Albert Thomas Phillips (1854 – 1904)

                                    Fanny Phillips (1855 – 1922)

Albert Thomas Hussey was baptized on 29 January 1854 at St Martin in East Woodhay as the baseborn son of Emily Hussey. Emily married William Phillips on 30 October 1858 at St Thomas in Woolton Hill. There is no trace of Albert or Emily in the 1861 and 1871 censuses. However, it appears that Albert took the name as Albert Phillips on his marriage in 1874 and in all subsequent records.

Albert married Fanny Harrison in 1874 in Newbury. Fanny was baptized on 2 April 1855 at St Mary in Speenhamland the daughter of James and Eliza, nee New, Harrison. In the 1861 census Fanny was recorded living with her parents and seven siblings in Speen, her father James was a shoemaker. A few years later in the 1871 census Fanny was recorded in Speenhamland with her parents and three siblings, Fanny had no occupation recorded.

In the 1881 census Albert and Fanny were recorded living with their children William aged 4, Kate Louisa aged 2 and George aged 3 months at Pembroke Place in Newbury and Albert was a groom.

In July 1889 Albert was fined one shilling for allowing his chimney to catch fire. Just a few days later Albert was charged with neglecting to send his children Kate and George to school regularly. Albert explained he had six children and the mother went out to work and the girl (Kate) was kept at home to look after the rest. H said he knew nothing about the non-attendance of the boy as the complaints had always been made to the mother. A fine of 2/6d was imposed with respect to the boy.

Just under a year later in May 1890 Albert was charged with not sending his three children to school. Fanny represented Albert and explained he had not had any regular work for three years so could not pay the school fees. The school attendance officer said the defendant had been told to apply to the guardians for relief but had neglected to do so. Fanny also mentioned Albert had just obtained a little work. The case was adjourned for a month for a special report. Subsequently in July 1890 the summons against Albert was withdrawn as the children were attending school regularly.

In the 1891 census Albert and Fanny were recorded living with their children Kate aged 12, George aged 10, James aged 8, Fanny aged 6 and Alice aged 3 at 9 Dellers Yard in Speen. Albert was a general labourer and Fanny’s occupation was charring and washing.

Ten years later in the 1901 census Albert and Fanny were recorded living with their daughter Alice aged 13 at 1 Jack Street in Newbury. Albert was a bricklayer’s labourer.

Albert died on 11 February 1904 aged 51 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 16 February. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News of 18 February as below.

PHILLIPS – Feb. 11, at Jack Street, Albert Thomas Phillips, beloved husband of Fanny Phillips, aged 51 – the end was peace.

Fanny was still living at 1 Jack Street in the 1911 census along with married daughter Alice Best and a boarder Thomas Hibbered aged 76 and a widower.

In the 1921 census Fanny was recorded with her daughter Alice Best and her husband William Albert at 1 Harrison’s Buildings in Stroud Green.

Fanny died in December 1922 while still living at 1 Harrison’s Buildings and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 27 December.

Further details of the children of Albert and Fanny as below. There are separate biographies for George and James who were both buried at Newtown Road Cemetery.

Catherine – baptized 13 Aug 1874 at Speenhamland, buried at St Mary, Speen on 31 May 1876

Albert Thomas – baptized 14 May 1875 at Speenhamland, buried 18 May 1875 at St Mary, Speen

William Thomas – born 1876, married Prudence E Watts, buried 11 Dec 1943 at Shaw Cemetery

Albert James – born Feb 1878, buried 19 March 1878 at St Mary, Speen

Kate Louisa – born 10 Mar 1879, married Ernest C Ralph, buried 11 May 1959 St Mary, Thatcham

George – born 15 May 1881, buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 12 March 1901

James – born 1882, buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 September 1910.

Fanny – born 1884, died 7 Feb 1945 at Royal Berks, buried 12 Feb 1945 at Shaw Cemetery

Alice – born 1887, married William Albert Best, buried at Shaw Cemetery on 10 Dec 1949

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