Eliza Maria Willis (1840 – 1864)

Job Henry Willis (1864 – 1866)

Henry Willis (1872 – 1872)

Eliza Maria Keens was born circa December 1840 in Highclere, the daughter of Job and Ann, nee New, Keens. She was baptized on 26 January 1841 at St Michael & All Angels in Highclere.

Eliza was recorded in the 1841 census with her parents and brother Joseph aged 3 living in Highclere. Job was an agricultural labourer.

Ten years later in the 1851 census Eliza was living in Ayres Yard, off Bartholomew Street in Newbury with her parents and brother Joseph along with two lodgers. Job was a doctor’s servant.

In the 1861 census Eliza was still living with her parents and brother Joseph but now at 5 Raymond’s Alms Houses off Bartholomew Street in Newbury. Eliza was recorded as a dressmaker, Job a Chelsea Pensioner and Joseph a journeyman tallow chandler.

Eliza married Henry Willis on 25 December 1863 at St John in Newbury by banns. Henry was born circa 1837 in Newbury, the son of James and Sarah, nee Shapcott, Willis.

Eliza died in October 1864 aged only 23 and she was buried on 15 October 1864 at Newtown Road Cemetery. Her death was almost certainly linked to the birth of her son Job Henry who was born in October.

Henry remarried in 1865 in Newbury to Elizabeth Ireson. Elizabeth was born circa 1843 in St Pancras, daughter of Charles and Frances. In the 1851 census she was recorded at the Five Bells Inn in Speen with her parents and siblings, Charles was a publican.

Job Henry, son of Eliza and Henry, died in April 1866 aged 18 months. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 19 April 1866.

In the 1871 census Henry and Elizabeth were recorded in Shaw Road in Speen with children Charles Henry aged 4, Kate aged 3 and Fanny aged 1 and Henry was a tailor.

Henry and Elizabeth had a son Henry in May 1872 who died on 1 December 1872 aged 7 months from convulsions. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 5 December 1872.

Henry and Elizabeth stayed living in Newbury for many years, in the 1911 census they were living at 2 Montreal Place. However, by the 1921 census they had moved to Wood Green in North London.

Eliza’s parents were also buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, her father Job on 30 November 1861 and her mother Ann on 23 January 1878.

Sources: