Emily Stevens (1856 – 1925)

Emily Stevens was born circa 1856 in Slough. It has not been possible to positively identify Emily in the 1861 and 1871 censuses.

In the 1881 census Emily was probably living as a servant at Rectory Grange, Datchet in Buckinghamshire and her occupation was housemaid (domestic). She was recorded as being born in Slough and aged 22 although she was 24. Ages in the census returns are not always reliable.

No trace of Emily in the 1891 census.

Ten years later in the 1901 census Emily was living as a servant at The Vicarage in Chippenham and she was a cook (domestic).

Emily was probably living at 98 Oxford Road in Reading in the 1911 census and her occupation was domestic servant. As in the 1881 census her age was under stated, it was recorded as 50 rather than 54.

Emily had moved to Newbury by 1919 as she was recorded in the electoral register at 7 Smith’s Buildings, Marsh Road,

Then in the 1921 census Emily was still living at 7 Smith’s Buildings and her occupation was “home duties”. Also living in the house were two Barnado boys, John McCartney aged 10 years & 8 months who was born in Belfast and Eric Cyril Woolley aged 11 years & 4 months who was born in Chelsea.

Emily died in April 1925 aged 69 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 23 April 1925. She was still living at Smith’s Buildings at the time of his death.

Sources: