Joseph Potter and His Wife Emma Potter of the Stage and Hounds, Pinkneys Green, and Lydia Potter their Daughter-In-Law.

Monument to Joseph, Emma and Lydia Potter, St James the Less churchyard, Stubbings, Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Joseph Potter the beloved husband of Emma Potter died March 23rd 1915 aged 41 years - thy will be done - Also his wife Emma died Jan 30th 1947 aged 82 years - rest in peace - Also Lydia Potter died Dec 14th 1960 aged 53 years."

Joseph Potter was born in Binfield Berkshire in 1874 to Robert Potter, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Harriet Welsh.  Joseph first appears on the 1881 Census aged 6, living with his parents in Rose Hill, Binfield, Berkshire.

In 1891 Joseph has left the family home to work as a servant for the Cureton family at Morville Hall in Morville, Shropshire.  Oddly his occupation is listed as what looks like, useful man servant.

I am unable to locate Joseph on the 1901 Census, however in 1904 Joseph marries Emma Wickens in Basingstoke Hampshire.

Emma Wickens was born in Stratfield Saye in Hampshire on 10th June 1864 to Richard Wickens, a horse groom, and his wife Sarah Foster.  Emma first appears on the 1871 Census aged 6, living with her parents and siblings, Mary Ann Foster aged 14, Sarah Wickens aged 5, Minnie Wickens aged 3 and baby Wickens aged just 2 days old, at Fair Crofts, Stratfield Saye, Hampshire.

Emma then seems to disappear from the records altogether until her marriage to Joseph.

Their first child, a son Frederick Richard was born on 3rd Jul 1906.  Their second son, Robert was born on 30th April in 1908.

Stag and Hounds, Pinkney's Green, Maidenhead.

In 1911 Joseph aged 37 and Emma aged 46 are living at and running the Stag and Hounds Public House in Lee Lane, Pinkney's Green, Berkshire.  Living with them and their two sons at the time is Emma's aunt Hannah Foster aged 76 and Lily Richards a niece.  On 23rd September 1911 Joseph was the cause of a traffic collision on Marlow Road. On 30th September 1911 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, an accident occurred in Marlow-road. Mr. Joseph Potter, of the Stag and Hounds” Inn, Pinkneys Green, was driving along Marlow-road pony attached to a governess car, in which were also Mr. A. M. Hidden and Miss R. E. Hidden, of Thames place, Putney. Standing outside Mr Rolfe's dairy a motor car, while a brewer’s dray, belonging to Messrs Nicholson, was approaching the car. Believing that there was sufficient room to pass. Mr. Potter drove on, but a collision followed between the dray and the governess car, and the latter was turned over, smashing the shafts. The occupants of the governess car were thrown into the roadway, and Miss Hidden was badly injured, having her collar-bone fractured and receiving severe cut on her head. Mr. Hidden was severely shaken."

Joseph was to pass away on 23rd March 1915. After his death the license of the Stage and Hounds was transferred to Emma. Just a month later the license was transferred from Emma to Charles Williams

On the 1939 England and Wales Register the widowed Emma can be found living at 10 Furze Road, Maidenhead with her son Frederick, his wife Adeline, and their daughter Janet


Lydia Potter was born Lydia Nicholls on 22 November 1908 in Maidenhead to Thomas William Nicholls, a jobbing gardener, and his wife Annie Green.

Lydia first appears on the 1911 Census aged 2 years, living with her parents and siblings, Elsie aged 6, Mary aged 5 and Arthur aged 4, at 45 Westborough Road, Maidenhead.

In Maidenhead in 1933 Lydia Nicholls married Robert Potter. Lydia and Robert can be found on the 1939 England and Wales Register living at Garage Cottage, Clarefield Close, Maidenhead. Living with them at the time is Lydia's younger sister Violet Nicholls. Lydia was to pass away on the 14th December 1960. On 16th December 1960 the Maidenhead Advertisers reported:

"Mrs. Lydia Potter.

The death occurred at Midia Vale hospital on Wednesday of Mrs. Lydia Potter of 151 Courthouse Rd. He was 52."