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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Richard Blackwell, Carpenter, his wife Sarah Blackwell, and their youngest daughter Kate Blackwell

 

 

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 19th 1908 aged 83 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, Buckinghamshire to Richard Blackwell, and his wife Sarah, a publican from Beaconsfield.  

Richard first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 15, living with his mother Sarah, and younger sister Eliza, in Aylesbury End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire where he is working as a carpenter's apprentice.

 

Sarah Blackwell was born in 1819 in Woolhampton, Berkshire.  I have been unable to locate anything about Sarah's early life or marriage to Richard.

 

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, Beaconsfield.  Sadly 6 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.

 

1871 Census finds the family living in King Street, Maidenhead, where Richard is working as a carpenter along with his eldest surviving son, 21 year old William. Walter is working as a general printer, and 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 had moved to 14 Grove Road, 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 8 months.  Alice and Kate are boarding in the home of Mary J Rankin at 20 Conduit, 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 26 Kate Blackwell passed away.  Her mother Sarah followed her to the grave in 1888 aged 69.

 

In 1891 the widowed Richard is living with his son Walter, and daughter-in -aw Amy, and their children Kate Ethel and Mary Alice at 16 Grenfell Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire, where he remained until his death in 1908, aged 83.

  

 



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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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.  

George first appears on the 1851 Census, aged 5, 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.

Eamma first appears int he 1851 Census, aged 3, living with her parents and siblings at 13 Cochrane Terrance, Marylebone, Middlesex.  I am unable to locate emma on the 1861 Census, but in 1871 she is back living with her parents and siblings at the Head Keeper's House, Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park/

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. 15 year old Minnie is working as a housekeeper for the Harris family in Lewisham.  

In 1898 Minnie married Thomas Pattenden, in Brighton, Sussex

In 1901 Emma and her daughter Kate were working as domestic housekeepers in Sturt Green, Holyport.  

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.  She was still there in 1921, only living alone. Emma remained in Holyport until her death in 1925

Family Connections: Their Children George James and Emma Hunt

William Compton of the George on the Green, Holyport, his wife Sarah Compton, and their sons James and William Compton

 

 

 

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 24 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 to William Field, and his wife Elizabeth.  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, Berkshire, where they are running the George Inn on Holyport Green.  Living with their parents are 3 year old William, 2 year old James, and 6 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 widowed William was still running the George Inn in Holyport, with the help of his eldest son William, and youngest daughter Mary Anne. James was still working for John Bedborough in Windsor, Berkshire.

 

By 1881 James had returned home to help his ageing father run the George Inn, along with his elder brother William, and younger sister Mary Ann.  Just 4 years later on 3rd September 1885 James Compton passed away aged only 45 years.  On 12th September 1885, the Reading Mercury carried the following announcement:

"Deaths

Compton.—On the 3rd inst., at the George Inn, Holvport James Compton, aged 45 years."

On 24th December of that year his father William Compton followed him to the grave. On 2nd January 1886, the Reading Mercury carried the following announcement:

"Deaths

Compton- On the 24th ult., at the George Inn, Holyport, William Compton, senr., aged 83 years."

 

In 1891 William Jr and Mary Ann are still living and working at the George Inn in Holyport.

 

In 1901 the 62 year old William Jr was lodging in the home of Mary Aylin in Holyport, Berkshire.  Eight years later on 23rd December 1909 William Jr passed away aged 71.

 

In 1897 Mary Ann married Thomas Wakins, a farmer from  Sheepcote Lane, White Waltham. The 1901 Census finds the couple living in Sturt Green, Holyport Berkshire. Saldy Thomas was to pass away on 20th October 1910. On the 1911 Census widowed Mary Ann can be found living in the home of Thomas's brother-in-law George William Lawford, who married Jane Emily Wakins.

Mary Ann Wakins would pass away on 16th December 1917. She is buried in the churchyard of St John the Baptist, Crowthorne, Bracknell, Berkshire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Pope, Victullar of Bray Parish, his wife Olive Pope, and their children, Julia Pope, John William Pope, and Eliza Pope - Secretly Buried Without Pomp

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.

Peter was a victualler in the parish of Bray, Berkshire.

 

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 Michael's churchyard on 31st March 1829.

 

John William Pope passed away in 1835 aged 18, and Eliza Pope passed away in 1836 aged 17.

Peter Sr was to pass away on 11th March 1841. His last will and testament  dated 31st May 1834, states that:

"I desire to be secretly buried in the church yard of the parish of Bray without pomp and with as little exposure as may be."

Peter provided for all his living children in his will

 

 

 



Thomas Robinson, Market Gardener of Moneyrow Green, Holyport, and his wife Martha Robinson

Memorial to Thomas and Martha Robinson, St Michael's churchyard, Bray, Berkshire, England.

 

"In Loving Memory of

Thomas Robinson

Who Died January 28th 1885

Aged 83 Years

- Them Also Which Sleep In Jesus Will God Bring With Him -

Also of

Martha Robinson

Wife Of The Above

Who Died January 1st 1892

Aged 81 Years

-The Memory Of The Just Is Blessed-"

 

 

Thomas Robinson was born in Hambleden, Buckinghamshire in 1802 to John Robinson and his wife Elizabeth.  Thomas was christened on 21st March 1802.

 

On 8th October 1833 Thomas married Martha Abdy at St Michael's Church in Bray, Berkshire.

 

In 1835 they celebrated the birth of their son, Thomas Jr, soon followed by George in 1837, and a daughter, Elizabeth, in 1839.

 

The young family first appears in the 1841 Census living in Windsor Road, Bray, Berkshire, where Thomas is working as a gardener. 

 

1842 saw the birth of a third son, Ephraim.  A second daughter Mary followed in 1845, a third daughter Louisa in 1847, and a fourth Sarah in 1851

 

At the time of the 1851 Census, Thomas and Martha are still residing in their home in Windsor Road.  Thomas Jr is now working as a bricklayer at the age of 16, and 14 year old George has left home to work as an errand boy for Mr Charles Jones, a baker in Bray.  In 1854 Thomas and Martha's youngest child, a son, William, was born.

 

In 1856 George Robinson marries Mary Pearson in Windsor, Berkshire.

 

Thomas and his family are still living at their home in Windsor Road, Bray by the time of the 1861 Census.  Thomas has now become a market gardener. Market gardeners were relatively small scale producers of fruits and vegetables grown on a small area of land.  The produce was often sold direct to customers or to restaurants and Inns.  Elizabeth is working as a servant whilst living at home, while Ephraim has left home to work as a baker for Mr Henry Cowdery in Cookham High Street.  Interestingly on the 1861 Census, Ephraim is living next door to Sir Stanley Spencer's paternal grandfather, Julius Spencer.

 

George, now working as a baker, and his new wife Mary are lodging at The Cricketer's Beer House on Holyport Green, Holyport, Berkshire (now a private house).

 

In 1867 Thomas Jr marries Eliza House, daughter of Ephraim House of the Wheatsheaf Inn, Grazeley, Berkshire, in Salford, Lancashire.

 

By 1871 Thomas and Martha had moved to Money Row Green, Holyport Berkshire.  At the age of 70, Thomas is still working the land as a market gardener.  Staying with them at the time is their eldest son Thomas who has unfortunately fallen on hard times and is out of employment.  Elizabeth, Mary, and William are still living with their parents.  Sarah has left home to work as a general domestic servant in the home of Mrs Elizabeth Stephenson at 1 Carlton Villas, Hencroft Street, Upton-cum-Chalvey in Slough, Berkshire. Louisa has moved to Grazeley, Berkshire to work as a house keeper for Ephraim House at the Wheatsheaf Inn.

George, his wife Mary, and their daughter Eliza are living and running a bakery from 23 Oxford Road, Clewer, Windsor, Berkshire.

 

1881 finds the now elderly Thomas and Martha still living at their home in Money Row Green, Holyport.  At 80 years old Thomas is still listed as working as a gardener.  Elizabeth and William are still living with their parents.

 

Thomas Jr has taken over the running of the Wheatsheaf  Inn in Grazeley, Berkshire, along with his wife Eliza.  Thomas's sister Louisa is living and working at The Inn as an assistant.  Thomas's other sister Mary is visiting at the time.

Sarah has moved to Putney, London to work as a general domestic servant in the home of tea merchant D. Bigwood at 6 Ravenna Road.

 

Four years after the 1881 Census was taken, Thomas Snr passed away aged 83.

 

1891 finds the eighty one year old widowed Martha still living in Money Row Green, Holyport.  Martha's youngest son, William has taken over the market garden business but it is clear Martha is still in charge as her occupation is listed as a market gardener proprietress.

A year later Martha joins her husband in eternal rest at St Michael's churchyard in Bray.

St Michael's Church, Bray, Berkshire.

© Copyright - Rob Neild
and licensed for reuse
under this Creative Commons Licence 

 

 

 

.


 

 





Cemetery Sunday Blog Hop - Annie

To The Memory Of
Annie
St Michael's Churchyard Bray, Berkshire,
England.

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Lousia Munns, Headmistress of Spital Infant School, Clewer, Windsor

 

 

Memorial to Louisa Munns, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

"Louisa Munns

Who fell asleep in Jesus

On Sunday Sept 9th 1883

Aged 22 Years."

 

 

 

Louisa Munns was born in Maidenhead in 1860 to Stephen Munns, a painter, and his wife Phoebe Smith.

 

Louisa first appears on the 1861 Census aged only 6 months, she is living in Braywick Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, with her parents and elder siblings Henry Stephen, and Phoebe

 

In 1871 Louisa, now aged 10, and her family had moved to 32 King Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

 

In 1881 Louisa, now 20 years old, is lodging at Alexandra Terrace, Windsor, Berkshire.  Her occupation is listed as an elementary school teacher.

 

Sadly just two years later on 9th September 1883, Louisa Munns passed away aged just 22 years. On 19th September 1883 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"The remains were interred in All Saints' churchyard on Saturday afternoon last of Miss Louisa Munns, daughter of Stephen and Munns, of this Town. For a considerable time the deceased was a teacher at the Wesleyan Sunday and Day Schools. and subsequently accepted the position of mistress of the Spital Infant School, near Windsor. Illness, however. compelled her a few months ago to return to Maidenhead, and she succumbed to the insidious disease, consumption. on the 9th inst. She was much beloved by a wide circle of friends in Maidenhead and Windsor, and the interment was witnessed by a large number of persons from both towns, and the sorrow shown was genuine. By request. the Rev. Dr. Gee. Vicar of St. John the Baptist Parish Church, Clewer, readily attended to officiate at the burial. Two crosses and several wreaths were placed upon the coffin by friends, and as a token of their respect for the deceased, Captain and Mrs. Denham (Windsor) sent an everlasting wreath. She was 22 years of age."

 

Little than a year later on Friday 30th May 1884, Louisa's father had a serious accident at his home.  The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported on Saturday 31st May 1884:

 

"A Fall - Whilst Constable Cullen was on duty at 9:40 in King's Street, on Friday evening, he heard screams and cries for help proceeding from the house of Mr. Stephen Munns, and on going there he ascertained that Mr. Munns had fallen down a flight of 13 stairs with two buckets of whitewash.  His head was on the floor whilst his legs lay on the bottom stair.  The constable who some time since passed an Ambulance examination for First Aid to the Injured, well sponged the mans face and rendered other necessary aid, and then sent for a surgeon.  Mr. Montgomery promptly attended, and found that Munns has sustained a fracture to the base of his skull, and an injury to one of this shoulders.  His life was at first despaired of, but he rallied, and he is now going on well."

 

 

Stephen lived for a further 16 years after his accident, passing away in 1900 in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

 





Cemetery Sunday - Angel - All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery

Praying Angel
All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery
Maidenhead, Berkshire
England

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Emma Lipscombe and the Tragic Death of her Grand-daughter Mildred Ethel Aplin - "Dead With Her Cats"

Monument to Emma Lipscombe, All Saints Cemetery, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead. Berkshire.

"In

fond Memory

Of

Emma Lipscombe

Who fell asleep in Jesus

March 13th 1886 . Aged 69 Years.

 

For I reckon that the sufferings of the present

time, are not worthy to be compared with the

glory which shall be revealed in us."

 

 

Emma Lispcombe was born Emma Illsley on 21st September 1817 in Maidenhead, Berkshire, to John Illsley, a waggoner and carrier, and his wife Mary Kay.

 

 

On 4th September 1838 at St John the Baptist church, in Hoxton, Middlesex, Emma married Issac Lipscombe, a butcher.  They celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter, Katherine Lousia Lipscombe in 1841.  The 1841 Census shows the young family living at Pitfield Street, Hoxton, Middlesex, where Issac worked as a butcher employing three assistants, one of which was Emma's younger brother Richard Illsley.  Sadly that same year little Katherine passed away.

 

In 1843 Emma and Issac celebrated the birth of their son Richard, followed by a second daughter Emma in 1844.  Sadly little Emma was to pass away two years later in 1846.  A third daughter for Emma and Issac was born in 1849, Mary Ann Lipscombe.  The 1851 Census finds the family living and working at Waymouth Terrace West, Haggerstone, Middlesex.

 

1853 saw the birth of another daughter in the Lipscombe family, Katherine Lucy Lipscombe, followed by her sister Elizabeth Emma Lipscombe in 1856.

 

The 1861 Census shows Emma Lipscombe visiting her elder brother, John Illsley, at his home in Maidenhead, Berkshire.  However she also appears on the same Census living at No.1 Bedford Cottages, Lambeth, Surrey, with her husband and three young daughters, Mary, Kathrine (Lucy) and Elizabeth.  On 24th May 1868 Richard Lipscombe marries Mary Ann Middleton at the Independent Chapel, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

 

Oddly in 1871 Issac appears as living in the common lodging house of Ann Argent at 182 Osborn Place in Tower Hamlets, London.  Issac's marital status is listed as being a widower.  Emma however is running her own boarding house in York Street, Maidenhead along with her youngest daughter Elizabeth.  Issac seems to completely vanish from the records after the 1871 Census entry.  I cannot even locate a death for him.  Perhaps there was some sort of break down in their relationship.

 

In 1881 Emma can be found living at 3 Park Terrace, Maidenhead, Berkshire, along with her eldest surviving daughter Mary, and her youngest daughter Elizabeth.  Visiting at the time is Emma's now married daughter Katherine Lucy Bradford.  Emma's occupation is listed as being an Annuitant.

That same year Elizabeth Emma Lipscombe married William Robert Alpin, an ironmonger's assistant, in Maidenhead. They celebrated the birth of their only child, a daughter Mildred Ethel in 1888. After the death of William in 1911 and before the 1921 Census Mildred moved to 4 Laleham Road, Margate, Kent. Mildred never married and remained at 4 Laleham Road until her tragic death in 1939. On 29th November 1939 the East Kent Times and Mail reported:

"DEAD WITH HER CATS. 

Tragic Discovery at Margate. 

Lonely Woman's "Disappearance." 

The body of a woman whose death occurred several days ago was found by police officers in a house at Cliftonville on Monday evening. The woman was Miss Aplin, of 4. Lateham-road. Cliftonville. who had been living alone at that address since the death of her mother eleven weeks previously. She had not been seen for several days. and when neighbours reported this fact to the police, inquiries were made. When police officers entered the house they found Miss Aplin's body. Medical opinion was that death had taken place about ten days before. Miss Aplin was well known in the neighbourhood. She was passionately fond of cats, and over a dozen of these pets were found in the house with the dead body. It is understood that there will not be an inquest."

 

After Emma's death on 13th March 1886, Mary Ann Lipscombe went to live with her sister Katherine Lucy Bradford, her husband Samuel, and their children in Lewisham, London.

 



Cemetery Sunday Blog Hop - Celtic Cross, All Saints Maidenhead, Cemetery

All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery
Maidenhead, Berkshire
England.

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Thomas Britten of the Queen Street Dairy, Maidenhead, his wife Charlotte Britten, and their son Thomas Ginders Britten - Buried At Sea

Memorial to Thomas Britten, Mary Charlotte Britten, and Thomas Ginders Britten, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory Of 

Thomas Britten

Born June 19th 1829 Died April 8th 1883. 

Also of

Mary Charlotte Britten

wife of the above

Born March 6th 1840 Died 28th Dec 1914

'her children rise up and call her blessed'

Also of

Thomas Ginder Britten

son of the above

Born Jan 6th 1870 died Feb 2nd 1913

Buried At Sea"

 

"The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge. And Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms"

 

 

 

Thomas Britten was born in Stoke Bliss, Herefordshire on 19th June 1829 to John Britten, a farmer of 250 Acres, and his wife Sarah Hay.

 

In 1851, 15 year old Thomas was working as an assistant draper whilst living with his parents and older brothers Edward and John at the family's farm in Laysters, Herefordshire.

 

By 1861, Thomas Britten was working as a draper's assistant in Liverpool for Woolright's Silk Mercer and Carpet Dealer, 18-22 Bond Street.  However in 1865 Thomas Britten set up his own drapery shop at 54 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Ginders and Britten, having married Mary Charlotte Ginder sthat same year on 9th August.

 

Mary Charlotte Ginders was born in Ingestre, Staffordshire in 1840 to Jeremiah Ginders II, a brick works industrialist, and his wife Ellen Marsh.  Mary's father passed away when she was only 3 years old in 1843, leaving her mother Ellen and her siblings well provided for.  Mary lived with her widowed mother and siblings at 13 Church Street in Birkenhead until her marriage to Thomas Britten in 1865.  There are some accounts that the Ginders family were not happy with the arrangement and felt Thomas was not a good match for Mary as he was 'socially inferior' being 'trade'.

