John Samuels (1792 – 1873)

                                    Clara Samuels (1839 – 1874)

John Samuels was born circa 1792 in Newbury. He married Jane Andrews on 3 June 1816 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Jane was born circa 1798.

John and Jane had 15 children all baptized at St Nicolas in Newbury, George (1817), Henry (1818), Caroline (1820), George Samuel (1823), Charles (1825), Harriet Ann (1827), John (1831), Thomas (1833), Esther (1834), Mary Ann (1836), Clara (1838), Clara (1839), Henry (1842), Eliza (1846) and Emma (1846). Sadly, five of the children died as infants and were buried at St Nicolas, George (in 1817), John (1836), Clara (baptized in 1838 and buried in 1839), Henry (1842) and Emma (1850). John was recorded as a labourer in all the baptisms.

In the 1841 census John and Jane were recorded with children Charles, Jane, Esther, Mary Ann and Clara living at Stillman Yard in Newbury. John was recorded as a labourer.

Jane died in November 1848 aged 50 and was buried at St Nicolas in Newbury on 22 November.

Subsequently in the 1851 census John was recorded with daughters Esther, Mary Ann and Clara living at Cumbers Yard off Cheap Street in Newbury with John working as a labourer.

On 3 October 1853 Clara appeared before the county bench and charged with Harriet Appleton of stealing 22 turnips worth 6d from an open field in Greenham. They were found guilty and fined 6d the value of the parsnips plus 6s for the offence and 8s 6d costs or in default 14 days in Reading gaol. Harriet paid the fine but Clara was committed.

Eight years later in the 1861 census John was recorded with his daughter Clara living at Chubs Yard off Bartholomew Street in Newbury with John working as a drover and Clara a servant but not working.

In the 1871 census John and his daughter Clara living in The City in Newbury with John working as a labourer and Clara a charwoman.

John died on 18 March 1873 at Newbury Union Workhouse and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 20 March.

Clara died almost exactly a year later on 19 March 1874 also in Newbury Union Workhouse and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 23 March. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 26 March 1874 as below.

SAMUELS – March 19, at Union Workhouse, Newbury, Clara Samuels, aged 35.

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