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John Keep
c1833-1916
John, his parents, siblings and early life:
John was baptised on the 31st March 1833 in Chieveley, Berkshire, the son of George and Elizabeth Keep (nee Chapman) who were married on the 26th July 1830 in Chieveley, Berkshire.
John’s father George was an Agricultural Labourer. He was born c1806 in Charlton, Berkshire. George died aged 69 in 1874, he was buried on the 4th January at St James, Leckhampstead.
His mother Elizabeth was born c1814 in Leckhampstead. She died aged 50 in 1864 and was buried on the 11th August, at St James, Leckhampstrad.
George and Elizabeth also had the following children:
William baptised in 1831 in Leckhampstead
Luke baptised in 1835 in Leckhampstead
George born 1838
Jane born 1841
Naomi born 1843
Martha born 1846 all births registered in Newbury
Emma born 1849
Ann born 1852
In 1841 George (30), Elizabeth (24) and their children William, (10), John (8), Luke (6), George (3) and Jane (1), were living in Chieveley, Berkshire
In 1851 John (18) was working as a Farm Servant at Row Down Farm, Peasmore, Berkshire.
John in later life:
John married Rachel Davis in 1854 (marriage registered in Newbury)
(Rachel was born in Grafton, Wiltshire. She was baptised on the 30th January 1831 in Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, the daughter of Thomas and Millicent Davies (nee Laurence) who were married on the 7th August 1820 in Great Bedwyn).
Rachel already had a daughter, Mary Jane Davis, born in 1852 before she married John.
They also had the following children:
William 1854
John 1864
Leonard George c1868
The 1861 census records John (28) as a Lock Keeper, living in Greenham Mills, Greenham, with Rachel (29) and their children, Mary (8) and William (6).
Rachel died aged 37 in 1870, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7th October.
The 1871 census records John (38) as a Wharfinger, living in Wharf Lane, Newbury, with his children, Mary (19), William (16), John (5) and Leonard (3).
John remarried in 1873. His 2nd wife was Louisa Phillips (marriage registered in Newbury)
The following appeared in the local newspaper:
Newbury Weekly News
Dated 1st January 1874
MARRIAGES: Keep-Phillips. Dec. 25, at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Newbury, by the Rev. E. Alford, Mr. John Keep to Miss Louisa Phillips, both of Newbury.
(Louisa was born in Brown Candover, Hampshire. She was baptised on the 22nd January 1829 in New Alresford Hampshire, the daughter of Phillip and Elizabeth Phillips (nee Hunt) who were married on the 12th November in Ropley, Hampshire).
The 1881 census records John (48), as a Wharfinger living in Weighbridge, Wharf Road, Newbury with Louisa (52) and his sons John (16), a Pupil Teacher and Leonard (13).
Louisa died aged 61, on the 22nd March 1890, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 25th March.
John married again in 1891 (marriage registered in Newbury). His 3rd wife was a widow, Elizabeth Freeman (nee Church)
(Elizabeth was born in Bagnor, Berkshire, she was baptised on the 19th September 1824 at St Mary the Virgin, Speen, Berkshire the base born daughter of Hannah Church of Bagnor. She married Francis Freeman in 1851 (marriage registered in Newbury). They had seven children. Francis died in 1888)
The 1891 census records John (58) as a Wharfinger, living at Weighbridge, Wharf Road, with Elizabeth (62)
In 1901 they were again recorded living in Wharf Road, John (68) was recorded as a Canal Porter.
Elizabeth died aged 85, on the 8th April 1910, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 13th April.
The 1911 census records John (78) as a retired Weighbridge Manager, he was still living in Wharf Road, his granddaughter Nellie Keep (27) was recorded living with him.
John died aged 83 on the 26th April 1916, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery with his 2nd wife Louisa, on the 29th April.
Probate: KEEP – John of The Wharf Newbury Berkshire retired wharfinger died 26th April 1916 Probate Oxford 1st June to William Keep newsagent. Effects: £109 13s
Newbury Weekly News
Dated 27th April 1916
KEEP – April 26, at the Wharf, Newbury, John Keep, aged 83 years. Funeral on Saturday, 2.30, at Newbury Cemetery.
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