 

In 1866 Thomas and Mary celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter,  Charlotte Thomasine Britten, followed closely by a son, Thomas John Britten in 1867.  Sadly baby Thomas was to pass away that same year.  Another daughter Julianne Britten was born in 1868, followed by a son Thomas Ginders in 1870 and a third daughter, Ellen Elizabeth in 1871.  That same year, the Britten family were living above their drapery shop in Argyle Street, Birkenhead

Argyle Street, Birkenhead
Ginders and Britten was located opposite
the Argyle Theatre.
Source: Wirral History.net

 

 

In 1873 another daughter, Mary Louise was born, followed by another daughter, Jessie in 1875, followed by Florence in 1876.  1877 saw the birth of a son, Robert Victor, and 1879 saw the birth of Thomas and Mary's youngest child, a son, Edward.  Sadly 1879 also saw the passing of Thomas and Mary's eldest child, 12 year old Charlotte Thomasine.

 

However, it seems that perhaps the Ginders family had a greater reason for their disapproval in Thomas Britten other than his social standing, as the drapery business soon failed. On 26th April 1879 the Liverpool Mail ran the following notice:

"IN LIQUIDATION. 

THE ENTIRE STOCK-IN-TRADE - OF MR. THOMAS BRITTEN 

(Late Britten and Ginders) 

DRAPER AND SILK MERCER, 54, ARGYLE STREET, BIRKENHEAD, 

AMOUNTING AT COST PRICE TO £839 158.11 D. 

OWEN OWEN has been declared the Purchaser, by public tender, by the Accountant to the Estate, Mr. J. ' Mawson, 44, Hamilton-square, Birkenhead, at a discount of 48 3/4per cent from cost or stock-book prices of the entire STOCK-IN-TRADE of Mr. Thomas Britten, Draper, Silk Mercer, and Mantle Manufacturer, 54, Argyle Street, Birkenhead."

 

By 1881 Thomas had moved his family to Maidenhead, Berkshire where they ran a small dairy shop from 9 Queen Street.  Sadly Thomas was to pass away two years later in 1883, leaving Mary penniless with eight surviving children to support.  Mary had no choice but to take over the running of the dairy shop in Queen Street.

9 Queen Street, Maidenhead
As it is today 2014

 

 

The 1891 Census shows Mary as running the dairy business from 9 Queen Street, her daughter Ellen is working as a governess, while Jessie, Florence, Robert, and Edward are all attending school.  Thomas Ginders Britten, now working as a drapers assistant, is visiting the family of William Hutchinson in Croydon, London.  Soon after Thomas Ginders enrolled in the army and served as a Private during the Second Boer War with the 7th Royal Dragoon Guards.  Thomas soon became a hard drinker.

 

On the 1901 Census Mary Charlotte Britten can be found visiting her sisters Elizabeth Pike, and Julia Nicholson in Malvern, Worcestershire, along with her daughters Julianne, Mary Louise, and Florence.  Mary's daughter remained in Malvern to run a private school for girls.  The venture was sort lived.

 

Mary was still running the dairy business in 1905 when she was summoned to court for "selling milk being 13 per cent deficient in fat",  as reported in the Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer on January 14th 1905.  The case was dismissed due to the summons being wrongly served.

 

By 1911 Edward, Mary's youngest son Edward had taken over the running of the dairy business.  Unfortunately Edward was feckless and the business soon began to decline under his control.  After his wife Sarah's death in 1925, Edward emigrated to Canada and his eldest son, also Edward to Australia.  There is a rumour that Edward's younger children were simply packed off to an orphanage, but I haven't been able to find any evidence.

Mary Charlotte has moved to Killarney, 4 The Crescent, Maidenhead.  At the age of 71 her occupation is listed as a director in a dairy business.  Living with Mary are her three daughters, Mary, Jessie, and Florence, all of whom have varying roles in the dairy business.  Visiting Mary at the time is her elder sister, Julia Marbella Nicholson.

The Creamery
A similar dairy located at
76 Queen Street, Maidenhead
c1908 Source: Maidenhead Advertiser

 

 

Private Thomas Ginders stayed on in South Africa after the Second Boer War.  Sadly, Thomas Ginders passed away on 2nd February 1913, from a sarcoma and exhaustion on his passage back to England on The Edinburgh Castle.  He was subsequently buried at sea.

The Edinburgh Castle, leaving Cape Town, 
South Africa.

 

Mary Charlotte passed away a little less than a year later on 28th December 1914.

 

 

Cemetery Sunday - Mr. James May of Bath

 

"In Affectionate Memory Of

Mr. James May

of Bath

Who departed this life

February 7th 1870 Aged 26 years

 

I am the resurrection and the life

whosoever believeth in me shall not

perish but have everlasting life"