Cemeteries and graveyards, full of love, betrayal, tragic deaths, murder, and suicide. What will you find?

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Taphophile Tragics - Ellen and Henry Knight



Monument to Ellen and Henry Knight, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


"In Loving Memory of Ellen the beloved wife of Henry Knight who passed away Jan 14th 1922 aged 77 years - At Rest - Also of Henry Knight who passed away Feb 1st 1928 aged 84 years."


Ellen Knight was born Ellen Davis in Wokingham, Berkshire in 1845 to Henry Davis, a shoe maker and his wife Ellen. 

Henry Knight was born in 1844, however his place of birth changes on every record I have found of him and Ellen and I have been unable to locate Henry pre 1871.

Ellen first appears on the 1851 Census aged seven years, living in Braywick, Bray, Berkshire with her parents and siblings, George, Mary Ann, Henry, James, and Emma.

I am having difficulty locating Ellen on the 1861 when she would have been around seventeen years of age, so it is possible that she was in service and her details were recorded incorrectly.

In 1867 Ellen marries Henry Knight, a gardener, in Windsor, Berkshire.

1869 sees the birth of their first child, a daughter, Emma.  Closely followed by a son, Henry in 1870.

1871 Census and the small family is living at Ray Park Cottages in Maidenhead Berkshire.

1872 saw the birth of a second daughter, Ellen and 1878 a third daughter Edith.  A month before the 1881 Census was taken, Ellen gave birth to her fourth daughter, Clara.  The Census records the family as living at 8 North Cottages in North Town, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  Ellen's occupation is now listed as a laundress, possibly taking in washing to help support her growing family.

1884 sees the birth of a fifth daughter, Alice, followed by a second son, Edwin in 1888 and a third son, Joseph in 1889.

In 1891 the family has moved to Builders Villa in Bray, Berkshire.  Henry Snr's occupation is now listed as a market gardener.  The elder daughters Emma and Ellen are listed as assisting their mother in her laundress business, where as Henry Jr is working as a gardener with his father. 

Five years later, in 1896, Emma left the family to marry William Swain Norsworthy, a painter and decorator from Maidenhead.

1901 the family has moved to The Briars in Bray, Berkshire.  Living next door at 5 Builders Cottages is Henry Jr, now a green grocer, and his sister  elder Ellen. 

Five years later, in 1906, Clara married Henry Arthur Collins, a dairyman from Fifeld, Berkshire.

In 1908 Henry Jr married his wife Emma, unfortunately I haven't been able to locate a marriage index for Henry and Emma.

1911 and Ellen and Henry have moved to Spencer's Farm in Fifield Berkshire.  Living with them are their youngest daughter and son, Alice and Joseph.  Joseph is now working as a domestic chauffer.

Edith is now a dress maker is lodging at the house of George Lovegrove at 4 Woodlands Villas, Datchet, Windsor, Berkshire.  Edwin is a domestic gardener for a large house in Hawthorn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

I have been unable to locate Ellen Jr post 1901.

Sadly in 1922 Ellen passed away.  Henry followed Ellen to the grave in 1928.




6 comments:

  1. Hi!
    I just wanted to check in and let you know that I've been reading and enjoying your posts!

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  2. I have family in Wokingham so am familiar with the streets and was hoping to see Ellen had lived somewhere I could picture in my mind!
    ...and look, another Norsworthy!

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  3. Always such an interesting read. :) Thanks for sharing on Taphophile Tragics!

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  4. Henry Knight was the older brother of my Gt Grandfather Alexander Arthur William Knight. You can find Henry age 7 on the 1851 census here ( HO107; Piece: 1694; Folio: 605; Page: 12 ) and age 17 and a Bakers Servant at Bracknell on the 1861 here ( RG 9; Piece: 755; Folio: 19; Page: 9 ). Thank you so much for adding the information you have to the WWW. I have been struggling to get down to the church yard to photograph this grave. My cousin in the area was going to do it, but nature took him away before he had chance! Best wishes, Philip

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    Replies
    1. Dear Philip, thank you so much for that additional information. It's always great to hear from the relatives of these people. If you send me and email via the contact buttons on the left hand side of the page, I will send you and unedited copy of the above photograph.

      Thank you once again.

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  5. I think I also found Ellen Davis age 17 working as a servant in Ealing. Her surname was recorded as David on the census and her birth place was given as Swallowfield which fits in with Wokingham. It's certainly the closest I can get. Hopefully with time other information will come to light to prove these details. RG 9; Piece: 777; Folio: 104; Page: 14

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