Samuel Salter (1809 – 1893)

Samuel Salter was born circa 1809 in Draycot Cerne near Chippenham in Wiltshire, the son of Giles and Mary Salter. He was baptized on 11 June 1809 at St James in Draycot Cerne.

In the 1851 census Samuel was recorded living as a servant at Speen Hill and his occupation was a groom.

Samuel married Harriet Knight on 24 June 1854 at St Mary in Speen. Both Samuel and Harriet were recorded as servants living in Speen. Harriet was baptized on 8 October 1828 at St Nicolas in Newbury, the daughter of William (a miller) and Mary Ann.

In the 1861 census Samuel and Harriet along with daughter Emily aged 4, Alice aged 2 weeks and a niece Ellen Knight aged 13 were living at Bath Road in Speen. Samuel was a retailer of beer.

The Newbury Weekly News dated 12 March 1864 had a report about Samuel Salter, a beer keeper from Donnington being charged with having his house open for sale of beer on 29 February after 10 o’clock at night, contrary to the terms of his licence. Superintendent Harfield testified that he never had any complaint when the defendant kept a house at Speenhamland. Samuel was found guilty and fined 10s plus 10s costs.

Harriet had a son Arthur Lewin on 11 July 1867 at Cross Keys Inn in Donnington. Harriet died the following year aged just 39 and she was buried at St Mary in Boxford on 11 July 1868 (Arthur’s first birthday).

Three years later in the 1871 census Samuel along with children Alice aged 12, Annie aged 8 and Arthur aged 3 were living at Bath Road in Donnington and Samuel was gardener.

In the 1881 census Samuel along with children Annie and Arthur still living in Donnington, Samuel was a gardener and Annie a general servant.

By the time of the 1891 census Samuel was living with his daughter Annie Holdup and her husband Walter at 2 Frederick’s Cottages, St John’s Road in Newbury. Samuel was still a gardener and Walter a machinist.

Samuel died 23 May 1893 and he was buried on 27 May at Newtown Road Cemetery. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 23 May as below. An announcement also appeared in the Reading Standard of 26 May 1893.

SALTER – May 23, at Frederick’s Cottages, St John’s Road, Newbury, Samuel Salter, aged 84 years

Samuel’s son Arthur Lewin Salter was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 23 May 1922 (exactly 29 years after the death of Samuel).

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