brewer of Burchett's Green

** Originally posted 31st July 2012**

Monument to Fanny Brewer, St James the Less, Stubbings.

"Scared to the memory of Fanny.  Loved and loving wife of Frederick Brewer of Woodlands, Burchetts Green.  Who died Nov 5th 1894 aged 46 years.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes

He giveth his beloved sleep."

Fanny Brewer was born Fanny Hawkins at St George the Martyr, Surrey 1848 to Charles, a clerk in a paper mill and Esther Hawkins.  On 12th January 1876 Fanny married Frederick Brewer, an accountant, and became saddled with a name that would make many of us titter today.  Fanny Brewer.

Fanny and Frederick had no (living) children despite their 18 year marriage.  Fanny passed away in 1894 aged just 46 years.  Throughout their lives together Fanny's sister Jessie Ann lived with them.

Sadly I cannot find what happened to Frederick or Jessie after Fanny's death, as they seem to vanish from the records.