Charles Hughes (1794 — 1872)

Martha Taylor (1800 —1872)

Charles was born 3 June 1794 at Crookham the son of Thomas Hughes & Susanna Palin. He was baptized 10 August 1794 at St Mary in Thatcham. Charles enlisted in the 22nd Regiment of Light Dragoons on 4 September 1811 in Newbury. He served in the regiment until 25 July 1820 when he was discharged for medical reasons to the Royal Hospital for Chelsea Pensioners in London. On discharge he was recorded as 5 foot 6 inches, brown hair, grey eyes, dark complexion & trade a baker.
Charles married Martha Taylor on 24 May 1821 at St Marylebone in Westminster. Martha was baptized 18 May 1800 at St Mary in Kingsclere, daughter of James & Sarah.
In the 1841 census Charles & Martha with children Maria (aged 11) & Charles (aged 3) were in the Union Workhouse in Newbury with Charles recorded as an agricultural labourer. Charles's brother Joseph, a widower, was also in the Workhouse. In the 1851 census Charles & Martha with children Charles (aged 13) & Samuel (aged 7) were living in Bartholomew Street in Newbury. Charles was recorded as an agricultural labourer & his birthplace appears to be Ecchinswell. In the 1861 census Charles & Martha with son Samuel (aged 17) were living The City in Newbury. Charles was recorded as a labourer & his birthplace was recorded as Ichinswell. In the 1871 census Charles & Martha were living in Old Road in Newbury. Charles was recorded as a labourer & his birthplace was recorded as Greenham &Martha was a charwoman.


Martha died January 1872 aged 71 while still living at Old Road & was buried 29 January 1872 at Newtown Road Cemetery after a service at St John the Evangelist in Newbury.
Charles died April 1872 aged 77 while still living at Old Road & was buried 11 April 1872 at Newtown Road Cemetery after a service at St John the Evangelist in Newbury.

In the 1851 to 1871 censuses Martha was recorded as being born in Kingsclere. As mentioned above the birthplace of Charles varied but there is no record of any baptism of any other Charles Hughes in Ecchinswell or Greenham around 1794 so this is almost certainly the correct Charles. The Hughes family lived at Crookham Common for many years. The marriage in Westminster soon after Charles left the army makes it more likely this is the correct couple.

Sources: