Maidenhead Station Master James Chamberlain , and his wife Anne Chamberlain

 

 

 

Monument to James and Ann Chamberlain, All Saint's Churchyard, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.

 

 

"In 

Loving Memory 

Of 

James Chamberlain 

Who Departed This Life 

December 26th 1892 

Aged 79 years.  

Also Anne His Wife 

Who Died October 25th 1895 

Aged 85 years.  

Gone But Not Forgotten."

 

 

James Chamberlain was born in Latterworth, Leicestershire in 1813 to Ann Chamberlain.  Sometime before the birth of their first child, a daughter, Ann Elizabeth, James married his wife Anne.

 

The family first appears in the 1841 Census living in Bridge Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire. Along with James's widowed mother Ann.  James's occupation is simply listed as a porter.

 

In 1846 James and Anne celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Sophia, followed by a son, James, in 1849.

 

The family is still residing in Bridge Street at the time of the 1851 Census, however James's occupation is now listed as a rail porter.  His wife Ann is listed as a shopkeeper.  I have been unable to locate Ann Elizabeth post 1851.  James would have been working at Maidenhead (Riverside) and Taplow Rail Station, the first and only railway station to serve Maidenhead at the time.  The station was situated on the Buckinghamshire side of the Thames.  Passengers alighted and were ferried across the bridge to Maidenhead in horse drawn carriages.

 

1852 saw the birth of a third daughter, Martha Jane (sometimes listed as Jane).

 

In 1854 a new railway station on the Wycombe line opened in Maidenhead and was situated on Castle Hill.  This station was then used as Maidenhead's main station until the completion of the current station in 1871.

 

By the 1861 Census the family had moved to Maidenhead High Street.  James had also moved up the career ladder as his occupation is now listed as Station Master.

 

James and his family had moved once again before 1871 to 26 Victoria Street in Maidenhead.  James's occupation is now listed as simply a railway servant.  Sophia is helping the household income as a Milliner (hat maker),  James Jr has left the family home and can be found working as a shop man in Clifton, Gloucestershire for Mrs Kingcome.  Martha Jane is working as a draper's assistant in Queen's Square, High Wycombe

 

In 1873, Sophia married Samuel William Bateman, a chair manufacturer from High Wycombe.

 

In 1877 Martha Jane marries William Hunt Smith, a draper from Middlesex.  In 1879 they celebrate the birth of their son Herbert and in 1880 the birth of their daughter Dora.

 

1881 James and Anne are still residing at 26 Victoria Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire.  James Jr is now working as a shop man in St Martin in the Fields, in London, Sophia and her husband Samuel are living and working in Queen's Square, High Wycombe and Martha Jane and her family are living and working in Great Marlow, Buckinghmashire.

 

In 1891 James and Anne are still living in Victoria Street in Maidenhead.  James's occupation is now listed as a retired station master.  Just a year after that Census was taken, James passed away on Boxing Day of 1892, aged 79 years.  On 4th January 1893 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"DEATH OF MR. JAMES CHAMBERLAIN. 

- Mr. James Chamberlain, of Victoria-street, has just passed away, at the age of 78 [sic]. Mr. Chamberlain will be remembered by many inhabitants as the stationmaster at the old Folley-hill (Castle-hill) station, prior to the erection of the present Maidenhead station, and when residents desirous of journeying by other than Wycombe branch trains to trudge or engage a cab to the old Taplow station. Mr. Chamberlain was for many years in charge of the "little station on the hill." When be was superannuated, some years since, he retired with the esteem and good wishes of all ' who knew him, and was presented with a suitable testimonial. Mr. Chamberlain was a warm supporter of St. Paul's church."

Anne was to pass away nearly three years later on 25th October 1895