William Parr

c1795-1854

William was baptised on the 25^th December 1795, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the son of William and Mary Parr (nee Witherell) who were married on the 25^th May 1795, at St Mary, Greenham, Berkshire.

His father William was a Wheelwright. He was born c1768 (Possible baptism: 18^th November 1768, at St Mary, Greenham, son of John and Sarah Parr, (nee Holland) married in 1759, in Hampshire, not proved) William died aged 78, in 1844, he was buried on the 3^rd March, at St Mary Greenham.

His mother Mary was born c1775 in Berkshire. She died aged 75, in 1850 and was buried on the 28^th June, at St Mary, Greenham.

William and Mary also had the following children:

George, born 9^th November, baptised 26^th November 1797, at St Mary, Greenham

Maria, born 6^th February, baptised 4^th March 1801, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Harriot, born 2^nd October, baptised 23^rd November 1803, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Richard, born 12^th June, baptised 2^nd July 1806, at St Nicolas, Newbury

John, born 11^th August, baptised 11^th September 1808, at St Nicolas, Newbury (died aged 15, buried 10^th march 1824, at St Mary, Greenham)

James, born 26^th May, baptised 7^th July 1811, at St Mary, Greenham (died aged 33, in 1843, buried 11^th June, at St Mary, Greenham)

Mary Ann, baptised 6^th February 1814, at St Mary, Greenham

Sarah, baptised 10^th March 1816, at St Mary, Greenham

Ann, baptised 14^th May 1820, at St Mary, Greenham

Thomas, baptised 14^th September 1823, at St Mary, Greenham

William married Elizabeth Showell on the 7^th June 1824, in Thatcham, Berkshire.

(Elizabeth was born on the 8^th April 1798, she was baptised on the 20^th May, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of Thomas and Frances Showell (nee Bayle) who were married on the 6^th April 1789, in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.)

Elizabeth had an illegitimate son, William Parr, baptised on the 22^nd July 1821, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury. (Father recorded as William Parr, an Ostler.)

William and Elizabeth also had the following children:

Frances Ann, baptised 27^th January1828, at St Mary, Greenham

Eliza, baptised 25^th May 1830, at St Mary, Greenham

Ellen, 25^th June 1837, at St Nicolas, Newbury (dad a Publican) (died aged 5 months, buried 10^th Oct. at St Nicolas, Newbury)

Ellen, 1^st September 1839, at St Nicolas, Newbury (dad a Publican)

By at least 1836 William was the Publican of the Royal Oak, in Northbrook Street, Newbury.

The 1841 census records William (40), a Publican, Elizabeth (35), their daughters Fanny (13), (Frances Ann) Eliza (10) and Ellen (2) and a Harriett Parr (13), living in Northbrook Street, Newbury.

In 1846 William became the Publican of the Weaver’s Arms, in Cheap Street, Newbury.

The 1851 census records William (55), an Innkeeper, Elizabeth (53), their daughter Eliza (21), their married daughter Frances Taylor (23), their grandchildren, George Taylor (2), Elizabeth Taylor (1), a servant and seven lodgers, living in St Mary Hill, Newbury. (The Weaver’s Arms)

William died aged 58, on the 10^th March 1854, in Woodspeen, Berkshire, he was laid to rest in a private grave in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 15^th March.

In 1861 Elizabeth (63) was recorded as, formerly a Laundress, living in Westcombe Buildings, Northbrook Street, Newbury. Her married daughter Eliza Rowell (30), a Dressmaker and her grandson, Henry Robert Rowell (7), were recorded living with her.

In 1871 Elizabeth (72) was recorded as a retired Publican, she was still living in Westcombe Buildings, but was now living alone.

Elizabeth died aged 80, on the 27^th October 1878, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery with William on the 30^th October.

Reading Mercury

Dated 11^th March 1854

On the 10^th inst. Mr. Wiliam Parr, of Newbury, in the 59^th year of his age.

Mrs P’s    Page 114    Code LN X3

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