Monument to Mary and Martha Aldridge, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.
"Sacred to the memory of Mary Aldridge who departed this life August 28th 1896 aged 58 years - Thy Will Be Done - Also Martha Aldridge who died Novr 29th 1907 aged 60 years - And God Shall Wipe Away All Tears From Their Eyes - "
Mary Aldridge was born in 1838 and Martha in 1847 in Maidenhead, Berkshire to James Aldridge, a grocer, and his wife Mary Ann.
In 1841, three-year-old Mary is living with her parents and siblings, James, Charlotte, Ellen, and baby Edward in Folly Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.
By 1851, thirteen-year-old Mary is working as a housemaid and barmaid for Charles Druce, in Boyne Hill, Maidenhead. Four-year-old Martha is living with her parents and siblings, Ellen, Edward and Thomas in Folly Hill, Maidenhead.
In 1861 Mary is working as a housemaid for the Robeson family in Fifield, Berkshire. Thirteen-year-old Martha is working as a general servant for Julius and Ann Neve, drapers of Maidenhead.
1871 and Mary is working as a general domestic servant for the Druce family in London. Martha has returned home to Castle Hill in Maidenhead to live with her widowed mother Mary Ann and her elder brother Edward a gardener, where she is making a living as a dress maker.
1881 and Mary is working as a parlour maid for the Stenning family in Marylebone, London. Martha is still living with her mother and elder brother in Castle Hill, Maidenhead. Living with the family at that time is Mary and Martha's widowed sister Ellen.
1891, Mary is boarding at the home of Peter Mortlock, Fern Cottage, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead. Martha is helping to look after her elderly mother Mary Ann and run the sweet shop her mother keeps, along with her elder brother, Edward. Sadly, Mary Ann was to pass away in on 22nd August 1894. On 29th August 1894, the Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement:
"Aldridge- August 22nd, at 2 Castle Hill, Maidenhead, Mary Ann, widow of the late Mr. James Aldridge, aged 89 years."
1901 finds Martha living with her elder brother Edward at South Cottage, Alwyn Road, Maidenhead Berkshire. Sadly, six years later Martha was to pass away.
Edward can be found on the 1911 census, still living at South Cottage in Alwyn Road. He was to pass away later that year aged 70.
1901 finds Martha living with her elder brother Edward at South Cottage, Alwyn Road, Maidenhead Berkshire. Sadly, six years later Martha was to pass away.
Edward can be found on the 1911 census, still living at South Cottage in Alwyn Road. He was to pass away later that year aged 70.
Always interesting to read about the lives of the people you discover.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this on Taphophile Tragics!
When you read accounts such as these you wonder what kind of life some of these people had. In this case, I wonder about Edward, spending most of his adult life with his mother and sisters. Was there no occupation listed for him?
ReplyDeleteEdward was a gardener. I don't know what I didn't mention it in the post.
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