William French

1858-1859

William was born in Newbury, Berkshire (birth registered in the December quarter 1858). He was baptised on the 17^th January 1859, at St Nicolas Church Newbury, the son of James and Ann French (nee (Harris) who were married c1856.

William died aged 4 months, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 29^th January 1859.

William’s family:

His father James was a Labourer/Bricklayer’s Labourer. He was baptised on the 2^nd September 1832 in Thatcham Berkshire, the son of James and Maria French (nee Pizzey) who were married on the 21^st November 1824, at St Mary, Thatcham.

His mother Ann was baptised on the 6^th January 1828, at St Nicolas Church Newbury, the daughter of William and Martha Harris (nee Andrews) who were married in 1826, in Greenham, Berkshire.                                                                                                                         Ann married Elijah Harris on the 22^nd August 1844, at St Nicolas, Newbury.

William’s half-siblings were (all baptised at St Nicolas Church):

Israel, baptised 27^th October 1844 (born 11^th September 1844, dad a Labourer)

Emily Jane, baptised 31^st October 1847 (born 13^th April 1847, dad a Labourer)

Mary Ann, baptised 26^th August 1849 (born 19^th July 1849, dad a Bargeman).

Harriett Maria, baptised 31^st August 1851 (born 5^th August 1851, dad a Bargeman)

In 1851 Elijah (28), a Bargeman, Ann (24) and their children, Israel (6), Emily Jane (3) and Mary Ann (1), were recorded living in Mayor’s Lane, Newbury, Berkshire.

Elijah died aged 28 in 1851, he was buried on the 7^th December at St Michael and All Angels, Enborne, Berkshire.

Ann Harris (nee Harris) married William’s father, James French in 1856 (marriage registered in the March quarter, in Newbury)

William’s full siblings were (all baptised at St Nicolas):

Jane Maria, 7^th March 1861

Louisa Maria, 18^th June 1862 (born 15^th April 1856)

James William, 12^th April 1865

Ellen, 5^th April 1868

The 1861 census records James (25), Ann (33), Mary Ann (11) (surname recorded as French, born Harris) Louisa Maria (4) and Jane Maria (2 months) living in Bradley’s Yard, Cheap Street, Newbury.

In 1871 James (38), Ann (47), Mary Ann Harriss (22) a Charwoman, Louisa (15), Jane (11), James (6) and Ellen (3), were recorded living in Robeson’s Yard, Newbury.

Ann died aged 52 on the 13^th July 1879. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 18^th July.

James remarried a couple of months after Ann died.

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas Newbury

Date: 28^th September 1879

Groom: James French, full age, widower, occupation, Labourer, abode, Newbury

Bride: Eliza Young, full age, widow, abode, Newbury

Fathers: James French, a Labourer and Thomas Crofts, a Hairdresser

Witnesses: John R Stillman and Sarah Stillman

The 1881, 1891 and 1901 census records record James and Eliza living at 1 Quakers Burial Ground, Newbury. In 1881 Ellen (13) was living with them

By 1911 they were living at 14 Church Almshouses, Newtown Road, Newbury. Joseph was recorded as Formerly a Plasterer

Eliza died in 1914 (age at death recorded as 86). She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 4^th July.

James died aged 85 in the Newbury Infirmary, in 1917. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 25^th October.

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