Sarah Dredge

c1794-1857

Sarah, her parents and siblings:

Sarah was baptised on the 26^th January 1794, in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Newth (nee Jackson) who were married on the 10^th January 1791, in Wootton Bassett.

Sarah’s father John was a Baker. He was born c1759 (place unknown). John died aged 53, in 1812. He was buried on the 5^th September, in Wooton Bassett.

Sarah’s mother Elizabeth was baptised on the 24^th July 1768, in Radbourne Cheney, Wiltshire, the daughter of John and Jemima Jackson (nee Adams) who were married on the 10^th October 1766, in Rodbourne Cheney. Elizabeth died aged 88 in 1853, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 21^st March.

John and Elizabeth also the following children baptised in Wootton Bassett:

John, 4^th June 1797

Robert, 23^rd February 1800

Jemima, 19^th June 1803

Mark, 20^th April 1806

William, 6^th December 1807

George, 16^th May 1813

Sarah in later life:

Sarah married in 1839

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas Church, Newbury, Berkshire.

Date: 19^th May 1839

Groom: Nathaniel Dredge, full age, widower, occupation, Coach Smith, abode, Newbury

Bride: Sarah Newth, full age, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: James Dredge, a Basket Maker and John Newth, a Baker

Witnesses: Robert Newth and George Stillman

(Nathaniel was baptised on the 13^th November 1789, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, Berkshire, the son of James and Anna Maria Dredge. Nathaniel married Kezia Osman on the 24^th December 1814, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury. They had the following children baptised at St Nicolas, Newbury: William, 14^th October 1817, died aged 2 months, buried 22^nd December, at St Nicolas, Newbury, Nathaniel, 13^th November 1818 and John, 14^th January 1820. Kezia died aged 51, she was buried on the 19^th September 1837 at St Nicolas, Newbury).

The 1841 census records Sarah (45) living in Northbrook Street, Newbury, with her husband Nathaniel (50), a Bacon Factor and her stepson, Nathaniel (20), a Carpenter.

In 1851 Sarah (57) and Nathaniel (63), a Bacon Factor, were recorded living at 67, Northbrook Street, Newbury.

Sarah was found drowned in the river Kennet on Friday the 7^th August 1857. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 12^th August. (Age at death recorded as 60)

Nathaniel after Sarah’s death:

The 1861 census records Nathaniel (74), a Bacon Factor and his niece, Winifred Gye (17), still living at 67 Northbrook Street, Newbury.

By 1863 Nathaniel was living in a Kimber’s Almshouse with Winifred.

Nathaniel died aged 83, on the 10^th February1871. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 17^th February.

Reading Mercury

    Dated 8^th August 1857

LAMENITABLE AND FATAL ACCIDENT. – We regret to state that Mrs. Dredge, wife of Mr. Nathaniel Dredge of Northbrook-street, was found drowned in the river Kennet, a short distance above West Mills, on Friday afternoon. From the particulars which have been ascertained it appears that the deceased had for the last week or two been visiting Mrs. Pike, of Hamstead Marshall, the sister of her husband, who had been unwell, and that she came back to Newbury on Friday morning. On her proceeding to return in the afternoon, a little girl (a niece) accompanied her above West Mills, so that she must have fallen into the water very shortly after she was left. Mrs. Haines who resides near the place, but to late to be of any avail. The body was removed to the Two Brewers, to await the coroner’s inquest.

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