Henry Collins (1841 – 1920)

                                    Jane Collins (1837 – 1900)

                                    Charles Collins (1873 – 1899)

Henry Collins was born in 1841 in Enborne, the son of Isaac and Harriet, nee Purton, Collins. He was baptized on 21 March 1841 at St Michael in Enborne.

In the 1841, 1851 and 1861 censuses Henry was recorded with his parents in Enborne Row along with various siblings. His father Isacc was an agricultural labourer in all three censuses and Henry was also recorded as an agricultural labourer in 1861.

Henry married Jane Eatwell in Newbury in 1869. Jane was born in 1837 in Aldbourne in Wiltshire. She was baptized on 4 June 1837 in Aldbourne the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth. In the 1851 census she was living as a servant in Avington near Hungerford and was recorded as an agricultural labourer. No trace of Jane in the 1861 census. 

In the 1871 census Henry and Jane along with son Albert aged 11 months were living in Enborne with Henry working as an agricultural labourer. Another son Charles was born in 1873 followed in 1875 by Frederick.

A few years later in the 1881 census Henry and Jane with sons Albert, Charles and Frederick were living in Wash Road in Newbury with Henry recorded as a labourer. Then in the 1891census the family were all living in Priory Road in Wash Common, with Henry, Albert and Charles all recorded as labourers while Frederick was a baker’s assistant.

Henry and Jane’s son Charles died aged 25 on 1 April 1899 after a long illness. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 5 April. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News of 6 April 1899 as below.

COLLINS – April 1, at Wash Common, Newbury, Charles Collins, son of H. and J. Collins, aged 25.

Just over a year later Jane died on 21 December 1900 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 December. She did not leave a will but administration of her estate was granted on 16 December 1901 at London to Henry, the value of the estate was £179.

The following year in the 1901 census Henry was living with his widowed sister Matilda Collier and her son Albert John in Wash Mill, Highclere with Henry a farm labourer. Ten years later in the 1911 census Henry was still living with his sister Matilda and her son but now in Wash Water, Enborne. Henry did not have any occupation recorded.

Henry died on 26 October 1920 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 29 October.

Albert Collins, son of Henry and Jane, was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 21 January 1948. Henry’s sister Matilda Collier was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 23 May 1933.

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