William Brookman

1851-1922

William was born in Compton Berkshire he was the son of Daniel and Ann Brookman (nee Maskell) who married in 1848 (marriage registered in Newbury). Daniel was born c1826 in Compton and Ann was born c1814 in Yattendon, Hampstead Norris or Compton Berkshire.  

Ann was a widow when she married Daniel, her 1^st husband was William Earley, they were married on the 18^th March 1834 at St Mary and St Nicolas Church Compton (Ann’s surname was recorded as Mascall), they had two sons, Henry born c1836 and Alfred born in 1839. William Earl(e)y died aged 35 in 1847.

Daniel and Ann also had a daughter, Ellen born c1849.

The 1851 census records Daniel (25), as a Farm Labourer, living in Compton with Ann (35), Ellen (2), Henry Earley (15), a Moulder and Alfred Earley (11).

In the 1861 census William (9), was recorded living in Newbury Lane Compton with his parents Daniel (34), a Mechanic’s Labourer and  Ann (44), his sister Ellen (12) and his widowed grandmother Harriet (recorded as Henrietta) Brookman (63), an Agricultural Labourer (born Childrey Berkshire).

The 1871 census records William (19), as a Moulder, living with his parents in Compton, his father was recorded as a Painter in this census.

William’s mother Ann died aged 74 in 1886 (death registered in Wantage). His father remarried in 1887 his 2^nd wife was Eliza Head.

The 1891 census records Daniel (65), as a Painter living in Newbury Lane Compton with Eliza (54).

Daniel died aged 75 in 1900 he was laid to rest on the 12^th July at Holy Trinity Hermitage

William married Matilda Nelson (born c1844 in Compton) in 1877 (marriage registered in Wantage). They had four daughters, Emily Amelia Ann born in 1877, Rosabella born in 1879, Julia born in 1882 and Mabel Alice born c1885.

The 1881 census records Matilda (37), as an Iron Moulder’s Wife living in Grove Street Compton with her daughters, Emily (3) and Rosebella (2). William was not at home when this census was taken.

By 1882 the family had moved to Newbury. The 1891 census records William (39), as an Iron Moulder living in Cheap Street, Newbury with Matilda (47) and their four daughters.

In 1901 William (49), was recorded as an Iron Founder’s Foreman living at 5 Bartholomew Terrace, Pound Street, Newbury, with Matilda (57) and their daughter Mabel (16), a Boot Maker.

The 1911 census again records the family living at 5 Bartholomew Terrace. William (59) was recorded as an Iron Founder Manager for an Agricultural Iron Foundry Works. Only Matilda (67), Emily (33), an Assistant Draper and Mabel (26) where recorded in the household.

Both Rose and Julia had married by 1911. Rose married Samuel Mogford in 1902 in Reading and Julia married George Smith in 1905 in Reading.

Emily married John Smillie in Reading in 1913 and Mabel married Samuel Godden in 1930, also in Reading.

Matilda died aged 70 on the 15^th July 1913 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 18^th July.

On the 11^th February 1922 William (70) committed suicide by stepping in front of a train he died in Newbury District Hospital and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 16^th February.

Probate:    Brookman William of 5 Pound-street Bartholomew-terrace Newbury Berkshire died 11^th February 1922 Administration (with Will) London 21^st March to Emily Amelia Ann Smillie (wife of John Smillie)      Effects: £366 12s 10d

Sources: as above