Charlotte Tombs

c1847-1931

Charlotte, her parents, siblings and early life:

Charlotte was born in Stockcross, Berkshire, the daughter of George and Elizabeth Elms (nee Pearce) who were married on the 8^th September 1842 at St Mary the Virgin Speen, Berkshire.

Charlotte’s father George was baptised on the 5^th August 1804 in Speen, the son of Elam (a Farmer) and Mary Elms (nee Bulpit) who were married on the 12^th October 1797 at St Michael & All Angels, Enborne, Berkshire. George was a widower when he married Elizabeth. His 1^st wife was Maria Withers, they married on the 9^th December 1816 at St Mary the Virgin Speen. George was a Publican and a Bricklayer. In 1841 George was living in Stockcross. He died aged 74 in 1875 (death registered in Newbury)

Charlotte’s mother Elizabeth was born on the 19^th August 1820, she was baptised on the 2^nd October 1820 in Writhlington, Somerset the daughter of John (recorded as a Yeoman, later recorded as a Butcher) and Maria Pearce (nee Smith) who were married on the 30^th September 1819 in Writhlington Somerset. By 1841 the Pearce family were living in Stockcross, Berkshire. Elizabeth died aged 62 in 1883 (death registered in Newbury)

George and Elizabeth also had 3 sons, John, born c1843, Thomas born in 1845 and George born in 1849.

In 1851 Charlotte (3) was living in Stockcross with her father George (48), a Bricklayer, her mother Elizabeth (30), her brothers John (8), Thomas (6) and George (2), her uncle, Frederick Pearce (22), a Butcher and a Servant, Emma Pike (15)

The 1861 census records Charlotte (14) as a Domestic Servant, she was still living at home with her parents and her 3 brothers. The family were recorded living at the Cricketers, Wickham Road, Stockcross. Her father was recorded as a Beerhouse Keeper and Bricklayer.

Charlotte in later life:

Charlotte married Edwin Tombs in 1867 (marriage registered in Newbury)

(Edwin was born in 1840 in Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Israel and Maria Tombs (nee Purdue) who were married on the 29^th March 1832 in Collingbourne Dulcis Wiltshire). In 1851 Edwin (11) was a pupil at Christ Hospital Hertfordshire. He was recorded as a Grocer’s Assistant at Webb’s Grocers 50 Northbrook Street, Newbury in 1861)

Edwin and Charlotte had the following 9 sons:

John Edwin George 1868 (died aged 35 in Birmingham, buried in the NRC on the 13^th November 1903)

Henry c1870 (died aged 2 months, buried in the NRC on the 26^th February)

Harry c1871

Fred 1872 (died aged 16, buried in the NRC on the 18^th October 1889)

Walter 1874

Edwin 1876 (died aged 10 months, buried in the NRC on the 12^th May)

Frank 1879 (died aged 9 months, buried in the NRC on the 27^th August)

Charles 1881

Richard c1889

In 1871 Charlotte (23) was recorded living at 31 West Street, Newbury, with her husband Edwin (31), a Grocer’s Shopman and their sons George (2) (John Edwin George) and Harry (2 months).

By 1881 Edwin had his own grocery business in Speenhamland, Newbury, employing 4 men. The census for this year records Edwin (42), Charlotte (34), Frederick (8), Walter (6) and Charlotte’s widowed mother Elizabeth Elms (61), living in Speenhamland.

The 1891 census records Charlotte (43), Edwin (51), a Grocer and their sons Charles (8) and Richard (2) living in Cold Ash, Berkshire.

Edwin died aged 58 on the 7^th October 1898, he was laid to rest in a family vault in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 11^th October.

In 1901 Charlotte (54) and her son Richard (12) were recorded living in Fair View, Cold Ash, Berkshire.

By 1911 they had moved to Biltmore, Blenheim Road, Caversham, Berkshire. The census for that year records Charlotte living on private means and Richard as a Cabinet Salesman. Also recorded in the household was a Domestic Servant, Minnie Robinson (22).

Charlotte died aged 85 on the 4^th December 1931 in Hertfordshire, she was brought to Newbury and laid to rest in the family vault with her husband Edwin and her sons Fred and John Edwin George on the 7^th December.

Mrs P    Page 196     M(A) 48

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