HENRY WOOTTEN

He was born c. 1818 in Speen.  From his marriage record his father was John Wootten, no occupation given.

On 8 November 1849 he married Eliza Lawrence at St. Mary’s Church, Speenhamland.  She was the daughter of John Lawrence, labourer (the 1841 census records he was a tailor).  Thomas Stillman and Martha Pocock were witnesses.

Henry’s occupation was a miller’s carter and he was living in Thatcham at the time,  and Eliza’s occupation was a servant.

They had 3 daughters:  Harriet Ann born in 1854 (2Q) but sadly died just 6 months later and she was buried in the Cemetery on 23 December 1854; Eliza born in 1856; and Clara born in 1859 (3Q) – she died aged 7 years old and she  was buried in the Cemetery on 12 December 1866.

He is recorded in the 1871 census living at 2 Smiths Buildings with his daughter Eliza, aged 16 years: his occupation grocer’s porter.   His wife Eliza had been admitted to Moulsford County Asylum, Cholsey, in the district of Wallingford, where she died in January 1878.  She was buried on 7 January 1878 at St. Mary’s Church, Cholsey.

The 1881 census records that he was a widower and continued to live with his daughter Eliza who had become a dressmaker,  at the same address, and he was still working in the same occupation.

 The Newbury Church Charities granted him a place at the Almshouses in Newtown Road, Newbury, where he died aged 67 years on 28 October 1885. He was buried on 31 October 1885.

His daughter Eliza died a spinster on 10 June 1940, aged 84 years, and she was buried in Shaw Cemetery on 13 June 1940.

No Mrs. P. Code

Sources:  Berkshire Marriages Index 6/11/1849; 1861 to 1881 census; Death Index of his wife Eliza 1878 (1Q) and BBI; Death Index 1885 (4Q): BBI for his daughter Eliza dated 13/6/1940.

Sources:as above