Jane Percy (1835 – 1913)

Jane Langton was born in 1835 in Newbury the daughter of Thomas and Mary, nee Waites, Langton. She was baptized on 15 November 1835 at St Nicolas in Newbury, her father was recorded as a corn porter. 

In the 1851 census Jane was recorded living with her parents, seven sisters and one brother in Wharf Road in Newbury, her father Thomas was a corn porter.

 Jane married Joseph Percy, a draper, on 24 February 1857 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Joseph was born in 1834 in Reading, the son of Charles and Elizabeth. He was baptized on 8 September 1834 at St Mary in Reading, his father was recorded as a glazier.

Sadly, Joseph died on 19 June 1858 aged only 24 and he was buried on 25 June 1858 at London Road Cemetery in Reading. An announcement appeared in the Reading Mercury dated 26 June 1858 as below.

On the 19th inst., aged 24, Mr. Joseph Percy of 5 Upper Southampton St, Reading, third son of Mr. Charles Percy, plumber, of St John’s Hill.

Just weeks after the death of Joseph Jane had a son Joseph. Joseph junior was baptized on 8 September 1858 at St Nicolas in Newbury, Joseph senior was recorded as a linen draper.

Just a few years later in the 1861 census Jane and her son Joseph were living with her parents and six of her siblings (five sisters and one brother) at Back Lane in Newbury, her father Thomas was still a corn porter. Jane and Joseph were still living with her parents and three of her sisters in the 1871 census, but now at Kings Arms Yards in Newbury.

Ten years later in the 1881 census Jane and her son Joseph are living with Jane’s unmarried sisters Louisa and Hannah in Bartholomew Street in Newbury. Joseph is a commercial clerk while Jane and her sisters all had their occupation recorded as “lady”. Jane was recorded as the head of the house.

Jane appeared in both 1890 and 1891 on the list of voters entitled to vote in county elections but not parliamentary elections. Her address was recorded as Bartholomew Terrace. It was not very common for women to be allowed to vote at that time.

No trace has been found of Jane in the 1891 census. In the 1901 census Jane was recorded as a visitor in the house of her sister Elizabeth Stillman and her husband Arthur at 1 Bartholomew Terrace off Pound Street in Newbury. Jane was still living at 1 Bartholomew Terrace when the 1911 census was taken. She was the head of the house and Arthur Stillman, now a widower, was a boarder.

 Jane died on 11 July 1913 aged 77 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 16 July. There is an inscription for Jane and her son Joseph on their shared grave. Joseph died on 28 February 1917 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 3 March.

 Jane’s parents Thomas and Mary Langton were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 27 October 1873 and 12 October 1880 respectively. In addition, six of her siblings were also buried at Newtown Road Cemetery.

The siblings were Mary Ann Langton on 9 March 1872,

Sarah Langton on 15 October 1853,

Elizabeth Stillman on 27 July 1904,

Emma Kimber on 11 January 1922,

Jane Percy on 16 July 1913

and Thomas Langton on 6 June 1903.

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