Sarah Walker

1850-1851

Sarah’s birth was registered in Reading Berkshire in the December quarter 1850. She was the illegitimate daughter of Esther Walker.

Sarah’s mother Esther was born on the 2^nd July 1823 in Newbury, Berkshire, she was baptised on the 31^st August 1823 at the Lower Meeting House (Independent), Newbury, the daughter of Joseph (a Weaver) and Sarah Walker (nee Poole) who were married on the 22^nd September 1806 at St Mary, Reading, Berkshire.

Esther also had an illegitimate son, John Faithful Walker, whose birth was registered in the June quarter 1849, in Reading Berkshire. He was baptised aged 4 years old, (as John) on the 15^th April 1853 at St Giles, Reading. John died soon after he was baptised, he was buried on the 22^nd April 1853, at the London Road Cemetery, Reading.

The 1851 census records Sarah (5 months), her mother Esther (27), a Servant Out of Place and her brother John (2), lodging at 6 Katesgrove Lane, Reading, Berkshire.

Sarah died aged 1 in the Newbury Workhouse in 1851, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 17^th November.

Sarah’s family after her death:

Esther married John Simmons in 1858, marriage registered in the December quarter, in Reading.

John and Esther had the following children (all born in Reading):

Sarah born 1859

Twins: Martha and Mary born 1861 (Martha died aged 3 in 1864, buried 23^rd October, in London Road Cemetery Reading)

Esther Jane born c1863

Georgina Elizabeth born c1866

The 1861 census records John (33) an Agricultural Labourer, Esther (38), Sarah (16 months) and a visitor Mary Walker (33), (Esther’s sister) living at 44 London Street, Reading.

John (40), a Market Gardener and Esther (43), were again recorded living at 44 London Street in 1871, with their children, Sarah (11), Mary (9), Esther (8), Georgina (5) and a nurse child aged 5 months.

The 1881 census records John (50) as a Factory Labourer, living at 2 Fountain Court, Reading, with Esther (57), Mary (19), a Factory Labourer and Georgina (16).

Esther was widowed in 1881, John Simmons died aged 51, he was buried on the 10^th September, in the London Rodd Cemetery, Reading.

In 1891 Esther (67) was recorded living at 3 Fountian Court, London Street, Reading, her daughter Mary, a Baker at a Biscuit Factory, was recorded living with her.

The 1901 census records Esther (78) living at 4 Queen’s Cottages, Sidmouth Street, Reading. Her daughters Sarah (40), a Shop Assistant, Mary (38), a Bread Maker in a Biscuit Factory and her granddaughter Constance Simmons (7) were recorded living with her.

Esther died aged 80 in 1904, she was buried on the 3^rd March at the London Road Cemetery, Reading.

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