Joseph Salter (1791 – 1875)

Joseph Salter was born circa 1791 in Newbury, the son of John and Martha, nee Pierce, Salter. His parents had married on 26 May 1877 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Joseph was baptized on 9 October 1791 at St Nicolas.

Joseph’s mother Martha died when Joseph was still an infant and she was buried at St Nicolas in Newbury on 2 June 1795 aged 39. His father John was buried at St Nicolas on 23 January 1829 aged 78 and recorded as an almsman.

In the 1841 census Joseph was recorded in Newbury Union Workhouse and his occupation was an agricultural labourer. He was still in the Workhouse 10 years later in the 1851 census with an occupation of ostler recorded.

There is no trace of Joseph in the 1861 census. However, in 1861 a list of all inmates who had been living in Workhouses for over 5 years was compiled. Joseph was recorded as being in Newbury Workhouse for 19 years and the reason given was infirmity from accident. Unfortunately, no details of the accident are known, nothing was recorded in the local papers at the time.

Ten years later in the 1871 census Joseph was still in Newbury Union Workhouse as an infirm inmate. His occupation was a labourer at gas works.

Joseph died 19 February 1875 in Newbury Union Workhouse and he was buried on 22 February at Newtown Road Cemetery. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 25 February as below.

SALTER – Feb. 19, at the Union Workhouse, Newbury, Joseph Salter, aged 86.

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