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

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Tombstone Tuesday - Julia Anne Hornblower Cock MD


Monument to Julia Anne Hornblower Cock MD, Longden Cemetery, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England.


"In Beloved Memory Of
Julia Anne Hornblower Cock MD
Born 22 Feb 1860
The Lord Giveth And The Lord Hath Taken Away
Died 7th Feb 1914
And was interred at Rookwood
Are They Glad Because They are At Rest."
 
 
A friend of mind photographed the above monument whilst visiting a local cemetery and asked whether I would be interested in researching the life of Julia Anne Hornblower Cock.
 
Julia Anne Hornblower Cock was born on 22nd February 1860 to James Cock, a tanner, and his wife Ellen Lloyd.  Julia was christened on 19th March 1860 at St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
 
Copyright David Dixon.
 
Julia first appears on the 1861 Census, aged one year and living with her parents and elder siblings at The Baths in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
 
By 1871 the family had moved to Beauchamp House on The Mount in Shrewsbury.
 
In 1877 Julia decided to embark on her career in the medical profession which at the time was a male dominated profession.  Julia was one of a few pioneering women who were determined to open up the profession to women.
 
The 1881 Census finds the twenty one year old Julia a medical student at Bedford college for girls in London.  At the time Julia is boarding at the home of Eliza A Townsend, head of the college, at 79 Gower Street, Finsbury, London. 
 
The 1891 Census finds the now qualified surgical physician Julia living at 15 Manchester Square in Marylebone, London along with her general servant Mary Jones.  Another lady physician, Jessie Crossfield is living a few houses away at 23 Manchester Square.  It is possible the Julia and Jessie attended the same college.
 
 
 
Between 1887 and 1892 Julia worked as a member of the in-patient and out-patient staff at a hospital for women.  In 1896 Julia took up the position of joint lecturer at the London (Royal Free Hospital) School of Medicine for Women.
 
By 1901 Julia had moved to 15 Nottingham Place, Marylebone, London  where she lived along with her two servants Mary Walton and Clara Barnard.  In 1903 Julia became the Dean of the London (Royal Free Hospital) School of Medicine for Women.
 
By 1911 Julia had moved to Sussex where she is listed as joint head of the household with another lady doctor, Louisa Woodcock at Colesbrook, Watersfield, Pulborough, Sussex.
 
Julia never married and passed away after suffering from a long illness three years later in 1914 six months before England declared war with Germany.
 
 
 
 
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Sunday 22 June 2014

Cemetery Sunday - A Blasting Wind

 
"Fresh as the grass our bodies stand,
And flourish bright and gay.
A blasting wind sweeps o'er the earth,
And fades the grass away."
 
 

 

 




Friday 20 June 2014

Flashback Friday - William and Emily Langley - Sweet Hearts Reunited



Monument to William and Emily Langley, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport, Berkshire, England
 
 
"In loving memory of William Langley 1874 - 1939 also his wife Emily Langley 1876 - 1958

Sweethearts Re-united."


William Langley was born in Fifield Berkshire in 1874 to John Langley, a farm labourer and Eliza Goom.  William continued the family occupation of farm labourer throughout his life.  William first appears on the 1881 Census aged seven living in Fifield with his parents and elder siblings, John, May Jane and Louisa.  William's father was working as a farm hand at Stroud Farm in Holyport, Berkshire.  In 1890 William's mother Eliza passed away.  A year later the recently widowed John is still living and working in Fifield.  William is also living with his father, however his occupation is listed as a shoemaker.  It seems that William was working with his elder brother John, also a shoemaker.

In 1901 William is still living with his father in Fifield, but he has returned to farm work.


In 1902 William married Emily Harris.  By 1911 they had two children, Gladys aged 7 and William aged just one year.  Living with them at the time was the 85 year old widowed John Langley.

John Langley was to pass away in 1914

Emily Langley was born Emily Harris in Navestock Essex.  Unfortunately I am not able to trace Emily's birth parents.  On the 1881 Census she can be found living with her grandparents George and Mary Ann Harris and her uncle Cornell Harris.  She continued to live with her grandparents until her marriage to William Langley.



Tuesday 17 June 2014

Tombstone Tuesday - Henry Higgs, Elizabeth Higgs and their son William Higgs - Veterinary Surgeon



Memorial to William Higgs, Henry Higgs and Elizabeth Higgs, St Michael's Churchyard, Bray, Berkshire, England.

