Harry Dance

1857-1909

Harry was born in Speen, Berkshire, the son of George and Ann Dance (nee Joyce) who were married on the 16^th December 1854 in Thatcham, Berkshire George was a widower.

Harry’s father George was born c1827 in Marsh Benham, Berkshire, the son of William and Eliza Dance (nee Shaw) who were married on the 1^st March 1824 at St Mary, Speen, Berkshire. George married Maria Stroud in 1849. They had a daughter Maria born c1850. Maria died aged 27 in 1852, she was buried on the 4^th December at St Mary the Virgin Speen.

Harry’s mother Ann born in Midgham, Berkshire, she was baptised on the 13^th June 1830 in Thatcham, Berkshire, the daughter of Aaron and Harriet Joyce (nee Jewell) who were married on the 27^th January 1828 in Kingsclere, Hampshire.

George and Ann also had the following children:

Frederick 1855

Tom 1858

Giles 1860

Kate 1862

Walter 1864

Walace 1866

Alice 1868

Ellen 1870

The 1861 census records Harry (4) living in Marsh Benham with his father George (33), a Labourer in a Peat Meadow, his mother Ann (30), his half-sister Maria (11) and his brothers, Frederick (5), Tom (2) and Giles (9 months).

By 1871 the family were living in Stockcross, Berkshire, George was working as a Brick Yard Labourer.

The 1881 census also records the family living in Stockcross, Harry (24) and his father George (53) were recorded as Agricultural Labourers.

Harry died aged 52 in the Newbury Workhouse in 1909, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 30^th April.

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