John Merrett

c1826-1883

John was born in Stanton St Bernard Wiltshire. He married Sophia Popejoy (born c1818 Stanton St Bernard Wiltshire) in Devizes Wiltshire in 1846 and they had the following children:

Henry 1846

Elizabeth c1848

John 1851

Clara 1856

John was a Harness Maker (1851), Saddler (1861), Harness Maker (Journeyman) (1871) and Saddler and Licenced Victualler (1881).

In 1851 the family were living with Sophia’s father, Nathaniel in Stanton St Bernard Wiltshire. They were still living in Wiltshire in 1861 (Great Bedwyn) but by 1871 they had moved to Magdala Terrace Newbury. The 1881 census records them living at the Carnarvon Arms Market Place Newbury.

John died aged 57 (at the Carnarvon Arms) on the 16^th September 1883 he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 19^th September.

The licence for the Carnarvon Arms was temporarily transferred to Sophia after John’s death (as reported in the NWN dated 27^th September 1883) but by 1891 Sophia was recorded living with her married daughter Clara Freeman and her family, at Clifton Cottages Greenham.

Sources:as above