Joshua Seward (1847 – 1894)

Joshua Seward was born in 1847 in Kingsclere, the son of George and Ann, nee Harmsworth, Seward. He was baptized on 7 November 1847 at St Paul in Ashford Hill when George and Ann were recorded living in Kingsclere Woodlands with George a labourer.

In the 1851 census Joshua was recorded living with his grandparents John and Mary Harmsworth at Wolverton near Kingsclere. John was aged 80 and formerly an agricultural labourer.

Ten years later in the 1861 census Joshua was living as a servant in Wolverton and his occupation was carter boy.

Joshua was recorded in Citadel Barracks, Western Heights, Hougham, Dover in Kent in the 1871 census. He was a private in the 67^th foot (South Hampshire Regiment).

It appears Joshua signed up for the Army in 1871 and stayed until he was discharged as a private on 28 December 1883 having served for 12 years and 135 days.

Joshua then reenlisted in the Hampshire Regiment on 16 December 1884 in Winchester and he continued in service until 27 May 1893 as a private. His address was recorded as Wolverton near Kingsclere. At the time he reenlisted he was working as a labourer for Mr. Parrott in Basingstoke. According to the Army records he was 5 foot 5 ¾ inches with blue eyes and brown hair.

There is no trace of Joshua in the 1881 and 1891 censuses, if he was serving in the Army abroad at the time of the censuses then he would not have been recorded.

Joshua died on 5 January 1894 at Newbury Union Workhouse and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 8 January. He was recorded as being aged 50 but it appears he was only 47. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News of 11 January 1894 as below.

SEWARD – Jan. 5, at the Workhouse, Newbury, Joshua Seward, aged 50.

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