"Sacred To The Memory Of
William Higgs
Who Died Decr 18th 1841 Aged 17 years
Also
Henry Higgs
Father Of The Above
Who Died March 31st 1854 Aged 62 Years
Also
Elizabeth
Wife Of Henry Higgs
Who Died Novr 13th 1854 Aged 63 Years."
 
 
Henry Higgs was born in Bray, Berkshire on 7th July 1792 to John Higgs and his with Mary Anderson
 
On 25th March 1821 Henry married Elizabeth McCurley.  Elizabeth was born in St Pancras, London in 1800.
 
Together they had eight children, Mary born in 1822, Elizabeth born in 1824, William born in 1825, Henry born in 1827, John in 1830, James born in 1833, Edward born in 1835 and Ellen born in 1837.
 
The family appears on the 1841 Census living in Maidenhead High Street, Berkshire where Henry Sr is working as a Veterinary Surgeon.  Sadly on 18th December that year seventeen year old William passed away, possibly from tuberculosis.
 
 On the 1851 Census, Henry and Elizabeth have moved to Braywick Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire along with Mary, John, James and Edward.  Elizabeth and Ellen are visiting the home of Charles Patfield in Sy Martin in the Fields, Middlesex.  Elizabeth is working as a milliner (hat maker).  I am unable to locate Henry Jr on the 1851 Census.
 
Sadly on 31st March 1854 Henry Snr passed away from Phthisis Pulmonalis more commonly known as tuberculosis.  Henry Snr had suffered with the condition for 12 months before his death.
 
Eight months later on 13th November 1854 Elizabeth followed her husband to the grave. 
 
After the death of their parents, Henry and Elizabeth's children emigrated to Australia where they lived out their lives.
 
 
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Sunday 15 June 2014

Cemetery Sunday - Mr Basil Woodhouse

 
 
"Sacred To The Memory of
Mr Basil Woodhouse
Died August 9th 1817
Aged 62 Years"
 
St Michael's Churchyard
Bray, Berkshire
England.
 
 
 
 

 




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Friday 13 June 2014

Flashback Friday - Frances Louisa Comber - Nightwatchman's Wife



Monument to Frances Louisa Comber, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory Of
Frances Louisa
beloved wife of Charles Comber
who fell asleep April 28th 1907
aged 52 years. 
 Her End Was Peace."


Frances Louisa Comber was born Frances Louisa Gardner in Clapham London around 1855.  I have been unable to track down her birth records or any early census information as Frances continually swapped her first names throughout her life.

In 1878 Frances married Charles Comber, a police constable, in Wandsworth Surrey.  In 1881 the newlyweds can be found living at 35 Union Street in Clapham London with their two young daughters Louisa aged one year and Lucy aged just six days.  At that time Frances was using the name Louisa.

1891 finds the family have moved to Oakley Green in Bray.  Charles in now a Night Watchman and the family has expanded to include Charles William aged nine, Marther [sic] aged four, Ernest aged two and baby Albert, just eleven months old.  Frances is now using the name Frances Lou.

Another ten years pass (1901) and the family have moved to Braywood Cottages in Bray.  Charles is still a Night Watchman, but Frances has now gone back to using the name Louisa.  Their family has expanded again to include Amelia aged eight and three year old Elizabeth.

Sadly Frances was to pass away on 28th April 1907, the death index has her name listed as Louisa Frances.

Charles comber passed away in Eton, Buckinghamshire in 1929.

He must have loved Frances very much to have such a beautiful monument made in her memory.






Tuesday 10 June 2014

Tombstone Tuesday - Richard and Sarah Blackwell and their daughter Kate

 
 
Memorial to Sarah and Richard Blackwell, St Michael's Churchyard, Bray, Berkshire, England.
 
"In Loving Memory Of
Sarah
Wife of Richard Blackwell
Died May 4th 1888 aged 69 years
They Rest From Their Labours
Also
Richard Blackwell
Died Feb ? years




 
"Sacred To The Memory Of
Kate
Youngest daughter of
Richard and Sarah Blackwell
Died July 4th 1884
Aged 26 Years."
 
 
Richard Blackwell was born in 1825 in Beaconsfield, Berkshire to Sarah Blackwell, a publican from Beaconsfield.  On the 1841 Census, fifteen year old Richard can be found living with his mother in Beaconsfield, Berkshire where he is working as a carpenter's apprentice.
 
Sarah Blackwell was born in 1819 in Woolhampton, Berkshire.  I have been unable to find out anything about Sarah's early life or located a marriage for Richard and Sarah.
 
In 1847 they celebrated the birth of their first child, a son Herbert, followed by his brother William Henry in 1850.
 
On the 1851 Census, the young family can be found living at Wycombe End in Beaconsfield.  Sadly six year old Herbert passed away in 1853.  In 1854 another son, Walter Alan joined the family followed by a daughter Alice in 1856 and Kate in 1858.
 
By the 1861 Census, Richard, Sarah and their children had moved to Braywick in Maidenhead, Berkshire. Sarah has started working as a dress maker to boost the family's income.
 
By the 1871 Census the family has moved to King Street in Maidenhead where Richard is working as a carpenter along with his eldest surviving son, twenty one year old William.  Seventeen year old Walter is working as a general printer and fifteen year old Alice is helping her mother as a dress maker.
 
In 1878 William Henry Blackwell married Hannah Mariah Brown in Kensington London.
 
By the 1881 Census Richard, Sarah and their son Walter have moved to 14 Grove Road in Maidenhead.  William Henry and his wife Hannah are living at 27 Risborough Road with their young children Herbert William aged one and Gertrude aged just eight months.  Alice and Kate are boarding in the home of Mary J Rankin at 20 Conduit in Chelsea, London, where they are working as dress makers
 
in 1883 Walter Alan married Amy Goodman in Somerset.
 
Sadly just a year later in 1884 at the age of twenty six, Kate Blackwell passed away.  Her mother Sarah followed her to the grave in 1888 aged sixty nine.
 
In 1891 the widowed Richard is living with his son Walter and daughter in law Amy and their children Kate Ethel and Mary Alice at 16 Grenfell Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire, where he remained until his death in 1908.
 
 
 
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Sources
 
 
 
  
 


Sunday 8 June 2014

Cemetery Sunday Blog Hop - Mortal Dust

James and Jane Stevens
St Michel's Churchyard
Bray, Berkshire
England.

 
"All alike are Mortal Dust:
Vain is every Earthly Trust
None can see how soon they may
Be as Nothing, Watch and Pray."
 
 
 



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Friday 6 June 2014

Flashback Friday - George and Emma Hunt from Zoos to Confectionary to Domestic Service




Monument to George and Emma Hunt, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.


"In loving memory of our mother Emma Hunt who died May 13th 1925 aged 78 years
Also of
our father George Hunt who died at Aldershot December 5th 1889 aged 44 years"
 


George Hunt was born in St Pancras London in 1846 to James Hunt, principle keeper at London Zoological Gardens, and Elizabeth Greenaway.  On the 1851 census, five year old George can be found living with his parents, older siblings Elizabeth and Martha as well as his grandmother Elizabeth Greenaway at the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park, London.  By 1861 James had retired as a keeper and by 1871 had taken up accountancy.  George later became a confectioner.

On 19th April 1873 George married Emma Misselbrook at St Pancras. Emma Misselbrook was born in 1847 in Marylebone, London to Benjamin Misslebrook, a head keeper at London Zoological Gardens, and Jane Goulden.

Together George and Emma had six children; James Benjamin, Emma, Minnie, Kate Misselbrook, George James and May.  James Benjamin, Emma and George James were to all die tragically young, Emma and George both aged 30 years and James in infancy. 

In 1881 George, Emma and their children, Emma, Minnie, Kate and George James are living in Weybourne Road in Farnham, Surrey, where George is working as a confectioner.

George was to also die young, aged 44 in 1889.

 After George's death Emma went into domestic service with her daughter Kate Misselbrook Hunt. They can be found living at 61 Ifield Road, Kensington London long with seventeen year old Emma who is working as a draper's assistant and eight year old May who is attending school. Fifteen year old Minnie is working as a housekeeper for the Harris family in Lewisham.  In 1901 Emma and her daughter Kate are working as domestic housekeeper in Sturt Green, Holyport.  I have been unable to locate Minnie after the 1891 Census.

In 1904 Kate married James William Thomas, an electrical engineer.

In 1911 Emma is living with her youngest daughter May at The Lodge, Holyport, Berkshire.  Both are working as domestic housemaids.  Emma remained in Holyport until her death in 1925




Tuesday 3 June 2014

William and Sarah Compton and their sons James and William - The George on The Green Holyport

 
 
 
Memorial to Sarah and William Compton, St Michael's Churchyard, Bray, Berkshire, England.
 
"Sacred
To The Memory Of
Sarah Compton
The beloved wife of
William Compton
Who died November 9th 1861
In the 57th year of her age
Also
William Compton
Who Died December 2? 1885
In the 84th year of his age."
 
 
 
 
 
"Sacred
To The Memory Of
James Compton
Who died September 5th 1885
Aged 45 years
Be therefore ready also for the Son of man cometh
at an hour when ye think not
Also
William Compton
Who died December 23rd 1909
Aged 71 years
Fret not thyself else shalt thou be moved to do evil."
 
 
Sarah Compton was born Sarah Field in Cookham Berkshire in 1804.  On 25th July 1836 in New Windsor, Berkshire, Sarah married William Compton, a publican.
 
William Compton was born in 1802 in Cheetham, Hampshire.
 
In the February of 1838 they celebrated the birth of their first child, a son William.  A second son James followed in 1849 and a daughter Sarah Anne was born in 1841
 
Sarah and William first appear on the 1841 Census, living in Holyport where they are running the George Inn on Holyport Green.  Living with their parents are three year old William, two year old James and six month old Sarah.
 
The George Inn, Holyport, Berkshire
as it is today.
It has changed very little since
William Compton's time.
 
 
In 1845 a second daughter Mary Anne was born.
 
On the 1851 Census Sarah and William are still working and living at The George Inn.  Living with them are their children William, James, Sarah Anne and Mary Anne as well as Charles Dadd, the ostler (stableman) for the Inn.
 
By 1861 James had left the family home to work as an errand boy for butcher John Bedborough in Castle Street, Windsor, Berkshire.  Sarah and William can still be found living and working at the George Inn in Holyport.  William Jr now also working as a butcher is still living at home.
 
Five years after the census was taken, Sarah passed away aged 57.
 
In the December of 1868 Sarah Anne married Henry William Halfacre, a farmer from Bray.
 
In 1871 the windowed William is still running the George Inn in Holyport with the help of his eldest son William and youngest daughter Mary Anne.
 
Sarah Anne, her husband Henry and their one year old son Henry are living at Braywood Side.
 
I have been unable to locate James on the 1871 Census, however by 1881 James has returned home to help his aging father run the George Inn along with his elder brother William and younger sister Mary Ann.  Just 4 years later in the September on 1885 James Compton passed away aged only 45 years.  In the December of that year his father William Compton followed him to the grave.
 
In 1891 William Jr and Mary Ann are still living and working at the George Inn in Holyport.
 
In 1901 the sixty two year old William Jr is lodging in the home of Mary Aylin in Holyport, Berkshire.  Eight years later William passed away aged 71.
 
Unfortunately I have been unable to locate Mary Ann after the 1891 Census.
 
 
 
Linked with
 
 
 
Sources
 
 
 
 

Sunday 1 June 2014

Cemetery Sunday Blog Hop - Olive Pope, Peter Pope and Three of Their Children

St Michael's Churchyard
Bray, Berkshire
England.
 
 
 
"Sacred
To The Memory of
Olive, wife of
Mr. Peter Pope
of Maidenhead
who died Decr 24th 1831
Aged 46
Also
Mr. Peter Pope
who died March 11th 1841
aged 62
Also
Three of Their Children."
 
 
 
Olive Pope was born Olive Buckland in 1785 in Swallowfield, Berkshire, to Joseph Buckland and his wife Mary Bleak.  On 2nd December 1809 in Cookham, Berkshire, Olive married Peter Pope. 
 
Peter Pope was born in 1780 in Rockbourne, Hampshire, to Peter Pope and his wife Mary.  Peter was christened on 18th March 1780 in Rockbourne.  
 
Together they had ten living children, Mary, Thomas, Harriet, Eliza, Peter, Olive, John William, Joseph, James and Julia.
 
Julia Pope was christened at St Michael's Church in Bray on 24th June 1827.  Sadly Julia was to pass away aged just two years old.  She was buried in St Michaels churchyard on 31st March 1829.
 
John William Pope passed away in 1835 aged 18 and Eliza Pope passed away in 1836 aged 17.
 
 
 




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