Thomas Crook

1864-1865

Thomas was born Alfred Thomas in 1864, in Newbury, Berkshire. He was baptised as Thomas on the 4^th April 1865, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the son of Richard and Harriet Crook (formerly Richardson, nee Withers) who were married on the 4^th August 1861, at St Mary, Finchley, Middlesex.

Thomas died aged 8 months, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 12^th April 1865.

Thomas’s family:

His mother Harriet was baptised in 1832, in Greenham, Berkshire, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Withers (nee Johnson) who were married on the 17^th November 1816, in Thatcham, Berkshire. Harriet’s 1^st husband was Henry Richardson. They were married on the 5^th July 1851 at St Pancras, Middlesex. They had four children. Three daughters, Mary Ann, born 1852 in St Pancras, (died aged 1 in 1854, in Lambeth) Emily Caroline, born 1856, in Lambeth, Harriet Jane, born 1858, in Islington and a son Henry born 1860 in Newbury (after his father’s death) who died aged 4 months, buried 18^th January 1861 at St Mary, Greenham). Harriet was widowed in June 1860. Henry died aged 30, in Westminster

His father Richard was baptised in 1827, in Shaw cum Donnington, Berkshire, the illegitimate son of Martha Crook.

Richard and Harriet had the following children baptised at St Nicolas, Newbury:

Martha, born 1862 (baptised as Martha Ann, 19^th April 1863)

Eliza, born 1866 (baptised 31^st August 1866)

George, born 1869 (baptised 5^th February 1870, died aged 6 months in 1870, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 12^th February)

Ellen, born 1871 (baptised 2^nd May 1873)

In 1871 Richard (44), and Iron Founder’s Labourer, Harriet (35), Emma (15), Jane (13), (Emily Caroline and Harriet Jane, both surnames recorded as Crook) and Eliza (5), were recorded living in Lamburn’s Yard, Back Lane, Newbury. Martha (8) was living with her grandmother Martha James (72), in Brick Kiln Lane, Shaw cum Donnington.

The 1881 census records Richard 60), a Labourer, Harriet (43), a Laundress, Jane Richardson (23), a Laundress and Ellen (9), living in Wharf Road, Newbury.

Richard died aged 61 in 1887. His funeral service was held at St John the Evangelist Newbury and he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 19^th October.

The 1891 census records Harriet (54) as a Charwoman, living alone at 6 Deller’s Yard, Speen, Newbury, Berkshire.

Possible death for Harriet: Harriet Crook aged 60, death registered in the March quarter 1897, in Lambeth

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