Susan (Susanna) Crook

c1844-1875

Susanna, her parents, siblings and early life:

Susanna was born c1844, in Corsham, Wiltshire. She was baptised on the 28^th June 1846, in Corsham, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Wheeler (nee Barnes) who were married on the 6^th March 1828, in Chippenham, Wiltshire. (John was from the parish of Corsham).

Susanna’s father John was born c1808, in Corsham, Wiltshire.

Her mother Elizabeth was baptised on the 15^th January 1804, in Kington St Michael, Chippenham, Wiltshire, the daughter of Thomas and Susanna Barnes (nee Gough), who were married on the 15^th December 1794, in Great Somerford, Chippenham, Wiltshire. Susanna was from Hilmarton, Calne, Wiltshire.

Susanna’s siblings were (all baptised in Corsham, dad recorded as a Tailor):

Martha, 25^th January 1829

Henry John, 19^th September 1830

Louisa, 8^th July 1832

Caroline, 2^nd March 1834

Emma Lydia, 25^th December 1835

Elizabeth, 20^th August 1837

John Henry, either 11^th or 13^th August 1839

James, 9^th May 1841

The 1841 census records John (30), a Tailor, Elizabeth (35), Martha (12), Henry (10), Louisa (9), Caroline (7), Emma (6), Elizabeth (4), John (2) and James (2 months), living in Pickwick Road, Corsham, Wiltshire.

In 1851 John (42), an Innkeeper, Elizabeth (45), Martha (21), Henry John (19), a Butcher, Louisa (18), Caroline (16), Elizabeth (13), John Henry (11), a Carpenter’s Apprentice, James (9), and Susanna (7), were recorded living in the High Street, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.

By 1859 John was the Innkeeper of the Cross Keys, London Road, Speenhamland, Berkshire.

Susanna’s father John died aged 51 in 1859. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 30^th August.

The 1861 census records Elizabeth (54) as the Innkeeper of the Cross Keys. Her son James (21) and her daughter Susanna (18) were recorded living with her, helping her with the business.

Eliazbeth (64), was again recorded as an Innkeeper at the Cross Keys, in the 1871 census. James (27), a Dealer, Susanna (23), a Barmaid and two lodgers were recorded living with her.

Susanna in later life:

Susanna married in 1872

Marriage details:

Place: Greyfriars Church, Reading, Berkshire

Date: 5^th August 1872

Groom: William Crook, full age, bachelor, occupation, Coach Builder, abode, Reading

Bride: Susanna Barnes Wheeler, full age, spinster, abode, Reading

Fathers: Noah Crook, a Baker and John Wheeler, an Innkeeper

Witnesses: Reuben Smart and Mary Smart

(William was born c1843 in Fairford Gloucester and was baptised on the 23^rd February 1843 in Fairford, the son of Noah and Phoebe Crook (nee Hatt) who were married on the 17^th July 1839, in Liddington, Wiltshire).

William and Susanna had two children born in Newbury, Mary Ann, born c1873 and William born c1875.

Not long after William’s birth, both Susan (30) (Susanna) and baby William died, in Speenhamland. They were both laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 17^th March.

Susanna’s mother Elizabeth Wheeler also died the same year, aged 72. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 31^st December.

The 1881 census records William (38) as a boarder, living at 8 Cardington Street, St Pancras, London.

William died aged 40 in 1883, in St Pancras, London.

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