Ruth (stillborn) Ballard

Buried 2^nd April 1887

This stillborn child’s parents were Thomas Ballard and Ruth Bradley, who were married in 1880 (marriage registered in Newbury)

The child’s family:

Thomas was born in 1855, in Curridge, Berkshire. He was baptised in 1855, in Chieveley, Berkshire, the son of Henry and Caroline Ballard (nee Pike/Pyke) who were married on the 15^th January 1845 in Oare, Berkshire.

Ruth was baptised in 1857, in Speenhamland Berkshire, the daughter of Hannah Bradley.

Ruth had an illegitimate daughter, Edith Kate, born in 1879.

Thomas and Ruth had the following children:

Thomas Henry, c1882

Ernest Edwin, 1884

Charles William, 1888

Susanna Maria, 1891

George, 1894

Florence Caroline, c1899

The 1881 census records Thomas (24), an Agricultural Labourer, Ruth (21) and Edith (2), living in Shaw Bridge, Speenhamland, Berkshire.

In 1891 Thomas (33) was working as a Bricklayer’s Labourer, living at 3 Union Court, Newbury, Berkshire, with Ruth (32), Kate (11), (Edith Kate) Thomas (10), Erney (7), (Ernest Edwin) and William (3) (Charles William)

Ruth was widowed in 1900. Thomas died aged 45, in the Newbury Workhouse, on the 18^th May. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 23^rd May.

The 1901 census records Ruth (44) and her children, Thomas (20), a Groom, Charles (12), Susanna (9), George (7) and Florence (2), living at 1, Smith’s Buildings, Newbury.

Ruth died aged 49, on the 22^nd December 1905. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 26^th December.

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