Michael Willis (1821 – 1896)

Mary Ann Willis (1819 – 1904)

Michael Willis (1849 – 1892)

Michael Willis was born circa 1821 in Newbury the son of William Willis. No trace of Michael or his family in the 1841 census.

Mary Ann Brindley was born circa 1819 in Newbury the daughter of William and Charlotte, nee Challis, Brindley. Her father William was buried 3 January 1834 at St Nicolas in Newbury. In the 1841 census Mary Ann was recorded with her mother and brothers Joseph, Thomas, Daniel and also James Brindley aged 1 in Wash Road in Newbury. Charlotte was recorded as a laundress.

Michael married Mary Ann on 28 May 1843 at St Nicolas in Newbury.

In the 1851 census records Michael and Mary Ann along with children Hannah aged 7, William aged 6 and twins Martha and Michael aged 1 were living in Bartholomew Street in Newbury. Michael was recorded as a hawker. Also in the house was James Willis aged 10 and recorded as a son, but possibly a nephew of Michael and Mary Ann.

Ten years later in the 1861 census Michael and Mary along with twins Martha and Michael aged 11, Sarah aged 9, Mary Ann aged 7 and Ellen aged 2 were living in The City in Newbury. Michael was recorded as a hawker and Mary Ann as a lodging house keeper.

Michael and Mary were still living in The City in 1871 along with children William aged 23, twins Martha and Michael aged 21, and Ellen aged 12/13 in a lodging house along with 7 lodgers. Michael was the head of the house and still a hawker, sons William and Michael were labourers and daughter Martha a dressmaker, Ellen was a scholar.

In the 1881 census Michael and Mary Ann remained living in The City with one lodger and Michael still a hawker. Their son Michael was living with his widowed sister Hannah Gough and her daughter at 80 Bartholomew Street and Michael was a bricklayer’s labourer.

Michael and Mary Ann with son Michael were living at 3 Old Newtown Road in the 1891 census with Michael senior a hawker and his son a bricklayer’s labourer.

Michael Willis, the son, died aged 42 on 25 March 1892 and he was buried in Newtown Road Cemetery on 31 March 1892. An announcement appeared in the Reading Standard dated 1 April 1892 as below.

WILLIS – On the 25 March, at Hampton Road, Newbury, Michael Willis, aged 42.

Michael Willis, senior died aged 74 on 18 January 1896 and he was buried in Newtown Road Cemetery on 22 January 1896. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 23 January 1896 as below.

WILLIS – Jan. 18, at 80 Bartholomew Street Road, Newbury, Michael Willis, aged 74.

Mary Ann was recorded at 10 Raymond’s Almshouses, Newtown Road in the 1901 census along with her grandson Sydney Turner aged 9.

Mary Ann Willis died aged 84 in February 1904 while living in Raymond’s Almhouses in Newbury and she was buried in Newtown Road Cemetery on the 20 February.

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