Robert Elijah Butler (1858 – 1922)

Robert was born in 1858 at Welford, the son of Jonathan and Phoebe, nee Warner, Butler. William and Phoebe married in Newbury district in 1849. Phoebe had previously married Joseph Venn on 24 March 1845 at St Nicolas in Newbury. James subsequently died in September 1848 and was buried on 24 September 1848 at St Mary in Speenhamland.

In the 1861 census Robert was recorded living at Weston near Welford with his parents, brother Tom (Thomas) aged 11, sister Mary aged 7 and half-brother William Venn aged 16. His father Jonathan was a bricklayer. Ten years later in the 1871 census Robert was still living at Weston with his parents and brother Tom and sister Mary. Jonathan and Tom were both bricklayers while Robert was recorded as a scholar.

Robert’s father Jonathan died in December 1875 and was buried at St Gregory in Welford on 19 December 1875.

At the subsequent 1881 census Robert was still living at Weston with his mother Phoebe and brother Tom. Robert and Tom were both bricklayers while Phoebe was recorded as a housekeeper.

In the following year Phoebe was admitted to the Berkshire County Asylum at Cholsey on 14 July 1882. She died in the Asylum on 12 July 1885 and was buried at St Mary in Cholsey on 15 July.

Robert was recorded still living at Weston along with his sister Mary in the 1891 census. He was recorded as an agricultural labourer but Mary had no occupation recorded.

Mary married John Gleed a few months after the census. She died in March 1918 and was buried at St Gregory in Welford on 23 March 1918. Mary and Robert’s brother Thomas was also buried at St Gregory on 5 June 1916 aged 66.

Ten years later in the 1901 census Robert was living by himself in Welford and working as an agricultural labourer.

Robert was recorded in the Newbury Union Workhouse in the 1901 census and his occupation was an agricultural labourer.

Moving forward another ten years in the 1921 census Robert was recorded as a lodger at the Weavers Arms in Cheap Street in Newbury. His occupation was grave digger, he was working at Newbury Corporation Cemetery in Shaw.

Robert died November 1922 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 23 November 1922.

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