George Crook

c1847-1912

George, his parents, siblings and early life:

George was born in Bagnor, Berkshire, the son of Henry and Sarah Crook (nee Wells).

George’s father Henry was baptised in 1813 in Shaw cum Donnington, the son of William and Miriam Crook (nee Andrews) who were married in 1792, in Shaw cum Donnington.      He married Sophia Fidler in 1836, in Shaw cum Donnington.                                                   They had a son Henry, born in 1839, in Shaw cum Donnington.                                                                                                                     Sophia died aged 28 the following year. She was buried on the 6^th June 1840, at St Mary the Virgin, Shaw cum Donnington.                                                                                                              Henry died aged 63 in 1877, he was buried on the 1^st July, at St Mary the Virgin, Speen.                                                                                                                                    

George’s mother Sarah was baptised in 1821 in Bemeton Wiltshire, the daughter of James and Anna Wells. Sarah died aged 77 in 1898, she was buried on the 7^th September, at St Mary the Virgin, Speen.

The 1841 census records Sarah Wells (19) living in Bagnor, Berkshire, with George Wells (59), Ann Wells (56), Joseph Day (57), Fanny Day (53) and Henry Crook (1) (Henry and Sophia’s son). Henry (25) was recorded living in Donnington, with his mother Meriam (76) and his brother John (27).

Henry and Sarah were married in 1842, in Speen, Berkshire.

They also had the following children:

Eliza Ann, 1842

Ann, 1845 (died aged 3 months, buried 22^nd June, at St Mary the Virgin, Speen)

Mary, c1849

Harriett, 1851

Esther, c1854

James, c1856

Ann, 1859

Martha, 1862

Alfred, 1863 (died aged 3 months, buried 23^rd February 1864, at St Mary the Virgin, Speen)

Sarah Elizabeth, 1865

The 1851 census records George (4), living in the hamlet of Bagnor, Speen, with his father Henry (37), an Agricultural Labourer, his mother Sarah (29) and his siblings, Henry (11) (his half-brother), Eliza (8), Mary (2) and Harriet (1 month).

The 1861 census records Henry (47), an Agricultural Labourer, Sarah (40), a Field Worker, Eliza A (18), a Laundress, George (14), an Agricultural Labourer, Mary (12), Harriett (10), Esther (7), James (5) and Ann (1), living in Wickham Road, Stockcross, Berkshire.

George in later life:

Like his father before him, George also married twice.

He married his 1^st wife, Ph(o)ebe Jane Hamblin in 1867 (marriage registered in Newbury)

(Phoebe Jane was born on the 20^th July 1846, in Stockcross, Berkshire, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Hamblin (nee Allen) who were married on the 20^th May 1832, in Cheadle, Cheshire).

The 1871 census records George (26) as a Builder, living Wharf Lane, Newbury with Jane (26).

George was widowed in 1880, Phoebe Jane died aged 37, on the 27^th March, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 30^th March.

The 1881 census records George (35), a Bricklayer, living in Bagnor, Berkshire, with his widowed mother Sarah (58), his sister, Sarah (16) and a Harriet (9) (recorded as daughter but could be George’s sister, niece or his daughter) and two lodgers.

George remarried in 1882. His 2^nd wife was Laura Hatten

(Laura was born 1851 in Oxfordshire, she was baptised on the 23^rd February 1851 in Duns Tew, Oxfordshire, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Ann Hatten (nee Clifton) who were married on the 21^st December 1844, in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire)

George and Laura had the following children:

Rose Laura, c1883, baptised 13^th April 1883, at St Nicolas Newbury

Florence Louise, 1884, baptised 10^th February 1885, at St Nicolas Newbury

Bertie George, 1887

Margaret Sarah, 1890 (died aged 2 in 1892, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 10^th December)

Mary Elizabeth, 1893

Larua also gave birth to a stillborn baby in 1889. The baby was buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th April

In 1891 George (44), a Bricklayer, Laura (40), and their children, Rose (8), Florence (6), Bertie (4), Margaret (11 months) and Laura’s brother Thomas Hatton (29) (who was blind) were recorded living in Albany Place, Newbury, Berkshire.

The 1901 census records George (55) as a Bricklayer, living in Hampton Road, Newbury, with Laura (51), Bertie (14), Margaret (7) and Thomas Hatten (39).

In 1911 George (65), a Bricklayer, Laura (60), Florence (26), a Cook, Mary (17), a Kitchen Maid and Thomas Hatten (49), a Church Organ Blower and Blind Annuitant, were recorded living in West Field gate, Newbury.

George was widowed in 1911, Laura died aged 59, on the 14^th September, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 16^th September.

George died aged 65, on the 5^th March 1912. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th March.

Mrs P’s    Page 100    Code NWN 1

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