Charles Crocker - Silk Merchant of Stubbings House, Berkshire

Celtic Cross monument to Charles Crocker, St James the Less, Stubbings, Berkshire.

"Charles Crocker born October 23rd 1840 - Died November 8th 1896.  R. I. P."

Charles Crocker was born in Paddington, London on 23rd October 1840 to Jonathan Crocker, A silk and textile merchant, and his wife Ann Clift.

Charles first appears on the 1841 census, aged only 16 months, living with his parents, elder siblings Ann Attwood aged 5 and Jonathan aged 3, and his younger brother Edmund aged only 6 months old, in Lambeth Surrey.

In 1851 the family had moved to Camberwell, Surrey, where the family had six servants including a governess to school Ann.  Both Jonathan Jr and Charles were schooled away from the home.  Sadly, little Edmund had died in 1849 at the age of 7.  However, Arthur W Crocker born in Norwood Surrey in 1843 is boarding at a grammar school in East Street, Maidstone, Kent.

In 1861 the family are living in Rosebank House in Camberwell, both Jonathan Jr and Charles are assisting their father in his textile business.  Arthur W is a clerk to a wine merchant.  Ann Attwood has no occupation listed other than merchant's daughter.

1871 finds Charles visiting the Goodlake family at The Rectory in Swindon, Gloustershire.  A few months later Charles marries Grace Emily Goodlake, the daughter of Thomas William, the rector, and his wife Mary Price.

Sadly, Jonathan Crocker Snr was to pass away in 1881.

In 1881 Charles and Grace have moved to Ferry Lodge in Wargrave, Berkshire, where Charles is working as a silk merchant.  Living with them is their son Charles Edward G Crocker born in 1874 in London.  1891, just 5 years before Charles's death finds the family and their six servants still living at Ferry Lodge in Wargrave. By 1892 Charles and his family had moved to Stubbings House, Stubbings, Berkshire.

Charles Crocker passes away on 8th November 1896 at Stubbings House.

On 11th November 1896 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"DEATH of MR.CROCKER.—We regret to announce the death of Mr. Charles Crocker, who died at his residence Stubbings House, Maidenhead Thicket, on Sunday night. The deceased gentleman contracted a chill while shooting a short time since, and this, complicated with inflammation of the lungs, probably produced the fatal result. Mr. Crocker came from Wargrave to Stubbing, about four years ago."

On 18th of November 1896 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on the funeral:

"CHARLES CROCKER. The funeral of the late Mr. Charles Crocker, of Stubbings House, Maidenhead Thicket, whose death, after a brief illness, was reported by us last week, took place at Stubbings Church, Camley Corner, on Friday last, and was attended by a large number of residents in the district. 

The Vicar (Bev. G. S. Hodges) officiated. The following is a list of the mourners :--Mrs. Charles Crocker (widow of the deceased), Mr. C. Crocker (son), Mr. Crocker and Mr. A. Crocker (brothers). Mrs. Crocker and Miss Goodlake (sisters-in-law), Mr. Gloodlake (brother-in-law), and Mr. J. A. Crocker and Mr. H. Crocker (nephews). It was a walking funeral, the coffin being borne on the shoulders of deceased's employes. The following ladies and gentlemen sent their carriages:—Gen A. Bunbury-Thompson, Mr. Dickens (Woolley Firs), Capt. Young (Hare Hatch). Mr. H. Vansittart Neale (Bisharn). Capt Butler (Altwood), Gen. Davies (Lowood), Mr. Henry Nicholl, Rev. A. H. Drummond, Dr. Plumbe., Sir Gilbert Clayton East, and Dr. Wicks (Wargrave). 

Amongst those who witnessed the interment were —Gen. A. Banbury-Thompson. Dr. Plumbe, Rev. A. H. Drummond, Mr. E. Montgomery. Mr. Hodges, Mr. Skrine, Mr Dickens, &c 

The coffin was of polished oak. and at the base of a large brass cross was the following inscription —

" Charles Crocker, born Oct. 23rd, 1840; died Nov. 8th 1896." 

There were also present at the funeral the junior partners and heads of departments of Messrs. Crocker, Sons, and Co., of Friday-street. E.C. There were several very beautiful wreaths, tokens of respect, sent by the following:—Mr. and Mrs. J. Crocker, Mr. and Mrs. A. Crocker, the junior parteners and employes in Friday Street, Miss Gloodlake, Sir Gilbert and Lady Clayton East. Col. and Mrs. Begot-Chester, Mr. and Mrs. Mabson, Mr. and Mrs. Dickens, the Master of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Mrs. Price. Mrs. and Miss Peele. Mr. and Mrs. H. Nicholls, Rev. G. S. and Mrs. Hodges, Mrs. Duncan, Mr. Wilford Powell. &c.—The funeral arrangements were well carried out by Mr. J. C. Webber, High-street, Maidenhead."

In 1901 the widowed Grace has moved to Wargrave Lodge, Taplow, Buckinghamshire.