Mary French

c1876-1937

Mary was born in Horningsham, Wiltshire. She was baptised on the 12^th May 1876 in Horningsham, the daughter of George and Mary French (nee Baxter) who were married on the 23^rd May 1863, at All Saints Church, Knightsbridge, Westminster, Middlesex.

Mary’s mother Mary was baptised on the 4^th September 1840, in Kensington, Middlesex, the daughter of Benjamin (a Boot Maker) and Mary Baxter, of Newland Terrace. Her parents Benjamin and Mary (nee Taylor) were married on the 6^th July 1829, at St Martin in the Fields, Middlesex.

Mary’s father George was baptised on the 6^th July 1834 in Lichfield, Staffordshire, the son of George (a Servant) and Sarah French of Sanford Street. His parents George and Sarah (nee Plant) were married on the 1^st September 1831 at St Mary, Lichfield. (George was from Thorpe Constantine, Derbyshire).

Mary’s siblings were:

Sarah Jane, c1864, St George, Hanover Square

George Benjamin, 1866, St George, Hanover Square

Katherine, c1869, Warminster, Wiltshire

Henry James, 1871, St George, Hanover Square

Elizabeth, c1873, St George, Hanover Square

John, 1877, Warminster, Wiltshire

Lawrence Alexander, 1884, Warminster, Wiltshire

Mary’s father was a Coachman. In 1861 he was recorded working for The Right Honorable Lord Willoughby at Grimsthorpe Castle, Edenham, Lincolnshire. By 1871 he was working as a Coachman for John Thynne, the 4^th Marquess of Bath, at Longleat, Wiltshire.

The 1881 census records Mary (5), living with her mother Mary (40) and her siblings, George (14), Catherine (12), Henry (10), Elizabeth (8) and John (3), at Longleat Stables. Her father George (47) was recorded at Hays Mews, St George, Hanover Square, along with many other Servants.

The 1891 census records Mary (15) living at the Coachman’s House, Longleat, with George (56), Mary (50), Elizabeth (18), John (13) and Lawrence (6).

In 1901 Mary (25) was recorded living at Longleat Stable Yard, with George (66), Mary (60) and John (23), a Domestic Coachman.

Mary’s mother died aged 66 in 1907.  She was buried on the 5^th February in Horningsham.

Mary’s father died aged 73 on the 14^th February 1908. He was buried on the 18^th February in Horningsham. Probate Effects: £1514 17s 7d

The 1911 census records Mary (35) living with her brother John (33), in Longleat Stables, Horningsham. John was now working as Head Coachman at Longleat.

Mary died aged 61 on the 4^th April 1937, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th April.

Probate: FRENCH Mary of 32 Gloucester-road Newbury Berkshire spinster died 4^th April 1937 at 214 Newtown-road Newbury Administration Oxford 4^th May to Katherine Burton widow. Effects: £283 12s 8d.

Mrs P    Page 91    Code NCh (K) 38

Sources: