Albert Charles Gabb - Died of Rheumatic Fever, his younger brother Arthur Edward Gabb - Diedd from Chloroform, and their Mother Emma Gabb - Attendant to the Insane - Died Suddenly

 

Monument to Albert Charles Gabb, Arthur Edward Gabb, and Emma Gabb, All Saints' Maidenhead Cemetery, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"in Loving Memory of

Albert Charles

Eldest Beloved Son Of

Alfred and Emma Gabb

Born Feby 21st 1878

Died April 16th 1896

'He Brought Down My Strength In My Journey

And Shortened My Days.'

Also of Arthur Edward youngest beloved son

Born Novr 29th 1887

Died Octr 10th 1897

'Faithful Is He That Calleth'

In Loving Memory Of

Emma The Beloved Wife of Alfred Gabb

Born August 24th 1848 Died Novr 10th 1899

'Be Ye Ready: For In Such An Hour As Ye

Think Not The Son Of Man Cometh'"

Emma Gabb was born Emma Davis on 24th August 1848 to John Davis, a gardener, and his wife Eliz Denmead, in Long Ashton, Somerset.  Emma first appears on the 1851 Census aged 2, living with her parents and older siblings in Long Ashton, Somerset. Eliza's family are still living in Long Ashton on the 1861 Census. Living with them at the time is Eliza's maternal grandmother Rachel Denmead.

On 4th September 1870 Emma married Alfred Gabb at All Saints' Church, Wandsworth, London. At the time both Emma and Alfred gave their occupation as attendant at lunatick [sic] asylum. This was probably Surrey County Pauper Lunatic Asylum which later named the Wandsworth Asylum before becoming Springfield University Hospital. On the 1871 Census Emma and Alfred are separate, Emma is lodging at 4 Raven's Cottages, Wiseton Road, Wandsworth, while Alfred is at the Surrey County Pauper Launatic Asylum. Both are still attendants at the asylum.

In the spring of 1871 Alfred and Emma celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter, Charlotte Eliza. Another daughter Sarah Emily followed in the spring of 1873. On the baptism record Alfred gives his occupation as warden of prison. Before the birth of their third child, a daughter, Edith Ellen in the summer of 1875, Alfred and Emma had moved to Glamorganshire, Wales, where Alfred is now an Inn keeper.. Before the birth of their fourth child and first son Alfred Charles on 21st February 1878 the family had moved to Rodborough, Gloucestershire, where Alfred is plying his trade as a butcher. A second son Alfred Frederick was born in the spring of 1880.

The family can be found on the 1881 Census at the Anchor Inn, Anchor Road, Rodborough, Gloucestershire. Living with the family at the time is Alfred's brother Frederick Gabb, a butler, and his sister Emily Gabb.

In the spring of 1883 Alfred and Emma celebrated the birth of their sixth child and fourth son Montague Escott John Gabb, known as Montie and sometimes John. Alfred's occupation on the baptism record is given as a butcher. The spring of 1885 saw the birth and baptism of Frank Gordon Gabb the couple's seventh child and fifth son. On 29th November 1887 Arthur Edward was born Alfred and Emma's final child.

By the 1891 Census the family had moved to 41-43 High Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire, where Alfred is working as a butcher's assistant for W and R Fletcher Limited Butchers. Tragedy was soon to befall the family when their eldest son Albert Charles died of Rheumatic Fever on 16th April 1896. On 22nd April 1896 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Death of Chorister.

Much sympathy is felt with Mr. A. Gabb, of High-street, who, on Tuesday night last, lost his eldest son. The deceased was a quiet, well-behaved lad of 19 years, and for some time past had not been in good health. About seven weeks ago he had to take to his bed through a severe attack of rheumatic fever. Though at times he was in a very critical state, he seemed to have taken a decided turn for the better. At the middle of last week, however, a relapse occurred, and despite the unremitting care of Dr. Mason and the most careful nursing, he died on the evening of the 16th inst. The funeral took place on Monday, at the Cemetery, the Rev. C. H. Nash, M.A., Vicar of St. Mary's, officiating. The body was followed by the mourners (males only) in five coaches. Most of the tradesmen had drawn blinds or displayed mourning shutters, and a large concourse had assembled outside the house. The undertaker was Mr. Hooper, of Broadway.

The coffin was covered with wreaths and baskets and crosses of a choice of flowers, which were so numerous that many had to be taken in the carriages. As the deceased was formerly and chorister at St. Mary's Church, the choir attended in cassocks and surplices and assisted in the rendering of the burial service. In the cemetery chapel they sang, in a most touching manner, the well-known hmm, 'Rock of ages,' and at the graveside the Benediction was preceded by the singing of 'Jesus lives.' and followed (by special request) by 'Peace perfect peace.' The sympathetic and hopeful words of the Vicar, together with the beautiful rendering of the hymns, created an effect which will long be remembered by the large number present. Before leaving the grave, each choir-boy threw flowers upon the coffin. The organist (Mr. Chas. Sil. Banwell) is a cousin of the deceased, he was with the mourners, his place with the choir being most ably filled by Mr. A. Webb."

Over a year later on 10th October 1897 Alfred and Emma were to lose their youngest son, 10 year old Arthur Edward after a medical operation. On 13th October 1897  the following announcement appeared in the Maidenhead Advertiser:

"Deaths

Gabb- On October 10th, at Vancouver, St. Mark's-road, Maidenhead, Arthur Edward Gabb, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Gabb, aged 10 years."

In the same issue the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Obituary-

Much sympathy is felt with Mr. and Mrs. A. Gabb and family, of Vancouver, St. Mark's-road, who have lost their young son, Arthur Edward Gabb (aged 10), under particularly sad circumstances. The boy had suffered for some time from a substance which had formed in his throat, and Mr. Gabb consulted four doctors all of whom advised an operation. Dr. Cathcart, the eminent throat specialist, of London, was seen and on Sunday last he attended at Mr. Gabb's residence, with Dr, Mason, and performed an operation, the deceased being placed under chloroform. The poor boy never recovered consciousness, and passed away, much to the grief of his parents and all members of the family. The funeral will take place at the Cemetery to-morrow (Thursday), at 3 o'clock."

Tragedy was to strike the family once again in 1899 when Emma passed away suddenly on 10th November 1899. On the 22nd November 1899 the following announcement appeared in the Maidenhead Advertiser:

"Deaths

Gabb- On November 10th, at 4, York Villas, Maidenhead, Emma the beloved wife of Alfred Gabb."

In the same issue the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Funeral Of The Late Mrs. Gabb.

Much sympathy is felt with our townsman, Mr. A. Gabb, and his family, in their somewhat sudden bereavement, in the death of Mrs. Gabb. After an illness extending over only five days the deceased lady succumbed to pneumonia, notwithstanding the unremitting care of Dr. Mason, who did all that was humanly possible to effect a cure. Mrs. Gabb having been so intimately connected with town business was very well-known, and the funeral at the cemetery on Thursday last was attended by a large concourse of people. Wreaths of flowers were so numerous that there was difficulty in finding room for them on the funeral car. 

The officiating clergyman was the Rev. C. H. Nash, M.A., vicar of St.Mary's, at which church deceased was communicant, and of which she was a loyal supporter. At the conclusion of the appointed service at the grave, Mr. Nash spoke a few words of kindly remembrance of the deceased and of persona consolation to the mourners. Special reference was also made from the pulpit on Sunday last, when the family attended church, and the organ voluntaries were 'Blessed are the departed' (Spohr) and 'O rest in the Lord' (Mendelssohn). Mr. Hooper carried out the necessary funeral arrangements with much Satisfaction."

The recently widowed Alfred Gabb can be found living at Kendrick House, Castle Hill, Maidenhead with his son Alfred Frederick, a butcher, and their servants Annie Card, and Rose Neighbour. Later that year Alfred Snr married Mary Jane Budd in Maidenhead, Berkshire. By 1911 Alfred had moved back to his birthplace in Gloucestershire where he and Mary can be found on the Census. Living with them at the time is Alfred's granddaughter, Gertrude Edith Louise Soundy, known as Gertie. Gertrude's mother Sarah Emily Soundy nee Gabb passed away suddenly on 4th May 1908. Young Gertrude, then only 11 years old discovered her mother's body when she went to ask her mother about breakfast that morning.

Alfred was to pass away on 30th December 1911 at his home in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire.