Benjamin Weller

c1822-1898

Benjamin was baptised in 1822 in Reading, Berkshire, the son of Joseph and Sophia Weller (nee Hibbard) who were married in 1818 in Reading.

Joseph and Sophia also had the following children baptised in Reading:

Elizabeth, 1819

Joseph, 1820

Emma, 1825

Harriet, 1828

Charles, 1831

Henry, 1835

Benjamin married in 1848

Marriage details:
Place: St Nicolas Church, Newbury

Date: 24^th June 1848

Groom: Benjamin Weller, full age, bachelor, occupation, Whitesmith, abode, Newbury

Bride: Rachel Robbins, aged 20, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: Joseph Weller, a Tinman & Brazer and Thomas Robbins, a Dealer

Witnesses: George Robbins and Harriet Weller

(Rachel was baptised in 1829 in Bucklebury, Berkshire, the daughter of Thomas and Harriett Robbins (nee Pocock) who were married in Bucklebury in 1818)

Benjamin and Rachel had the following children:

Eliza, c1849 (baptised aged 12 on 3^rd May 1861, at St Nicolas, Newbury)

Sidney, 1850

Ernest, 1856

Kate Sophia, 1858

Harriett Alice, 1872 (baptised 4^th August 1872, at St Nicolas, Newbury)

In 1851 Benjamin (28) was recorded as a Journeyman Blacksmith, living in Golding’s Yard, Greenham, Berkshire, with Rachel (23) and their children Eliza (2) and Sidney (3 months).

The 1861 census records Benjamin (39) as a Whitesmith, living in Greenham with Rachel (31) and their children, Eliza (12), Sidney (10), Ernest (5) and Kate Sophia (2).

By 1871 the family were living at 8 Victoria Place, Newbury. Benjamin (48) was again recorded as a Whitesmith when the census for this year was taken.

Benjamin was widowed in 1876, Rachel died aged 48, on the 21^st April, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 24^th April.

Benjamin remarried in 1879

Marriage details:
Place: St Nicolas Church Newbury

Date: 1^st June 1879

Groom: Benjamin Weller, full age, widower, occupation, Whitesmith, abode, Newbury

Bride: Mary Morris, full age, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: William Morris, a Blacksmith and Joseph Weller, a Tinman

Witnesses: Rachel Weller and Sidney Weller

(Mary was baptised on the 17^th April 1825, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, Berkshire, the daughter of William and Mary Morris (nee Matthews) who were married on the 1^st August 1814, at St Nicolas).

Benjamin was widowed again the following year. Mary died aged 55 on the 8^th February 1880, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 13^th February.

The 1881 census records Benjamin (68) as a Whitesmith, he was living at 8 Victoria Place, with his married son Sidney (30) a General Smith, his daughter-in-law, Rachel, his grandson, Ernest (9) and his daughter Alice (8) (Harriett Alice)

Benjamin remarried on the 23^rd October 1882, at St Leonard’s Church Wallingford. His 3^rd wife was Eliza Parker.

The 1891 census records Benjamin (70) as being blind, he was recorded as a General Labourer, living at 10 Church Almshouses, Newtown Road, Newbury with Eliza (66)

Benjamin died aged 75 on the 8^th January 1898. He was laid to rest in a private grave in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 11^th January

Mrs P   Page 80   Code NCh(B) 13

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