Emma Nias/Emma Nias Tomes

c1817-1862

Over time Emma’s family surname has been recorded as Nias, Tomes Nias and Tomes. (Highlighted accordingly).

Emma was born in Newbury she was baptised on the 3^rd August 1817 at St Nicolas Church Newbury, the daughter of William Tomes and Amy Nias (nee Gray) who were married on the 10^th February 1811 at St Mary’s Church Thatcham Berkshire (both were from the parish of Greenham, William was a widower. William’s surname recorded as Tower and Tomco on FMP)

Emma’s father William was a Tailor, he was born c1780  and died aged 76 in 1855, death registered as William Nias, buried as William Nias Tomes on the 18^th July 1855 at St Nicolas Newbury, laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery as William Nias Tombs

Her mother Amey was baptised on the 22^nd April 1781 at St Mary Greenham, the daughter of Robert and Mary Gray (nee Hopkins) who were married on the 11^th August 1776 in Greenham. Amey died aged 64 in 1843, she was buried on the 6^th September at St Nicolas Newbury as Amy Nias Tomes

Other known children of William and Amy were:

James born and privately baptised 11^th October 1811 son of William Tomes and Amy Nias

Thomas baptised 27^th June 1813 son of William and Amy Tomes Nias

John baptised 2^nd July 1815 son of William Tomes and Amy Nias (died age 3+ buried as John Nias on the 5^th October 1818 at St Nicolas Newbury)

Ann baptised 6^th February 1820 daughter of William Tomes and Amy Nias

In 1815 William Nias (35), Amy (33), James (4) and Thomas (2) were living in Princes Yard on the west side of Mary Hill Newbury

The 1841 census records William Neas (60), Am(e)y (60), Thomas (25), a Journeyman Carpenter and Ann (20) living at 157 Northbrook Street, Newbury. Emma  Rias (20), was living at New Barn Farm, Freefolk Manor, Hampshire she was recorded as a Female Servant.

Emma became a mother in 1845, her illegitimate daughter Alice Tomes was baptised on the 25^th May at St Nicolas Church Newbury

In 1851 Emma Nias Tomes (31) was working as a House Servant at Clarence Crescent, Clewer, Berkshire. Her daughter Alice (6) was recorded living with her uncle James Nias Toms (38), a Tailor, and his family in West Mills, Newbury.

Emma Nias Tomes died aged 42 in 1862, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 18^th August as Emma Nias.

Sources: