Henry Russell Burrows of Cookham Shoes and Boots, and his wife Eliza Ellen Burrows

 

Monument to Eliza Ellen Burrows and Henry Russell Burrows, All Saints' Cemetery, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead.

"In Loving Memory of

Eliza Ellen

The Beloved Wife Of

Henry Russell Burrows

Born Augst 13th 1836

Died Febry 13th 1897

-Thy Will Be Done-

Also

Henry Russell Burrows

Born April 20th 1836

Died Decr 29th 1900"

Eliza Ellen Burrow was born Eliza Ellen Golding, on 13th August 1836, in Ryde, Isle of Wight, to Henry William Golding, A groom, and his wife Eliza Williams.

Eliza first appears on the 1851 Census, aged 13, as a visitor at the home of William F Poulton, an architect and surveyor, at Hampden House, Reading, Berkshire.

In 1860 Eliza married Henry Russell Burrows in Reading Berkshire.

Henry Russell Burrows was born on 20th April 1936, to James Walter Burrows, a shoe maker, and his wife Emily Dobbs, in Cookham, Berkshire.

Henry first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 5, living with his parents and siblings in Cookham Village, Berkshire. I have been unable to locate Henry on the 1851 Census.

On the 1861 Census, the newly wed Henry and Eliza can be found visiting Eliza's parents Henry William and Eliza in Caversham, Reading Berkshire. On 29th August 1861 Henry and Eliza celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter, Emily Florence Burrows. On 31st August 1861 the Reading Mercury called the following announcement:

"Births-

On the 29th inst., at Elm Cottage, Maidenhead, the wife of Henry Russell Burrows, of a daughter."

A second daughter Ellen Lavinia Burrows followed on 30th June 1863. On 4th July 1863 the Windsor and Eton Express carried the following announcement:

"Births-

On the 30th ult., at Elm Villa, North-town, Maidenhead, Mrs. Henry Russell Burrows, of a daughter."

A third daughter, Edith Maud Burrows was born on 28th March 1865. On 1st April 1865 the Reading Mercury carried the following announcement:  

"On the 28th ult., Elm Villa, North Town, Maidenhead, the wife of Henry Russell Burrows, of a daughter."

On 26th October 1866 a son, James Walter Burrows was born. On 27th October 1866 the Reading Mercury carried the following announcement:

"Births-

On the 26th inst., at Elm Villa, North Town, Maidenhead, the wife of Henry Russell Burrows, of a son."

A second son, Henry Russell Burrows was born on 17th July 1869. On 24th July 1869 the Reading Mercury carried the following announcement:

"Births-

On the 17th inst., at Elm Villa, North Town, Maidenhead the wife of Henry Russell Burrows, of son."

The family are still living in Elm Villa, North Town Road, Maidenhead on the 1871 Census. Living with and working for the family are, Emily Wheeler, a cook, Elizabeth Cox, a nurse, and Mary Allen, a housemaid.

A fourth daughter, Eliza Isabel Burrows was born in 1871, followed by another daughter Violet Kathleen Burrows in 1873, and finally a third son, William Alfred Burrows in 1880.

The family can be found at Elm Villa, North Town Road on the 1881 Census. Visiting the family at the time is Henry A Jaques, a general merchant. Living with and working for the family are Frances Trippins, a cook, and Ann Nott, a housemaid.

On 28th April 1886 Emily Florence Burrows married Robert Ranger at Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. On 1st May 1886 the Readin Mercury carried the following announcement:

"Marriages

Ranger—Burrows.—On the 28th ult., at Trinity Church, Cookham, the Rev. R. W Rogers, Vicar, assisted by the Rev. A. C Ranger, brother of the bridegroom, Robert, son of the late Robert Ranger, Esq., of Hendon, to Emily Florence, eldest daughter of Henry Russell Burrows, of Maidenhead and Cookham."

By 1891 the family had moved to Elm House, Cookham Road, Maidenhead, not far from St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Living and working for the family are Mary Waters, and Lucy White, both listed as live-in servants.

On 13th February 1897 Eliza Ellen Burrows passed away. On 17th February 1897 the Maidenhead Advertiser carried the following announcement:

"Deaths-

On February 13th, at Elm House. Maidenhead, Eliza. Ellen, the beloved wife of Henry Russell Burrows."

The Maidenhead Advertiser reported in the same issue:

"DEATH OF MRS.. BURROWS.—

We regret to have this week to record the death of Mrs. Eliza Ellen Burrows, wife of Mr. H. R. Burrows, J.P., of Elm House, North-town, Maidenhead. The deceased lady was ill for but a short time and passed away on Saturday last. Much sympathy is felt with Mr. Burrows and his family in their sad and unexpected bereavement." 

Henry Russell Burrows was to pass away on 29th December 1900 from an asthma attack. On 2nd January 1901 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"DEATH OF MR. H. R. BURROWS, J.P. 

It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Mr. Henry Russell Burrows, J.P., of Elm House, North Town, Maidenhead, an old and much respected resident. The news caused very great surprise and regret in the town and district, as it was not known that Mr. Burrows suffered from any serious internal malady. As a matter of fact, however, Mr. Burrows had been troubled for many years with pains at and about his heart, and as long as thirty years ago he consulted a London physician, and though there was stated to be nothing in his condition to give occasion for alarm, he was conscious that all was not well with him physically, and he frequently complained of the pains above referred to. 

About eighteen months ago he had a violent attack of influenza, and was attended by the family medical advisers—Dr. Moore and Dr. Mason who bad no easy task to pull their patient through, but they succeeded. The attack left Mr. Burrows with asthma, and the shortness of his breathing was ever manifest to members of his family. He gained strength, however, and was able to perform his magisterial duties and to take hie usual exercise. On Tuesday week he visited London, and on Christmas Day he attended Divine Service at St. Mark's church, where he was frequently to be seen on Sundays and festival days, being very fond of visiting this pretty little edifice. On Friday last be appeared in his usual health, and remarked before going to bed that he was anticipating a good night's rest. Early in the morning, however, he had a severe attack of asthma, and Dr. Moore was sent for, but before medical aid arrived the seizure had resulted fatally, the sufferer passing peacefully away at about eight o'clock in the presence of members of his family. He was 64 years of age, his wife predeceasing him some three or four years. 

The deceased gentleman came to reside at Maidenhead in 1880 *the 1860s birth announcements for theri children record them as living in Maidenhead*, so that he had been amongst us for the long period of 40 years. He did not take an active part in local affairs, his physical disabilities making this practically an impossibility. He was nevertheless interested in municipal work and all that had to do with the government of the town and the maintenance of its institutions. He was some years ago placed on the Commission of the Peace for the Borough of Maidenhead, and was a pretty regular attendant at the local Bench. He filled the responsible position with dignity and ability, and always sought to temper justice with mercy. His colleagues will greatly miss his genial presence and valuable assistance. 

Mr. Burrows was one of the directors of the Maidenhead Cemetery Company. He was a son of the late Mr. James Burrows, of Cookham, the founder of the well-known Cookham Boot and Shoe Factory, which was established in 1828. and which had a high reputation throughout the United Kingdom. On his death in 1846, the business was continued by his sons, Mr. James Burrows, who is still alive, and Mr. H. R. Burrows (the deceased). The firm employed a very large number of in-door and outdoor hands, "Cookham boots and shoes" being in considerable demand. They were hand-sewn, but in process of time machine-made boots and shoes revolutionized the boot trade, and the demand for the more durable, if more expensive, Cookham boots was so seriously affected that in 1890 the factory was closed. The senior partner, Mr. James Burrows, who resided at Cookham for no fewer than seventy years, during thirty years of which he was a Churchwarden, subsequently came to reside with his brother at North Town, Maidenhead, and though within three years of being an octogenarian, he is in possession of good health, his only failing being impaired sight. Considering his age it was scarcely expected that he would survive his brother. 

The deceased gentleman leaves a family of three sons and five daughters to mourn his loss, and for these as well as for Mr. James Burrows, much sympathy is felt in their sudden and irreparable bereavement. Mr. Burrows was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and he had a very wide circle of acquaintances. Maidenhead is distinctly the poorer by his decease. The funeral will take place to-day (Wednesday) at the Cemetery, the procession leaving Elm House at 2 o'clock."

On  the 1901 Census Henry's brother James Walter Burrows is now living at Elm House, Cookham Road, with his nieces Ellen Lavinia Burrows, and Edith Maud Burrows, and his nephew William Alfred Burrows.