Mary Jane Hancock (1868 – 1899)

Jane New was born in 1868 in Newbury, the daughter of John and Helen, nee Thorn, New. Although her name on birth was registered as Jane she used the name Mary Jane, she was recorded as Mary Jane on her marriage and death.

In the 1871 and 1881 censuses Mary was recorded living with her parents and siblings in Newbury, in 1871 in Old Road and in 1881 in Shrewsbury Terrace. Her father John was recorded as an annuitant from the police in 1871 and a pedlar in 1881.

Mary married Walter Philip Hancock in early 1891. Walter was born in 1867 in Hungerford.

Just a few weeks after their marriage in the 1891 census Walter and Mary were recorded living in Bartholomew Cottages, Wash Road in Newbury. Walter was working as a chemical porter.

Walter and Mary had six children, all born in Newbury, Walter Philip (1892), Frederick Charles (1893), Florence Ellen (1894), Alfred Leonard (1895), Emily Caroline (1896) and Mary Jane (1899).

The youngest child Mary Jane was born on 25 August 1899 at 1 Prospect Place in Newbury. Sadly, her mother Mary Jane died a few days later on 7 September at the same address and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 9 September. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 14 September 1899 as below.

HANCOCK – Sep. 7, at 1 Prospect Place, Newbury, the dearly beloved wife of Walter P. Hancock, aged 30 years.

Walter remarried in 1902 to his sister-in-law Rose Ann Moss. He continued to live in Newbury and died on 2 July 1941 while living at 2 Denmark Road in Newbury and working as a caretaker. He was buried at Shaw Cemetery on 5 July 1941.

Mary’s daughter Emily Caroline married Frederick Charles Seward in 1919 and was buried in Newtown Road Cemetery on 6 May 1920.

Sources: