William Morris

c1790-1855

William was a Blacksmith. He was baptised on the 29^th August 1790, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Morris (nee Eells) who were married on the 17^th May 1774 at St Nicolas, Newbury.

William’s father Benjamin was baptised on the 23^rd Februa1755, at St Nicolas, the son of Benjamin and Mary Morris (nee Pool) who were married on the 24^th December 1752, at St Nicolas. Benjamin died in 1800

His mother Elizabeth Ells was baptised on the 26^th August 1751, at St Nicolas, the daughter of William and Mary Eeles (nee Lidiat) who were married on the 7^th March 1749, at St Nicolas Newbury (William was from Highclere). Elizabeth died in 1839

Benjamin and Elizabeth also had the following children baptised at St Nicolas, Newbury:

Benjamin, 23^rd May 1776

Mary, 4^th May 1778

Sally, 10^th June 1782

James, 17^th April 1885

Nanny, 2^nd November 1794

William married Mary Matthews on the 1^st August 1814, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury.

(Mary Matthews was baptised on the 5^th October 1794, in Newtown, Hampshire, the daughter of George and Edyth/Edith Matthews (nee Keens) who were married on the 19^th April 1791, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury. Surname recorded as Mathews at time of marriage).

William and Mary had the following children baptised at St Nicolas Church, Newbury:

William, 21^st October 1814

Benjamin, 12^th January 1817

Edith, 25^th April 1819

Charles, 23^rd September 1821

George, 15^th February 1824

Mary, 17^th April 1825

Eliza Ann, 15^th July 1827

Elizabeth, 6^th December 1829

Henry Philip, 11^th March 1832

Michael, 17^th November 1833

Thomas, 7^th August 1836

Cornelius James, born 1839 (no baptism found)

In 1815 William (23), a Founder, Mary (22) and their son William (an infant) were recorded living in Moss’s Yard, in the City, Newbury, Berkshire.

In 1841 William (50), Mary (45), Charles (20), a Gardener’s Apprentice, Mary (15), Elizabeth (12), Michael (8), Thomas (5) and Cornelius James (2), were recorded living in Newtown Road, Newbury.

The 1851 census records William (59), Mary (57), Michael (17), a Tin Plate Maker, Thomas (14), a Brush Maker and James (12) (Cornelius James), living in Old Newtown Road, Newbury.

William died aged 64 on the 4^th February 1855. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 9^th February.

The 1861 census records Mary (66), living in Church Almshouses, Newbury. Her son Thomas (27), a Journeyman Brush Maker was living with her.

In 1871 Mary (76) was recorded living in Church Almshouses, Newbury, her widowed daughter Edith Briggs was recorded living with her.

Mary died aged 80 on the 22^nd April 1874, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery, with her husband William, on the 27^th April.

William and Mary ‘s daughter Mary married Benjamin Weller in 1879, she died the following year aged 55 and was laid to rest with them on the 13^th February 1880.

Mrs P    Page 46    Code W(A)79

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