Emma Collins (1833 – 1906)

Eliza Smith was born circa 1833 in Thatcham, probably Crookham, the daughter of Richard Smith and Harriet Giles. She was baptized on 6 August 1833 at St Mary in Thatcham, her father Richard was recorded as a labourer and they were living in Crook (should it have been Crookham) Lane.

In the 1841 and 1851 censuses Emma was living with her parents Richard and Harriet, brother Joseph and sister Mary Ann at Crookham Common in 1841 and Stroud Green in 1851. Emma and her mother were both recorded as laundresses in 1851 while Richard and Joseph were agricultural labourers.

Emma married Charles Collins in 1852 in Newbury. Charles was born circa 1826 in Newtown and was baptized on 24 December 1826 in Newtown, the son of William and Eliza, nee White, Collins. In the 1841 census he was living with his parents and siblings in Stroud Green. He was still living in Stroud Green with his parents and six siblings in the 1851 census, both Charles and his father William were recorded as agricultural labourers.

Charles and Emma had eight children, all born in Greenham. The children were George (1853), Henry (1856), Emma (1859), John (1862), Harriet (1864), Fred (1869), David (1871) and Albert (1875).

In the 1861 census Charles and Emma along with children George, Henry and Emma were living in Greenham Common with Charles recorded as an agricultural labourer.  Ten years later in the 1871 census Charles and Emma along with children George, Emma, John and Fred were living in Moorlands Cottages, Greenham with Charles and George both recorded as agricultural labourers. 

Charles and Emma were living in Greenham Fields in the 1881 census along with sons Fred, David and Albert. Charles was a tanner and Fred a fellmonger.

By the time of the 1891 census Charles and Emma were living in Mill Lane in Grenham with sons David and Albert, Charles, David and Albert were all agricultural labourers. Ten years later in 1901 Charles and Emma were still living in Mill Lane with Charles recorded as a farm labourer and carter.

Ann died in early 1906 aged 74 (according to the death certificate) while living at 8 Adey’s Buildings in Newbury and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 3 February 1906.

In the 1901 census Charles was living with his daughter Emma Jessett and her husband in Cold Ash and recorded as an old age pensioner.

Charles died in April 1912 aged 84 while living in Hambridge Road in Newbury and he was buried at St Mary in Greenham on 24 April

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