Lucy Willis (1786 – 1867)

Lucy Hamblin was born circa 1786 in Speen. She married Samuel Willis on 17 February 1812 at St Mary in Speen, when he was recorded as a widower. Samuel had previously married Ann Dodd on 23 December 1792 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Ann died in 1810 in childbirth and was buried on 5 May 1810 at St Nicolas.

Samuel probably died in May 1821 aged 64 and he was buried on 15 May 1821 at the St Mary in Thatcham, there were no burials in Newbury for a Samuel Willis in that period.

In the 1841 census Lucy was recorded with Eliza Clements aged 15 in Bartholomew Street in Newbury. Lucy was recorded as a tailoress and Eliza as a laundress.

Ten years later in the 1851 census Lucy was living by herself in Jack of Newbury Street in Newbury and recorded as a pauper tailoress.

In the 1861 census Lucy was living by herself at 3 St Mary’s Almhouses in Cheap Street in Newbury. Her occupation was recorded as residing in an almhouse.

Lucy died March 1867 aged 81 and she was buried on 12 March 1867 at Newtown Road Cemetery.

It is thought two of Lucy’s children were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, her son James Willis on 18 January 1888 and her daughter Leah Hamblin on 1 February 1892.

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