Caleb Griffiths

1843-1922

Caleb. his parents, siblings and early life:

Caleb was born in Newbury, Berkshire, he was baptised on the 29^th October 1843, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the son of William and Mary Griffiths (nee Powers) who were married on the 17^th October 1824 at St Mary Thatcham Berkshire.

William and Mary also had the following children (baptisms: St Nicolas Church Newbury):

Edward baptised 25^th September 1825

William baptised 8^th July 1827

Jannet c1830 (no baptism found)

Ham baptised 28^th August 1831 (died in Malta in 1855)

Thomas baptised 18^th May 1834

Lancelot baptised 30th June 1837

Ruth bornc1839 (no baptism found)

Mary born 1841 baptised 29^th October 1843 with her brother Caleb

Paul born c1845 (no baptism found)

Jane born c1848 (no baptism found, died aged 5 in 1853, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 30^th March)

Samuel William born 1850 (no baptism found)

Caleb’s mother Mary was born in Newbury on the 29^th January 1803, she was baptised on the 2^nd February 1803 at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Powers (nee Dod) who were married on the 17^th March 1787 at St Mary the Virgin Speen Berkshire. Mary died aged 53 in 1856, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 2^nd January 1857.

His father William was a Coachsmith. He was baptised in 1803 at Shaw-cum-Donnington, Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Edward and Mary Griffith(s) (nee Wild) who were married on the 24th June 1799 at St Nicolas Church Newbury. William died aged 68 in 1871. He was laid to rest (as William Edward Griffiths) in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 25^th November.

The 1841 census records William (35), Mary (35), Edward (15), William (13), Jannet (11), Ham (9), Thomas (7), Lancelot (5), Ruth (2) and Mary (1 month), living in Northcroft Lane, Newbury.

In 1851 William (48), a Coachsmith, employing 3 men, Mary (48), Ham (19), a Coachsmith, Thomas (17), an Apprentice Coachsmith, Samuel (14), a Shoemaker’s Apprentice, Ruth (12), Mary (10), Caleb (9), Paul (6), Jane (3) and Samuel (9 months), were living in the Old Cattle Market, Newbury.

William was widowed in 1856.

He remarried in 1858. His 2^nd wife was Mary Ann Lipscomb(e).  (Mary Ann was baptised 6th April 1828 at St Nicolas Church Newbury the daughter of William and Mary Ann Lipscomb(e) nee Crumpton. William and Mary Ann had the following three children: Frederick William c1859, Ann Matilda c1861 and Edwin 1862.

The 1861 census records William (56) as a Master Coachsmith, living in the Old Cattle Market, Newbury, with his 2^nd wife Mary (35), Caleb (19), a Journeyman Coachsmith, Paul (17), a Cordwainer’s Apprentice, Samuel (10), Frederick (2) and Ann (3months).

Caleb in later life:

Caleb married Susan Read in 1865 (marriage registered in Newbury)

(Susan(nah) Read was born in 1842 (birth registered in Wantage) the daughter of John and Maria Read(e) (nee Brooks) who were married on the 6^th May 1826 at St Mary and St Nicholas, Compton, Berkshire).

Caleb and Susan had the following children:

Caleb born 1866 (died aged 25 in 1891, buried in the NRC on the 29^th May)

Thomas born 1867 (died aged 20 in 1888, buried in the NRC on the 18^th May)

Kate born 1868

Janet born 1870

Henry born 1872 (died aged 3 weeks, buried in the NRC on the 27^th February 1872)

Susan Maria born c1873

Henry born 1875 (died aged 2, buried in the NRC on the 19^th May 1877)

John born 1876 (died aged 1 months, buried in the NRC on the 29^th November)

Walter born 1877

Alfred born 1880 (died aged 37 in 1917, buried in the NRC on the 26^th September)

Jessie born 1882

In 1871 Caleb (29), a Journeyman Coachsmith, Susan (28), Caleb (5), Thomas (3), Kate (2) and Janet (1), were recorded living in the Old Cattle Market, Newbury.

By 1881 Caleb (39), a General Smith, Susan (36), Caleb (15) a Smith’s Assistant, Thomas (14), a Smith’s Assistant, Kate (11), Janet (10), Susan (8), Walter (3) and Alfred (1), were living at 131 Bartholomew Street, Newbury.

Susan died aged 45 on the 2^nd March 1891, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th March.

The 1891 census records Caleb (48) as a Coach Builder, living with his children, Caleb (25), Jane(t) (20), Susan (18), Walter (12), Alfred (9) and Jessie (7), living at 131 Batholomew Street.

Caleb remarried in 1893, his 2^nd wife was Eliza Newman.

(Eliza was baptised on the 17^th April 1853 at St May the Virgin, Marlborough, the illegitimate daughter of Hannah Newman).

Eliza died aged 46 on the 3^rd November 1898, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th November.

Caleb married again in 1900, in Croydon, his 3^rd wife was Sophia Theresa Phillips (nee Slay) a widow.

 (Sophia was born in 1848 in Reading, Berkshire, the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Rebecca Slay (nee Knight) who were married in 1836, in Reading, Berkshire (Eliza Rebecca was recorded as Rebecca at time of marriage).

The 1901 census records Caleb (58) as a Game/Poultry Dealer and Greengrocer, living at 130, Bartholomew Street, with Sophia (52) and his sons, Walter (23) and Alfred (20), both Market Gardeners and his daughter Jessie (18), a Draper’s Shop Assistant.

Caleb (69), Sophia (62) and Alfred (30) were still living at 130 Bartholomew Street in 1911. Caleb was again recorded as a Greengrocer and Game Dealer. Alfred was again recorded as a Market Gardener in the census for this year.

Caleb died aged 79 on the 21^st February 1922, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery with his 2^nd wife, Eliza (buried 1898) on the 25^th February.

Sophia died aged 81 in 1929 (death registered in Kingsclere)

Probate: GRIFFITHS Caleb of 5 Hampstead-terrace Pound-street Newbury Berkshire died 21^st February 1922 Probate London 11^th March to William James Gallop police inspector. Effects: £830 9s 5d

Mrs P    Page 84    Code NCh(G) 10

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