Thomas Groves

Author: Gerald Soper
Date published: 25/01/2022
©

2nd husb, Thomas Groves (1826 – 1886)

Harriet Groves (1820 – 1875)

1st husb. Robert Willis (-1858)

Son Robert Willis (-1908)

Harriet Callis (-1873)

 

Harriet Callis was born circa 1820 in Newbury, the daughter of George and Harriet Callis. (Harriet Callis, her mother, was buried in Newtown Road Cemetery on 10 February 1873).

 

NIn the 1841 census Harriet was living with her parents, George and Harriet, sister Mary aged 9 and brother Charles aged 7 at Speenhamland.

 

Harriet married Robert Willis on 7 February 1842 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Robert was recorded as a flyman resident in Newbury and Caroline as a resident of Newbury with no occupation. Robert was born circa 1808 in Newbury the son of Robert Willis. He was recorded living in Northbrook Street in Newbury in the 1841 census, his occupation was a flyman.

 

In the 1851 census Robert and Harriet with children Harriet aged 7, Robert aged 6, George aged 4 and Mary Ann aged 1 were recorded at 5 Simmons Yard in Newbury. Robert senior was a flyman.

 

Robert Willis died in May 1858 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 4 June 1858.

 

In the 1861 census Harriet was living with children Harriet aged 17, Robert aged 15, George aged 13, Mary aged 11, Clara aged 5 and Louisa aged 3 in Bartholomew Street in Newbury. Harriet was a shoe shop keeper and Robert a shoemaker apprentice.

 

Harriet married Thomas Groves in 1862 in Newbury. Thomas was born circa 1826 in Challow near Wantage, his father was George Groves. In the 1841 census he was probably living at Hill Farm, Letcombe Regis and his occupation was a servant. Thomas married Mary Ann Skinner on 9 May 1848 at St Nicolas in Newbury, he was recorded as a traveller in the marriage record. In the 1851 census Thomas and Mary Ann were recorded as visitors at the Black Bear, Market Place in Newbury and Thomas’s occupation was a dealer in hardware and glass. No trace of Thomas or Mary Ann in the 1861 census or any record of the death of Mary Ann.

 

In the 1871 census Thomas and Harriet with children Clara aged 15 and Alice aged 5 were recorded in Bartholomew Street in Newbury, Thomas was a labourer.

 

Harriet Groves died on 25 February 1875 and was buried on 3 March 1875 at Newtown Road Cemetery. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 4 March 1875 as below.

 

GROVES – Feb. 25, at West Fields, after a long and painful illness of cancer, Harriet, the beloved wife of Thomas Groves, aged 51, deeply lamented by a sorrowing family and friends.

 

Thomas Groves was residing in Newbury Union Workhouse in the 1881 census, recorded as a pauper and an agricultural labourer. He died 31 December 1885 in the Workhouse and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 4 January 1886.

 

Robert Willis, son of Robert and Harriet was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 29 April 1908, as well as his wife and three children.

Sources:

Website designed and maintained by Paul Thompson on behalf of the Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery.

Administrator Login