James Tennant

c1815-1861

James, his parents, siblings and early life:

James was baptised on the 23^rd July 1815 at St Nicolas Church Newbury, the son of George (a Blacksmith) and Mary Tennant (nee King) who were married on the 31^st December 1801 at St Nicolas Church Newbury. George and Mary were both born c1775.

George and Mary also had the following children (baptised at St Nicolas Church Newbury):

Richard born 7^th September 1802 baptised 6^th October 1802

George born c1805 (no baptism found)

Charles born c1807 (no baptism found, died aged 27 in 1834 buried at St Nicolas Newbury on the 8^th September)

Twins: Priscilla and Mary born 20^th October 1808 baptised 20^th November 1808

John Andrew born 29^th December 1810 baptised 27^th January 1811 (died aged 13 in 1824 buried at St Nicolas Newbury on the 8^th October)

Joseph baptised 14^th December 1817 (died aged 28 in 1846 buried at St Nicolas Newbury on the 28^th August)

In 1815 George (40) was working as a Locksmith, living in Almshouse Yard, West Mills, Newbury with his wife Mary (40), their children Richard (13), George (10), Charles (8), Priscilla (6), Mary (6) and John (4), a Mary Ann Teel (10), Joseph King (64) a Shoemaker and Sarah King (70) (possibly Mary’s parents)

George died aged 48 in 1826, he was buried at St Nicolas Newbury on the 12^th April

Mary died aged 59 in 1837, she was buried at St Nicolas Newbury on the 15^th April

James:

James was a Shoemaker. In 1841 he was living in Back Lane, Newbury with his brothers George (35) a Fruiterer and Joseph (20) a Blacksmith and his sister Mary (30).

James married Avis Dore (born c1821 in Welford Berkshire, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Dore) on the 11^th February 1844 at St Laurence Reading at this time both were living at 8 West Street. Witnesses were Richard and Olive Tennant (his brother and sister-in-law).

James and Avis had the following children:

Mary Ann 1844

Priscilla 1845 (died aged 10 months in 1846)

Hannah Maria 1847 (died aged 6 in 1853 buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th July)

Martha 1849

George c1850

James 1853 (died aged 79 in 1932 buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 2^nd November)

Stillborn child born 1855 (buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 15^th October)

Charles 1859 (died aged 2 in 1862 buried as Ernest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 21^st April)

The family lived in Back Lane, Newbury.

James died aged 46 in 1861, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 6^th September.

The 1871 census records Avis as a Shoe Binder living in Back Lane, her daughter Mary Ann (26) and son James (19) were living with her. The 1881 census records Avis living in Bedford Place, Newbury. By 1891 she was living with her married son James and his family at Oddfellows Hall, Caretaker House, Newbury.

Avis died aged 73 in 1892, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 23^rd April.

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