Elizabeth Keep

c1824-1910

Elizabeth was born in Bagnor, Berkshire, she was baptised on the 19^th September 1824 at St Mary the Virgin, Speen, Berkshire the base born daughter of Hannah Church of Bagnor. (Hannah Church also had at least two other illegitimate children, Joseph born c1810 and John born in Bagnor and baptised on the 3^rd January 1815 at St Mary the Virgin Spreen)

In 1841 Elizabeth (15) was working as a Female Servant, living in Golding’s Yard, Greenham, Berkshire, with her mother Hannah Church, a Washerwoman, and her brothers Joseph Church (25) and a John Church (20).

Elizabeth married Francis Freeman in 1851 (marriage registered in Newbury)

(Francis was a Wheelwright and Carpenter. He was baptised on the 17^th January 1825 in Greenham, Berkshire, the son of Benjamin and Frances Freeman (nee Cooper), who were married on the 27^th December 1813, in Pangbourne, Berkshire).

Francis and Elizabeth had the following children:

Mary Ann 1852

Sarah 1854

James 1856

Fanny 1858

Elizabeth c1861

Jane 1863

Eliza 1868

The 1861, 1871 and 1881 census records record the family living in Stroud, Green Greenham, Berkshire, as follows:

1861: Francis (36), Elizabeth (36), Mary Ann (8), Sarah (6), James (4), Fanny (2) and Elizabeth (2 months).

1871:  Francis (46), Elizabeth (46), James (14), Fanny (12), Elizabeth (10), Jane (7) and Eliza (5).

1881: Francis Freeman (56), Elizabeth (56), and Eliza (13)

Elizabeth was widowed in 1888, Francis died aged 63, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 10^th September.

Elizabeth remarried in 1891. Her 2^nd husband was John Keep, a widower.

(John was baptised on the 31^st March 1833 in Chieveley, Berkshire, the son of George and Elizabeth Keep (nee Chapman) who were married on the 26^th July 1830 in Chieveley, Berkshire. John married Rachel Davis in 1854, they had 4 children, Mary Jane Davis, born 1852 before they married, William born 1854, John born 1864 and Leonard George born c1868. Rachel died in 1870. John remarried in 1873. His second wife was Louisa Phillips, Louisa died in 1890)

In 1891 John (58) was recorded as a Wharfinger, living at Weighbridge House, Wharf Road, Newbury, with Elizabeth (63).

The 1901 census records John (68), as a Canal Porter living in Wharf Road, Newbury with and Elizabeth (75).

Elizabeth died aged 85, on the 8^th April 1910, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 13^th  April. (Her daughter Elizabeth Vaughan was buried with her in 1913)

Her husband John died aged 83, on the 26^th April 1916, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 29^th April, with his 1^st wife Louisa (buried in 1890)

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