Bertha Mary Piddington

c1866-1934

Bertha, her parents, siblings and early life:

Bertha Mary was baptised on the 29^th April 1866 in Hungerford, Berkshire, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Davis (nee May) who were married in 1860 (marriage registered in Newbury)

Her father Joseph was baptised in 1835 in Welford, Berkshire, the son of Jane Davis.

Her mother Sarah was baptised in 1834 in Inkpen, Berkshire, the daughter of James and Elizabeth May (nee Heath) who were married in Inkpen in 1827.

Joseph and Sarah also had the following children:

Joseph May born 1857 (before his parents married)

Caleb Eugene born c1861 (died 1862)

Ellen Maria born 1863

Edith Jane born 1870

Charles George born 1873

In 1861 Bertha’s parents were living in Benham Gate, Welford, Berkshire, with their sons Joseph (4) and Caleb (2 months). Joseph and Sarah were working as a Toll Collectors.

The 1871 census records Joseph (37) a Labourer, Sarah (37), Joseph (13), Ellen (8), Bertha (5) and Edith (8 months), living in Shaw’s Lane, Newbury.

By 1881 the family had moved to West Mills, Newbury. Joseph was still working as a Labourer. Only their children Joseph (24) a Groom, Edith (10) and Charles (7) were still living at home. Bertha (14) was working as a Domestic Servant in Greenham Street, Newbury, for a Thomas Hawkins (33) and his family.

Bertha in later life:

Bertha married William John Piddington in 1885 (marriage registered in Newbury)

(William John was born in Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Amos (a Carpenter) and Anne Piddington (nee Adams) who were married in 1866 (marriage registered in Newbury)

William and Bertha had the following children (all births registered in Newbury):

William John born 1885 (died aged 31 on the 29^th July 1916 in France in WW1)

Charles Arthur Owen born 1888 (died aged 8 months in 1889, buried Newtown Road Cemetery on the 13^th April).

Ethel Maud born 1890

Stillborn child born 1894 (buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 30^th May)

Arthur James born 1895 (died aged 0 in 1896, buried in the NRC on the 7^th March)

Alfred James born c1897 (died aged 14 in 1911, buried in the NRC on the 16^th March)

Sarah Annie born c1900

In 1891 William (24) was working as a Carpenter, he was living at 2 Craven Court, Newbury, with Bertha (24) and their children, William (5) and Ethel (11months).

The 1901 census records William (35) working as a Wood Moulding Sawyer at a Joinery Works, living at 4 Albert Road, Newbury, with Bertha (36) and their children, William (15), Maud (12), Alfred (4) and Annie (1).

In 1911 William (44) was recorded as a Carpenter, living at 1 Albert Terrace, Albert Road, Newbury, with Bertha (45) and their daughter Sarah Annie (11).

William John Piddington died aged 48, on the 9^th June 1915, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 12^th June.

Bertha Mary Piddington died aged 69, on the 24^th February 1934, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 1^st March. (Abode at time of death, 57 Camp Close, Newbury)

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