Helen Sophia Adams

1847-1907

Helen, her parents, siblings and early life:

Helen Sophia was born on the 6^th November 1847, in Newbury, Berkshire. She was baptised on the 26^th December 1847, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of George (a Chemist) and Mary Ann Atlee (nee Brownie) who were married on the 17^th February 1838, in Hillingdon, Middlesex.

Helen’s father George was born on the 11^th April 1813, he was baptised on the 2^nd May 1813 at the Newbury Upper Meeting House (Presbyterian), the son of Daniel and Mary Atlee (nee Dibley) who were married on the 18^th November 1805, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury.

Her mother Mary Ann was baptised on the 26^th June 1814, in Uxbridge, Middlesex, the daughter of Wrightson Ward and Elizabeth Brownie (nee Atkins) who were married on the 4^th January 1806, in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

Helen’s siblings were:

Daniel Wrightson, born 9^th September 1838, baptised 6^th October 1838, in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. (died aged 13 in 1852, buried 13^th January, at St Mary the Virgin, Speen)

Elizabeth Eleanor born 17^th August 1845, baptised 30^th September 1845, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury. (dad recorded as a Chemist and Druggist)

In 1841 George (25), Mary (20) and their son Daniel (2), were living in Speen, Berkshire.

The 1851 census records George (37) as an Annuitant, living in Shaw cum Donnington, Berkshire with Mary (33), Daniel (12), Elizabeth (5), Helen (3), a visitor and a general servant. (Surname recoded as Atley on ancestry)

George died aged 44, in September 1858, in Woodspeen, Berkshire, he was buried at St Mary the Virgin, Speen on either the 13^th or 18^th September.

The 1861 census records Mary (44) as an Annuitant, living at The Crescent, Shaw Road, Speenhamland, Berkshire, with Elizabeth (15), Helen (13), a boarder, a visitor and a servant.

In 1881 Helen (33) (recorded as Ellen) was working as a Governess. She was living with her mother Mary (65) at 11, Shaw Crescent, Speenhamland. She was also recorded in the 1891 census as a Governess and was still living at 11, Shaw Crescent with her mother.

Helen’s mother continued to live in Shaw Crescent until her death in 1893, She died aged 79 on the 27^th May, and was buried on the 30^th May, at St Mary the Virgin, Speen. Administration (with Will) was granted to Helen on the 11^th October with Effects: £372 12s 6d.

Helen in later life:

Helen married Thomas Adams in 1894 (marriage registered in Newbury)

(Thomas was born on the 7^th October 1832 in Burbage, Wiltshire. He was baptised on the 3^rd November 1832 in Burbage, the son of Thomas and Anna Adams. He married Margaret Anderson in 1856, in the Wantage area of Berkshire. They had the following children: Annie Anderson, 1857, Mary Fenton, 1859, Thomas, 1860, Charles Hall Mason, 1862, Henry Duncan, 1863, and Margaret Eleanor, 1865. Thomas was widowed in 1890. In 1891 Thomas was recorded as a Farmer at Grange Farm, Shaw cum Donnington, Berkshire.)

The 1901 census records Helen (53) living with Thomas (68), at Grange Farm, Shaw cum Donnington. Also recorded as a visitor in the household was Helen’s sister Elizabeth Eleanor Atlee, a Domestic Servant and two 18year old Farm Carters.

Helen was widowed in 1902. Thomas died aged 69 on the 12^th April. Probate records Effects £6088 5s 5d.  Probate 3^rd June to Thomas Adams a Farmer and Henry Duncan Adams a Bank Inspector

Helen died aged 59 on the 4^th June 1907, at Collosseum Terrace, St Pancras, London. Her body was brought to Newbury and she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th June.

Her sister Elizabeth Eleanor died the following year, on the 8^th March. She was laid to rest with Helen Sophia, on the 11^th March 1908.

Probate: ADAMS Helen Sophia of 2, St Anne’s-villas Craven-street Newbury Berkshire widow died 4^th June 1907 at Colosseum-terrace West St Pancras London Probate Oxford 25^th July to Henry Duncan Adams bank inspector and Mary Fenton Budd (wife of George Budd) Effects: £8970 19s 10d in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs P’s    Page 55    NE 37(A)

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