George Phillips (1862 – 1912)

                                    Ellen Phillips (1861 – 1946)

George Phillips was born in 1861 in Newbury, the son of George and Ann, nee Harris, Phillips. In the 1871 census George was recorded with his parents and three siblings in Snelsmore. Then in the 1881 census George along with his parents and three siblings was living at Castle Farm in Shaw cum Donnington. George was a farm labourer as was his father George and brother John.

At present no trace of George in the 1891 census. He may have been working in Australia as many years later on the death of his widow Ellen it was reported he had worked in Australia as a mining engineer.

George married Ellen Titcomb in 1901 in Newbury. Ellen was born on 28 May 1861 and baptized on 7 July 1861 at South Marston in Wiltshire. Her parents were Reuben and Martha, nee Williams, Titcomb. In the 1871 and 1881 censuses Ellen was recorded living with her parents and siblings in Highworth in Wiltshire. In the latter Ellen was a domestic general servant, her father Reuben a shepherd and her mother Martha an agricultural labourer.

A few weeks after the marriage in the 1901 census George and Ellen were recorded at 1 Craven Terrace in Newbury. George’s occupation was recorded as living on own means.

Ten years later in the 1911 census George and Ellen along with their son Fredrick George aged 8 and Ellen’s mother Martha Titcomb were living at 42 York Road in Newbury. George’s occupation is recorded as private means.

George died on 19 February 1912 aged 50 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 February. He left a will and probate was granted on 22 April 1912 at Oxford to his widow Ellen. In the will his occupation was stated to be a miner. The value of the estate was £1,345 14s 2d.

Ellen was still living at 42 York Road when the 1921 census was taken along with her son Frederick George who was an engineering draughtsman working for Plenty & Son in Kings Road.

When the national register was compiled in September 1939 Ellen and Frederick were still living at 42 York Road and Frederick was still a draughtsman.

Ellen died on 21 November 1946 aged 85 still living at 42 York Road. She was knocked down by a motor car near the Adam and Eve pub in Greenham. She sustained a broken skull and was admitted to Newbury Hospital and died within two hours of being admitted. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 26 November.

Frederick George, son of George and Ellen, continued to live at 42 York Road until he died on 11 February 1975. It appears he lived there by himself as in the electoral registers between 1950 and 1965 Frederick was the only occupant listed at the address.

Sources: