Maria Bright

c1823-1870

Maria was born in Newbury she was the daughter of Samuel and Phoebe Danvers/Danvass. Phoebe was born c1785 in Donnington Berkshire. Samuel was also born c1785 (place unknown)

Samuel and Phoebe also had the following children:

Elizabeth c1811

Sarah c1812

Mary c1815

Caroline c1831

In 1815 the family were living in Lewis’s Yard (west side of Northbrook Street) Newbury, Samuel was working as a Barge Carter.

Maria’s father died sometime between c1830-1841 (no death found yet!)

In 1841 Maria (15), was recorded living in Northbrook Street Newbury with her widowed mother and younger sister Caroline (10)

Maria gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth in Newbury in 1844 (birth recorded as Elizabeth Bright Darwass). She married (as Maria Danvass) Thomas Bright on the 4^th June 1848 in Thatcham, they had the following children:

Thomas c1849

James c1851 (died aged 15 months in 1852, buried in the NRC on the 21^st May)

Mary Jane c1853 (died aged 5 in 1859, buried in the NRC on the 28^th March)

Maria 1856 (died aged 5 weeks in 1856, buried in the NRC on the 19^th August)

William c1858 (died aged 17 in an accident in Kingsclere, buried in the NRC on the 9^th May 1877)

Sarah c1862

Joseph Jesse 1864 (died aged 14 months in 1865, buried in the NRC on the 14^th September)

The 1851 census records Maria (28), as a Bargeman’s Wife, her children, Elizabeth (7), Thomas (2) and James (2 months) living in Jack of Newbury Street, Newbury with Maria’s mother Phoebe (67). Thomas doesn’t seem to be recorded in this census.

Maria’s mother died aged 73 in 1858 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th July.

The 1861 census records Maria (38), Thomas (41), a Boatman, Elizabeth (17), a Servant out of Place, Thomas (12), a Boat Boy and William (2), living in Balding’s Buildings Newbury.

Maria died aged 49 in 1870 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th August.

The 1871 census records Thomas (50), as a Labourer living in Independent Chapel Yard Newbury, with his son William (13). His son Thomas (21), a Labourer, daughter-in-law Martha (22) and grandchildren, George (2) and Mary J. (8 months) were recorded living next door.

By 1881 Thomas (61) was working as a General Labourer, living in Cromwell Place Newbury with his daughter Sarah (18), working as a Housekeeper and two lodgers. He was still working as a Labourer, living in Cromwell Place in 1891 but was living alone at this time.

Thomas died on the 2^nd January 1895 (age at death recorded as 63) he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th January.

Sources: as above