George Peover Percy (1827 – 1899)

Harriet Mary Percy (1833 – 1903)

Florence Percy (1857 – 1865)

George Peover Percy was baptized at St Mary in Speen on 17 May 1827, the son of Richard and Ann, nee Duck, Percy. By the time of the 1841 census Richard and Ann had moved away from Newbury and they were recorded in Marylebone workhouse along with George and his sister Henrietta aged 11. Richard was a school teacher.

Subsequently in the 1851 census George was recorded as a lodger in Cheap Street in Newbury with his uncle Henry Keene. George was a currier, as was his uncle Henry who employed 2 men.

George married Harriet Mary Pullen in 1852 in Newbury. Harriet was born in 1833 in Newbury the daughter of Henry and Sarah Ann, nee Gough, Pullen. She was baptized on 10 November 1833 at St Nicolas in Newbury, her father Henry was a corn porter. In the 1851 census Harriet was recorded living with her grandmother Harriet Winter in Stroud Green.

George and Harriet’s first child Ada Eliza who was born on 19 August 1853 in Philadelphia. No details of their visit to United States have been found but it was quite a short one, they subsequently had 11 further children all born in Newbury. More details of the children below.

In the 1861 census George and Harriet were recorded living with their children Ada Eliza aged 7, Eva Henrietta aged 5, Florence aged 3, and Edith Annie, aged 1, at St Mary’s Hill in Newbury and a domestic servant, George was a currier.

Sadly, Florence Percy, daughter of George and Harriet, died in July 1865 aged only 7 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 July.

George and Harriet were still living at St Mary’s Hill in 1871 with children Edith, Isabel, Gertrude, Eleanor and Charlie and Harriet’s great aunt Elizabeth Merrick. George was still a currier while the five eldest children were scholars.

In November 1876 George appeared before Newbury borough police court accused of being drunk in Bartholomew Street on 20 November. He was found guilty and fined 10 shillings with 10 shillings costs. Over the years George appeared before the court a number of times after drinking too much alcohol.

In the 1881 census George and Harriet with children Isabel, Arthur, Eleanor, Charlie, Ethel, Harold and Harry were living at 64 Cheap Street in Newbury. George was a carrier while Isabel had no occupation while the other children apart from Harry were scholars.

An announcement appeared in the Reading Mercury of 24 December 1886 regarding the estate of Henry Keens, currier and leather merchant of Cheap Street. The business carried on by Henry for over 50 years had been transferred to his nephew George Percy. The announcement had been inserted by Eliza Keens, the executrix, of 63 Cheap Street.

Five years later in the 1891 census George and Harriet were still living at 64 Cheap Street with their children Edith, Isabel, Arthur, Charlie, Harold and Harry along with a domestic servant. George was now a leather seller as were sons Charlie and Harold, Edith and Isabel had no occupations recorded and Arthur was a professional vocalist. 

George died on 10 May 1899 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 13 May. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News of 11 May as below.

PERCY – May 10, at 64 St Mary’s Hill, George Peover Percy, aged 72 years. No cards.

In the 1901 census Harriet was still living at 64 Cheap Street with her unmarried daughters Ada, Edith and. Isabel. Edith had no occupation recorded but Harriet, Ada and Edith were all shop keepers selling fancy articles.

Just two years later Harriet Mary died on 7 September 1903 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 9 September. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 10 September as below.

PERCY – Sept. 7, Harriet Mary, widow of the late George P. Percy, St Mary’s Hill, Newbury, in her 70th year.

Further details of the children of George and Harriet as below. There are separate biographies for those buried at Newtown Road Cemetery.

Ada Eliza – born 9 Aug 1853, married Charles Gordon, buried at Newtown Road on 28 Jan 1921

Eva Henrietta – born 1855, buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 15 April 1874

Florence – born 1857, buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 July 1865

Edith Annie – born 1859, did not marry, buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 3 March 1926

Gertrude Elizabeth – born 1861, died 7 June 1877 in Hastings.

Isabel – born 4 Nov 1863, did not marry, buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 June 1942

Arthur Henry – born 1866, career as vocalist, died Rhode Island on 20 November 1891

Eleanor Merrick – born 28 Feb 1868, married Frank Sandbrook, died April 1942 Westcliff on sea

Charlie – born 1870, in 1900 in San Bernadino, California, died 31 Jan 1901 in San Bernadino

Ethel Frances Mary – born 1873, buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 1 October 1890.

Harold John – born 12 July 1875, married Emily Carter, went to Canada, died 7 Jan 1945 Toronto

Harry Oswald – born 1879, emigrated to USA 1897, in San Bernadino, California in 1900

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