Laura Crook

1851-1911

Laura, her parents, siblings and early life:

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.

Laura’s father Thomas was born c1815, he was baptised on the 16^th April 1815 in Duns Tew, Oxfordshire, the son of William (a Blacksmith) and Elizabeth Hatten (nee Aris) who were married on the 19^th May 1808, in Duns Tew.

Her mother Sarah Ann was born on the 18^th November 1817, she was baptised on the 8^th January 1840 in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, the daughter of William (a Cabinet Maker) and Sarah Clifton (nee Field) who were married on the 17^th October 1808, in Tew Great, Oxfordshire.

Thomas and Sarah Ann also had the following children:

Joseph, 1846

William, 1849

Rebecca, 1854

Ann, c1858

The 1861 census records Thomas (46), a Blacksmith, employing 2 men, Sarah Ann (41), Joseph (15), a Blacksmith, Laura (10), Rebecca (6) and Ann (3), living in Duns Tew.

Laura’s father died aged 46 in 1861, in Oxfordshire

Laura’s mother died aged 50 on the 13^th January 1869, in Oxfordshire.

Laura in later life:

In 1871 Laura (20) was working as a Domestic Servant, for a George Clarke and his family, in Montague Place, Hammersmith, Middlesex.

The 1881 census records Laura (30) living in Oxford Road, Speenhamland, Berkshire, with her married sister Rebecca Hester (26), her brother-in-law Thomas Hester and their children, Laura (5), William (3) and Thomas (1).

Laura married a widower, George Crook in 1882 (marriage registered in Newbury).

(George was born c1847 in Bagnor, Berkshire, the son of Henry and Sarah Crook (nee Wells). He married Phoebe Jane Hamblin in 1867, in Newbury and was widowed in 1880. Phoebe died aged 37, she was buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 30^th March)

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.

Laura died aged 59, on the 14^th September 1911, 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

Sources: