Frederick Penn (1857 – 1937)

Elizabeth Jane Penn (1854 – 1931)

Frederick Penn was born in 1857 in Northampton, the son of Frederick and Eliza, nee Whitehead, Penn.

He was recorded with his parents and siblings in Northampton in the 1861 and 1871 censuses, his father was a bootmaker in 1871.

In the 1881 census Frederick was recorded as a lodger at 164 Euston Road in St Pancras and his occupation was recorded as boot binder – forwarder.

Elizabeth Jane Willis was born in 1854 in Banbury in Oxfordshire, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth, nee Bradbury, Willis. She was baptized on 2 May 1855 at St Mary in Banbury

Elizabeth was living at 11 South Street in Southwark with her parents, sister Mary Ann aged 11, brother Thomas aged 8 and sister Roseina aged 1 in the 1861 census. Her father Thomas was a painter.

Ten years later in the 1871 census Elizabeth was recorded with her parents and siblings Mary Ann aged 20, Thomas aged 18, Roseina aged 11, Leonora aged 7 and Frederick aged 4 at Miles Stone Road in Stone near Dartford in Kent. Her father and her brother Thomas were both painters but Elizabeth had no occupation recorded. No trace of Elizabeth in the 1881 census.

Frederick married Elizabeth Jane in 1884 in Northampton district.

In the 1891 census Frederick and Elizabeth were living in Market Street in South Stoneham in Hampshire with sons Hubert Willis aged 5, born in Northampton, and Stanley, aged 1 born in Reading. Frederick was a boot retailer.

Ten years later in the 1901 census Frederick and Elizabeth were living in Elmhurst, Romsey Road, Eastleigh in Hampshire with sons Hubert Willis aged 15, Stanley, aged 11 and Eric aged 5. Frederick was a boot and shoe dealer.

The family moved to Newbury in 1908 when Frederick opened a bootmaker’s shop in the Market Place. In the 1911 and 1921 censuses Frederick and Elizabeth were recorded at 59 Cheap Street in Newbury. Frederick was a boot dealer in 1911 and in 1921 a boot and shoe shop keeper. In 1911 there were also two boarders in the house and in 1921 their son Stanley Arnold was also recorded who was a shoe retail dealer.

Elizabeth’s sister Mary Ann Willis died 8 March 1917 at 59 Cheap Street in Newbury. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 8 March 1917.

Elizabeth died 27 July 1931 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 29 July. She left a will and probate was granted on 3 November 1931 at Oxford to Frederick and her son Hubert Willis Penn, a shoe retailer. The value of the estate was £1,289 5s 10d.

Frederick died on 20 June 1937 while on holiday at South Molton in Devon. He was buried at Newtown Road cemetery on 23 June, the service was conducted by the Rev John Wilding, the Congregational Minister, as Frederick was a Congregationalist his whole life and a local preacher for over 50 years. A short report appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 24 June 1937. Frederick did not leave a will but administration of his estate was granted to his son Hubert Willis Penn, a boot and shoe retailer, on 3 November 1931. The value of the estate was £130 0s 11d.

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