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

Tuesday 4 February 2014

James and Anne Chamberlain - Maidenhead Station Master

 
 
 
Monument to James and Ann Chamberlain, All Saint's Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.
 
 
"In Loving Memory Of James Chamberlain who departed this life December 26th 1892 aged 79 years.  Also Anne his wife who died October 25th 1895 aged 85 years.  Gone But Not Forgotten."
 
 
James Chamberlain was born in Leicestershire in 1813 to Ann Chamberlain.  Sometime before the birth of their first child, a daughter, Ann Elizabeth, James married his wife Anne.
 
The family first appears in the 1841 Census living in Bridge Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire. Along with James's widowed mother Ann.  James's occupation is simply listed as a porter.
 
In 1846 James and Anne celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Sophia, followed by a son, James, in 1849.
 
The family is still residing in Bridge Street at the time of the 1851 Census, however James's occupation is now listed as a rail porter.  His wife Ann is listed as a shopkeeper.  I have been unable to locate Ann Elizabeth post 1851.  James would have been working at Maidenhead (Riverside) and Taplow Rail Station, the first and only railway station to serve Maidenhead at the time.  The station was situated on the Buckinghamshire side of the Thames.  Passengers alighted and were ferried across the bridge to Maidenhead in horse drawn carriages.
 
1852 saw the birth of a third daughter, Martha Jane (sometimes listed as Jane).
 
In 1854 a new railway station on the Wycombe line opened in Maidenhead and was situated on Castle Hill.  This station was then used as Maidenhead's main station until the completion of the current station in 1871.
 
By the 1861 Census the family had moved to Maidenhead High Street.  James had also moved up the career ladder as his occupation is now listed as Station Master.
 
James and his family had moved once again before 1871 to 26 Victoria Street in Maidenhead.  James's occupation is now listed as simply a railway servant.  Sophia is helping the household income as a Milliner (hat maker),  James Jr has left the family home and can be found working as a shop man in Clifton, Gloucestershire for Mrs Kingcome.  Martha Jane is working as a draper's assistant in Queen's Square, High Wycombe
 
In 1873, Sophia married Samuel William Bateman, a chair manufacturer from High Wycombe.
 
In 1877 Martha Jane marries William Hunt Smith, a draper from Middlesex.  In 1879 they celebrate the birth of their son Herbert and in 1880 the birth of their daughter Dora.
 
1881 James and Anne are still residing at 26 Victoria Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  James Jr is now working as a shop man in St Martin in the Fields, in London, Sophia and her husband Samuel are living and working in Queen's Square, High Wycombe and Martha Jane and her family are living and working in Great Marlow, Buckinghmashire.
 
In 1891 James and Anne are still living in Victoria Street in Maidenhead.  James's occupation is now listed as a retired station master.  Just a year after that Census was taken, James passed away aged 79 years.  Anne followed him to the grave in 1895 aged 85.
 
 
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1 comment:

  1. I always appreciate all that you're able to learn about people. :) Thanks for sharing on Taphophile Tragics!

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