Joseph Taylor

c1822-1862

According to both the 1851 and 1861 census records Joseph was born c1822 in Newbury.

In 1841 he was working as an Agricultural Labourer at Upper Bowden Farm in Pangbourne Berkshire.

In 1848 Joseph found himself in trouble with the law. The following newspaper article appeared in the Reading Mercury dated 4^th November 1848

The Michaelmas Quarter Session

JOHN HANCOCK and JOSEPH TAYLOR, for unlawfully assaulting Sander Wilson, governor and James Elliott, porter, of the Newbury Union, on the 17^th July. - Mr Wilson stated, that Hancock went into the house on the above day, and he (witness) told him that since he was last there smoking had be prohibited in the house; on the following Wednesday, Hancock had been see smoking, and when witness told him to discontinue it, he refused, and immediately put himself into a fighting attitude: Taylor came up at that time, and he did the same. Hancock then kicked him several times. - J Elliott deposed, that Hancock struck him and the governor more than once – Both the prisoners were found guilty. Hancock has been in the house five years, and eleven times in prison ; he was sentenced to four calendar months hard labour and Taylor to on month ; and at the expiration of the imprisonment to be bound over to keep the peace for twelve months.

The 1851 census records Joseph aged 29, as a Cow Keeper, he was recorded as a Prisoner in Reading Goal.

In the 1861 census he was recorded aged 39, working as a labourer, lodging in the City Newbury.

He died aged 41 in 1862 and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 19^th November.

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