John Ilsley

c1801-1866

John was born in Tilehurst Berkshire he was baptised on the 11^th January 1801 in Tilehurst and was the son of George and Amy Ilsley (nee Maskell) who were married on the 18^th January 1797 in Reading Berkshire. Amy was born c1768 she died aged 74 in 1842. John was born c1771 he died aged 64 in1835, both were buried in Tilehurst.

George and Amy also had the following children (all baptised in Tilehurst):

Mary 16^th July 1797

James 17^th March 1799

Amelia 13^th February 1803

George 12^th May 1805

Martha 29^th November 1807

Sophia 29^th April 1810

In 1815 John (15) was living in Mansion House (on the west side of Market Place) Newbury with a James Porteous Jackson (40), Ironmonger, his wife Sabrina Jackson (31), Henry Jackson (21), Thomas Jackson (18), David Stroud (19) and a servant, Sarah Nevil (22). Living in the Waggon and Horses (on the north side of Market Place) Newbury was Ann Weston (9) and her family (John’s future wife).

John married Ann Elizabeth Weston on the 14^th September 1828 in Tilehurst Berkshire.

John and Ann had at least 3 children, Sophia Amy, born c1833 in Newbury, Fanny, born c1836 in Tilehurst and John born c1837 in Woodspeen Berkshire.

The 1841 census records John (40), as an Ironmonger, living in Greenham Street, Greenham Berkshire with his wife Ann (38) and their children, Sophia (8), Fanny (6) and John (4).

Ann died between 1841 and 1847 (possible death in Hospital aged 37 burial 11^th November 1842 at St John Horselydown Southwalk).

John married Ann’s younger sister Eliza in 1847

Marriage details:

Place: St Bride Fleet Street City of London

Date: 5^th October 1847

Groom: John Ilsley, full age, Widower, occupation, Ironmonger, abode: Blackfriars Road

Bride: Eliza Phoebe Weston, full age, Spinster, abode: Blackfriars Road

Fathers: George Ilsley, occupation: Smith and Benjamin Weston, occupation: Licenced Victualler

The 1851 census records the family living in the White Hart Inn, Market Place Newbury. John (50) was recorded as an Ironmonger’s Assistant and Eliza (38), was recorded as Conducting an Inn. Sophia (17), Fanny (16) and John (14) were also recorded in the household. The 1861 census also records the family living in the Market Place Newbury. John was recorded in this census as an Innkeeper. Their son John was recorded living in Chatham Kent working as a Clerk in the H M Dockyard.

Fanny died aged 25 in 1861 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 15^th October.

John died aged 65 on the 15^th January 1866 he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 19^th January. John has been mistakenly recorded as John Lesley on his memorial inscription.

Eliza was recorded in the 1871 and 1881 census living in Bartholomew Street Newbury. Sophia and her illegitimate daughter Mercy (born 1862) were living with her. Eliza was recorded as a Grocer in 1871 and a Greengrocer in 1881.

In 1891 all three were still living together but were now living in an Almshouse in Bartholomew Street.

Eliza and Sophia both died in 1892, they were both buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery, Sophia was buried on the 26^th July and Eliza was buried on the 13^th August.

Sources:as above