Albert Collier (1849 – 1891)

                                    Matilda Collier (1855 – 1933)

Albert Collier was born in 1849 in Enborne, the son of John and Jane, nee Brown, Collier. Albert was baptized on 21 March 1851 at St Michael and All Angels in Highclere.

In the 1851, 1861 and 1871 censuses Albert was recorded with his parents and siblings in Highclere. Their address was Wash Water in 1851, Wash Farm in 1861 and Falkland Farm in 1871. Albert’s father was recorded as a farmer in all three censuses, farming between 160 & 280 acres. Albert was recorded as a farmer’s son in 1871 as was his elder brother George.

Matilda Collins was born in 1855 in Enborne, the daughter of Isaac and Harriet, nee Purton, Collins. She was baptized on 24 June 1855 at St Michael in Enborne. In the 1861 census Matilda was living with her parents and four siblings in Enborne Row, her father Isaac was an agricultural labourer. Ten years later in the 1871 census she was a servant living in Greenham and recorded as a general servant.

Albert Collier married Matilda Collins in Newbury in 1877. They had seven children, Rosa Alice (1878), Kate (1880), Lily Maud (1883), Albert John (1887), Nellie (1889), Elsie (1892) and Ida (1894). Albert was born in Highclere and the others in Enborne.

In the 1881 census Albert and Matilda with children Rosa and Kate were living in Enborne Row with Matilda’s father Isaac. Albert and Isaac were both recorded as labourers. Ten years later in the 1891 census Albert and Matilda with children Rosa, Kate, Lily and Albert were living at Mill House in Highclere. Albert was recorded as a farmer’s brother, his brother George Collier was a farmer at the neighbouring property Falkland Farm.

Just a few months after the census Albert died on 4 August 1891 in Highclere. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 9 August. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 13 August as below.

COLLIER – August 4, at Highclere, Albert Collier, aged 42 years.

Ten years later in the 1901 census Matilda was living in Wash Mill in Highclere with her son Albert John and her brother Henry Collins. Henry was recorded as a farm labourer. Matilda, Albert and Henry were recorded at Wash Water in Enborne in the 1911 census with Albert a farm labourer, Henry had no occupation recorded.

Matilda was recorded with her son Albert and his wife Emily at Wash Water in Enborne in the 1921 census. Albert was a farm labourer and both Matilda and Emily had home duties recorded as their occupation.

Matilda died on 19 May 1933 aged 77 while living at Enborne Row and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 23 May.

Albert’s parents were both buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, his mother Jane Collier on 24 January 1859 and his father John Collier on 8 January 1887. Matilda’s brother Henry Collins was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 29 October 1920.

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