Nehemiah Best, Cab Proprietor, and his Second Wife Emma Best

Monument to Nehmiah Best and his wife Emma Best. All Saints' Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory Of
Nehemiah Best

who entered into rest

February 7. 1882

Aged 65

Thy Will Be Done

Also Emma beloved wife of the above

Died April 13. 1886

Aged 58"

Nehemiah Best was born around 1817/1818 in Durweston, Dorset to Christopher James Best and his wife.  Nehemiah first appears on the 1841 Census aged 20, living with his first wife Elizabeth James, and their two children, daughter Augusta Caroline, and son Christopher James. Nehemiah's occupation is listed as M.S. this was an abbreviation on the 1841 Census for Male Servant, this category included domestic servants and various estate staff such as game keepers, butler,s footmen, and grooms. From   information gathered from later Census returns it seems probable that Nehemiah was a groom.

In 1851 Nehemiah, Elizabeth and their family were living at 11 Ledbury Mews West, Kensington, London. Nehemiah is now listed as a cab proprietor, and Elizabeth is a dress maker. The family has expanded to include Mary, Nehemiah Jr, Elizabeth, and Benjamin. Sadly Elizabeth Sr was to pass away in 1858 in Kensington. On may 17th 1859 at St Matthew Bayswater church, Middlesex, Nehemiah married Emma Keeley.

St Matthew Bayswater Church,
Middlesex, London.

Emma Keeley was born in 30th July 1827 in West Mousley, Surrey to Christopher Keeley, a show maker, and his wife Anne Longland.  It seems Emma Keeley is a popular name in West Mousley and I am having difficulty finding the correct Emma.

In 1861 the newly wed Nehemiah and Emma were living at 8 Palace Villas, Kensington London. along with Nehemiah's children from his first marriage, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Joseph, and Samuel. Visiting the family is Emma's elder sister Anne. Not long after the 1861 Census Nehemiah and Emma moved to Maidenhead where their only child, daughter Emma Best was born in 1862.

In 1871 Nehemiah, Emma, and their daughter were living in Boyn Hill, Maidenhead. Nehemiah was currently unemployed, while Emma worked as a dressmaker. Sadly not long after the Census was taken, little Emma passed away.

1881 Nehemiah and Emma were living at Stuchbery Villa, Castle Hill, Maidenhead. Emma is still working as a dressmaker. Visiting them at the time were Sarah Frith a dressmaker, and Agnes Fisher aged 10 years.

Nehemiah was to pass away on 7th February 1882, followed by his second wife Emma on 13th April 1886.