John Neil

1835-1913

John was born on the 13^th August 1835 in Chelsea, Middlesex. He was baptised on the 23^rd August 1835 at St Luke, Chelsea, the son of James and Mary Ann Neil (nee Denslow) who were married on the 16^th June 1825, at St George, Hanover Square, Westminster.

James and Mary Ann also had the following children baptised at St Luke, Chelsea:

Elizabeth, born 17^th March 1826, baptised 18^th March

William, born 29^th December 1830, baptised 30^th January 1831

Robert, born 12^th April 1833, baptised 5^th May

Mary Ann, born 1840, in Chelsea (no baptism found)

According to baptism records, James was a Sergeant Major at the Royal Military Asylum.

In 1841 Mary (40) and her children, William (10), Robert (8), John (4) and Mary (7 months), were recorded living in Evans Buildings, George Street, Chelsea.

The 1851 census also records Mary (49) (a widow) as a Charwoman, living in Evans Buildings, Chelsea, with her children, William (20), Robert (17), both Newsmen, John (14), a News Boy and Mary (10).

In 1861 Mary (59) and her children, William (30), Robert (27), John (24), all Letter Carriers and Mary (20), were recorded living at 31 Sydney Terrace, Chelsea.

The 1871 census records Mary (69) and her sons William (40) and John (34), both Letter Carriers, living at 39 Leete Street, Chelsea.

John married in 1878

Marriage details:

Place: St Pancras, Middlesex

Date: 20^th August 1878

Groom: John Neil, aged 41, bachelor, occupation, G.P.O. Letter Sorter, abode, Judd Street

Bride: Eliza Colins, aged 43, spinster, abode, Judd Street

Fathers: James Neil, Deceased, Sergeant Major, Royal Military Asylum and James Collins, Deceased, Fisherman

(Eliza was born c1835, in Eastbourne/Brighton, Sussex)

John’s mother Mary Ann died aged 79 in 1880, in Chelsea

In 1881 John (44) (no occupation recorded) and Eliza (46), a Housekeeper, were recorded living at 45 Prince’s Gards, St Margaret, Westminster.

The 1891 census records John (54) as a Retired Postman, living with Eliza (54), in Ashmore Green, Berkshire.

In 1901 John (64) and Eliza (64) were recorded living in Rose Cottage, Ashmore Green.

John was widowed in 1905. Eliza died aged 69. She was buried on the 9^th October, at St Mark, Cold Ash, Berkshire.

The 1911 census records John (74), lodging at 6, Stanley Terrace, Park Lane, Newbury, Berkshire, the home of Ann Shepherd (68) a Laundress.

John died aged 76, in 1913, in the Workhouse Infirmary. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 15^th August.

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