Lucy Seward (1821 – 1892)

Lucy Seward was born in 1821 in Crookham, the daughter of Joseph and Ann, nee Hughes, Seward. She was baptized on 17 June 1821 at St Mary in Thatcham. At the time of the baptism Joseph was recorded as a servant to Mr Tull, the Tull family were major landowners in the district.

In the 1841 census Lucy was living with her father Joseph and her brother Daniel, his wife Ada and their children Henry, Mary and Susannah at West Mills in Newbury. Daniel was recorded as a labourer but no occupation was recorded for Lucy.

Ten years later in the 1851 census Lucy was recorded in Newbury Union Workhouse and her occupation was field work.

In 1861 a nationwide list of all long-term Workhouse inmates was compiled and Lucy was recorded in the list at Newbury Workhouse. She had been residing there 12 years and the reason she was unable to maintain herself was that she was an “idiot”.

Lucy was recorded living in Newbury Union Workhouse in the 1871, 1881 and 1891 censuses and in all three her occupation was recorded as charwoman.

Lucy died on 16 January 1892 aged 73 at Newbury Union Workhouse. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 20 January. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 21 January 1892 as below. There was also an announcement in the Reading Standard of 22 January 1892.

SEWARD – Jan. 16, at the Newbury Union, Lucy, daughter, of the late Joseph Seward, of Crookham Common, aged 73.

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