Mary Maria Parfitt

1841-1916

Mary Maria was born on the 5^th April 1841 in Avington, Hampshire. She was baptised on the 16^th August 1841, in Avington, the daughter of Edmund and Maria Parfitt (nee Mitchell) who were married on the 11^th June 1840, in Mere, Wiltshire.

Edmund and Maria also had the following three children baptised in Avington (dad recorded as a Farmer on all baptism records)

Sarah Jane born 12^th April 1843, baptised 10^th May 1843

Edmund Mitchell, 25^th January 1845 (died aged 1 in 1846)

Emily Helena, born 12^th October 1846, baptised (as Emma Eleanor) 10^th November 1846

and

Eliza Richards, born 2^nd November 1849, baptised 19^th January 1853 in Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire.

Edmund, born 19^th January, baptised 20^th January 1852, in Longbridge Deverill

The 1851 census records Edmund (36), a Farmer of 920 acres, employing 36 Labourers, Maria (36) their children, Sarah Jane (7), Emily Helena (4), Eliza Richards (1), a nephew, Paul Mitchell (6) and two House Servants, living in Longbridge Deverill, Warminster, Wiltshire. Mary (9) was recorded as a Pupil, at Manor House School, Beckington, Somerset.

In 1861 Mary (19) was recorded living in Longbridge Deverill, with her father Edmund (47), a Farmer of 1000 acres, employing 26 men and 9 boys, her mother Maria (47), her cousin Edward Parfitt (19) and two House Servants.

In 1871 Mary (29) was as a Schoolmistress at the Abbey Ladies School, Frome Road, Beckington, Somerset. Her sister Sarah (27) was also working as a School Mistress at the school. Also recorded at the school were her father Edmund (56), a Brewer and Spirit Merchant, her mother Maria (56), her sister Emily (26), fourteen female scholars, a Governess and two Domestic Servants.

The 1881 census records Edmund (67), a Wine and Spirit Merchant and Maria (67), living at the Abbey School with their daughters, Mary (49), Principal of the School, Sarah (46), also Principal of the School, Emily (44), a Professor of Music, Eliza (42), Instructress of School

Mary’s father Edmund died aged 70 on the 31^st January 1884 at the Abbey School.

In 1891 Mary was again recorded as a Principal of the Abbey School.

Her mother Maria died aged 82 in 1895.

In 1901 Mary (56) and her sister Sarah (54) were again recorded as Principals of the Abbey School.  Also recorded at the school were 62 Pupils, 11 Governesses, a Matron, 3 Ladies Helps, 2 Housemaids and a Kitchen Maid.

The 911 census records Mary (69) living on her own means, at Borning Villa, Priory Road, Newbury, Berkshire. He nephew Ronald Noel Haine (18) a Brewer’s Pupil (son of her sister Eliza Richards and her husband William Joseph Haine) and a Domestic Servant were also recorded living with her.

Mary Maria died aged 75 on the 7^th October 1916. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 11^th October. (Her sister Sarah Jane Haine was laid to rest with Mary Maria on the 21^st October 1922)

Mrs P   Page 148    Code LS(H) 9

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