Emma Hill (1841 – 1900)

Emma Taylor was born circa 1840 in Speen the daughter of Charles Gee and Harriet, nee Painter, Taylor. In the 1851 census Emma was recorded living in Speen with her parents and siblings George aged 16, Henry aged 8 and William aged 5. Her father Charles was a medicine vendor.

In the 1861 census Emma was still living in Speen with her parents and brother Henry. Charles was recorded as a potent medicine vendor, Emma a dressmaker and Henry a pupil teacher. Ten years later in the 1871 census Emma was still a dressmaker living in Speen with her parents and brother Henry. Charles was recorded as a medicine vendor and Henry a newspaper reporter.

Emma married Arthur Frederick Hill on 8 February 1874 at St Bartholomew in Edgbaston. She was recorded as being a resident of Edgbaston at the time of the marriage. Arthur was a boot maker born circa 1849 in Dudley.

In the 1881 census Emma and Arthur with daughters Jessie Emma aged 4 & Margaret Clara aged 2 were living at 357 Lodge Road in Birmingham. Arthur was recorded as a boot maker.

Emma along with daughters Jessie and Margaret was living in Northbrook Street in Newbury in the 1891 census, Emma’s occupation was confectioner. Emma was recorded as a widow although Arthur in 1891 was living as a boarder at 415 Borough Road in Tranmere. Emma ran a small sweet shop at 76 Northbrook Street for many years.

Emma died 11 January 1900 after it appears accidentally taking laudanum, a narcotic, and poisoning herself. An inquest was held later that day and a full report appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 18 January 1900. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 16 January 1900.

Emma’s parents were also buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, her father Charles Gee Taylor on 29 April 1890 and her mother Harriet Taylor on 12 March 1883.

Sources:as above