Henry Purdue

1847-1855

Henry and his twin brother Fred were born on the 15^th December 1847, the sons of George and Caroline Purdue (nee Lovegrove) who were married on the 3^rd July 1838 at the parish church of Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire. Henry and Fred were baptised at St Nicolas Church Newbury. Fred was baptised on the 17^th December, he died aged 3 days old. Henry was baptised on the 18^th December.

Henry’s mother Caroline Lovegrove was born in Newbury, Berkshire, she was baptised on the 4^th September 1814 at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of John and Maria Lovegrove (nee Whiting) of Bartholomew Street, Newbury, who were married at St Nicolas Church Newbury on the 13^th August 1811. (Maria has been recorded as Keziah on Hardwicke Marriage Index and Meria on FMP marriage records).

His father George was baptised on the 3^rd January 1813 in Ludgershall, Wiltshire, the son of Joseph (an Innholder) and Hannah Purdue (nee Parsons) who were married on the 20^th October 1793 at St Nicolas Church, Newbury.

Caroline and George also had the following two sons:

George Edwin, born 30^th March 1844, baptised 31^st March 1844

John, born 8^th September 1849, baptised 28^th October 1849

The 1841 census records George (25) as a Mealman, living in Bartholomew Street, Newbury, with Caroline (25)

In 1851 George (37) was recorded as a Publican** living in Bartholomew Street, with Caroline (36), their sons, George (7), Henry (3), John (1) and three servants. (** Bricklayer’s Arms)

Henry died aged 7, on the 20^th January 1855, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 24^th January.

His mother Caroline died aged 43 on the 6^th October 1857. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 10^th October (funeral service held at St Nicolas Church, Newbury)

George remarried on the 21^st August 1858. HIs 2^nd wife was Mary Ann Holley.

The 1861 census records George (49) as a Publican, living in Bartholomew Street, with Mary Ann (40), his sons George (17), a Gunmaker’s Apprentice, John (12), Mary Ann’s nephew George Holly (17), a Sailor and a servant.

George died on the 23^rd June 1866. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 26^th June (funeral service held at St Nicolas Church, Newbury) (age at death recorded as 54 on the GRO)

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