Clara Orchard

1869-1951

Clara, her parents, sibling and early life:

Clara was born in Combe, Hampshire, she was baptised on the 25^th April 1869 in Combe, the daughter of George (a Labourer) and Sarah Mackrell (nee Woods) who were married in 1847 (marriage registered in Hungerford).

Her father George was an Agricultural Labourer, he was born in Combe, Hampshire and was baptised on the 17^th June 1817 in Combe, the son of Thomas (a Labourer) and Sarah Makerel (nee Harding) who were married in 1802 in Combe. George died aged 67 in 1885 (death registered in Kingsclere)

Her mother Sarah was baptised on the 1^st July 1821 in Buttermere, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Wood. Sarah died aged 55 in 1878, (death registered in Hungerford)

Clara’s siblings were:

William 1848

Elizabeth Ann 1850

Hannah Maria c1853 (died c1853)

Hannah c1855

Charles c1858

In 1871 Clara (2) was living in Combe, Hampshire with her parents George (50) and Sarah (47) and her brother William (23).

The 1881 census records Clara (12) living in Westridge, East Woodhay, Hampshire, with her widowed father George (62), a Farm Carter, and her brothers, William (32), an Agricultural Labourer, and Charles (23), a Poultry Dealer.

Clara in later life:

Clara married William Orchard (marriage registered in the March quarter 1891, in Newbury)

(William was born in Micheldever, Hampshire, the son of John and Eliza Orchard (nee Oram) who were married on the 14^th December 1844 in Overton Hampshire).

William and Clara had the following children (all born in Newbury):

Rupert c1890

Arthur John 1891

Clara Eleanor 1893

William George 1896

Twins: Kate Elizabeth and Cyril James 1898

The 1891 census records William (25) as a Carman, living at 4 Brixton Rise, (off Cheap Street) Newbury, with Clara (24) and their son Rupert (1)

In 1901 William (36) a Railway Carman, Clara (34), Arthur (9), Clara (7), William (4) and the twins, Kate and Cyril (2), were living at 7, Chestnut Court, Newbury.

The 1911 census records William (45) as a Carter for Pickfords Ltd (General Carrier), living at 1, Holly Bank Terrace, Kings Road, Newbury, with Clara (44) and their children Arthur (19), a Butcher’s Assistant, Clara (17), William (15), a Boot Repairer, Kate (12) and James (12).

William died aged 56, on the 28^th December 1921, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 31^st December.

By 1948 Clara was living at 9 Upper Raymond’s Almshouses Newbury.

She died aged 82, on the 21^st June 1951 and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery, with her husband William, on the 25^th June.

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