James French

1801-1871

James, his parents and siblings:

James was born on the 16^th January 1801, he was baptised on the 18^th January 1801, in Thatcham Berkshire, the son of William and Mary French (nee Lee) who were married on the 10^th October 1796, at St Mary, Thatcham.

William was an Agricultural Labourer. He was born c1770 in Shalbourne, Wiltshire. William died aged 85 in 1856, he was buried on the 15^th July, at St Mary, Thatcham.

Mary was born c1767. She died ages 77 in 1844 and was buried on the 23^rd February, at St Mary, Thatcham.

William and Mary also had the following children:

Thomas, born 17^th September 1797, baptised 24^th September 1797

Maria, born 17^th February 1799, baptised 3^rd March 1799

John, born 10^th January 1803, baptised 30^th January 1803

Elizabeth, born 21^st January 1806, baptised 9^th February 1806

Susanna/Rosanna, born January 1809, baptised 12^th February 1809

Mary Anne, born 13^th December 1811, baptised 5^th January 1812

James in later life:

James married Maria Pizzey on the 21^st November 1824, at St Mary, Thatcham, Berkshire.

(Maria Pissey was baptised in Beenham, Berkshire, in 1803, the daughter of John and Prudent Pissey (nee Prudence Wadham) who were married in Brimptom, Berkshire in 1802. Surname recorded as Pizzey at time of marriage)

James and Maria had the following children:

Lucy, c1826
Eliza, c1827

Thomas, c1829

Mary Ann, c830

James c1832

Ann, c1835

Jane, c1837

Louisa, c1839

William, c1845

The 1841 census records James (35) as an Agricultural Labourer, living in a Yard off Cheap Street, Newbury, with Maria (35) and their children, Lucy (15), Eliza (14), Mary (11), James (8), Ann (6), Jane (4) and Louisa (2).

In 1851 James (47) was again recorded as an Agricultural Labourer, he was living in Gas Lanes Buildings, Newbury, with Maria (46), James (18), Jane (13) and Louisa (11) (recorded as Lucy)

The 1861 census records James (59) as a Gardener’s Labourer, living in St Mary’s Hill, Newbury with Maria.

They were also recorded living in St Mary’s Hill in 1871. James was recorded as a Gardener in the census for this year.

James died aged 71 in 1871. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 29^th July.

Maria died aged 71 in 1873. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 15^th October.

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