George Bryant

1844-1890

George was born in Thatcham Berkshire the son of John and Hannah Briant (nee Owen) who were married on the 26^th February 1831 at the parish church of St Mary Thatcham (both were single).

John and Hannah also had the following children, Ann born c1833, Thomas born c1836 and Mary born in 1838, all three were born in Chieveley.

In 1841 Hannah (30), an Agricultural Labourer and her children Ann (8), Thomas (5) and Mary (2) were living in Cold Ash Thatcham.

The 1851 census records Hannah (38) as a widow, living in Long Lane Thatcham with her children, Ann (18), a Servant, Thomas (15), an Agricultural Labourer, Mary (12) and George (6), also recorded in the household was a lodger, John Owen (30) (possibly Hannah’s brother). Hannah was recorded as a Pauper/Agricultural Labourer.

Hannah remarried in 1851 her 2^nd husband was Stephen Cooper, (a widower with three daughters, Anne (born Anne May in 1839 before her mother married Stephen, Mary (born c1844 and Alice born 1850, (1^st wife Jane May, married 1843, widowed 1851).

The 1861 census records George (16) as an Agricultural Labourer living in Ashmore Green Thatcham with his step-father Stephen Cooper (47) a Carter, his mother Hannah (49) and his half-sister Hannah Cooper (8). Ten years later George (26) was working as an Engine Stoker, living in Hereford Place Newbury with his step-father, mother, half-sister, Hannah Cooper (18) and a step-niece, Annie L Cooper (5).

George married Sarah Appleton in Newbury in 1880. Sarah was born c1843 in Newbury the illegitimate daughter of Martha Appleton. Sarah already had two daughters, Mary Ann born in 1861 and Alice born in 1866 before she married George.

The 1881 census records George (36) and Sarah (37) living in the City, Newbury, George was recorded as a Labourer.

Sarah gave birth to a daughter, Martha Ellen in 1882 sadly Martha died aged 3 on the 10^th November 1885 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 16^th November (with her cousin William Daniel Appleton).

George died aged 45 on 8^th October 1890 he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 11^th October.

In 1891 Sarah (47) was working as a Charwoman, living alone in Hampton Road Newbury.

The 1901 census records Sarah as a Servant (Washerwoman) in the household of widower Charles Edmonds (69) in Wash Common Newbury. In 1911 she was working as a Cook at Warren Lodge Newbury, the home of Miss Mary Smith-Masters (65)

By 1921 Sarah was living at 8 Bartholomew Almshouses Newbury she died aged 77 on the 5^th January 1921 and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th January with her husband George. Sarah’s mother Martha Bowles was also buried in the same grave in 1893.

Sources:as above