John Collins (1829 – 1895)

                                    Ann Collins (1828 – 1887)

John Collins was born circa 1829 in Newbury, the illegitimate son of John Richardson, a labourer, and Martha Collins. He was baptized on 11 February 1829 at St Nicolas in Newbury.

In the 1841 census John was recorded with his mother Martha and Edward Collins aged 23 (possibly his brother) living in the City, Newbury. John and Edward were both labourers. Ten years later in the 1851 census John was living in Bartholomew Street in Newbury and his occupation was brewer’s servant.

John married Elizabeth Ann Willis on 9 June 1851 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Elizabeth was born circa 1828 in Newbury. In the marriage records her father was recorded as William Willis a bargeman. There is no trace of Elizabeth in 1841 and 1851 censuses so she may have been living on a barge with her family and not recorded.

In the 1861 census John and Elizabeth were living in the City in Newbury with children William aged 9 and Ellen aged 2, John was a brewer’s servant. John and Elizabeth were recorded in a public house located in the City in Newbury with daughters Ellen aged 12 and Elizabeth Ann aged 2 in the 1871 census with John a brewer’s labourer. Ten years later in the 1881 census John and Elizabeth with daughter Elizabeth Ann aged 12 were living in a brew house in the City in Newbury. John was recorded as a brewer and cellarman.

Just a few months later on Friday 23 September 1881 John Collins, described as a beerhouse keeper living in the City, was summoned before Newbury borough police court for allowing beer to be consumed on his premises, whilst only holding an off licence. He pleaded guilty and ignorance of the law. The Bench agreed that there did not seem to be any wish to evade the law and he was just fined 10s with 8s costs.

Elizabeth died on 3 January 1887 aged 57 (according to the death certificate) and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 7 January. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News of 6 January as below

COLLINS – Jan. 3, at the City, Newbury, Elizabeth Ann Collins, wife of John Collins, aged 57.

A few years later in the 1891 census John was living with his daughter Elizabeth Ann in Hampton Road in Newbury, John was a general labourer and Elizabeth a dressmaker.

John died on 22 July 1895 aged 67 at the district hospital in Newbury and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 25 July. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News of 25 July as below

COLLINS – July 22, at the District Hospital, Newbury, John Collins, aged 67.

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