Edwin Charles Geater

1865-1902

Edwin Charles, his parents, sibling and early life:

Edwin Charles was born in Newbury, Berkshire. He was baptised on the 16^th July 1865, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the son of George and Elizabeth Geater (nee Jones) who were married on the 26^th January 1856, in Overton, Hampshire.

Edwin’s father George and his twin brother Thomas, were baptised on the 28^th August 1820, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, Berkshire, the sons of Lawrence and Mary Geater (nee Blackman) who were married on the 29^th July 1811, in East Woodhay, Hampshire. (Both were from Newbury)

Edwin’s mother Elizabeth was baptised on the 18^th September 1836, in Ellisfield, Hampshire, the daughter of David and Ann(e) Jones (nee Duck) who were married on the 18^th January 1834, in Ellisfield. (David was a widower. Possible 1^st wife Mary Kimber, married 5^th Jan. 1832, in Chilton Candover, Hampshire. (David was from Ellisfield). Mary died aged 22, buried 17^th December 1833 in Ellisfield)

Edwin’s siblings were:

George William, born 1856, in Overton, Hampshire

David, c1860, baptised 1^st April 1860, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Lizzie Alice, 1866, baptised (as Elizabeth Alice) 10^th February 1867, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Eli James, c1869, baptised 4^th April 1869, at St Nicolas, Newbury

In his early life Edwin’s father George worked as an Agricultural Labourer. By 1856 he was working as a Hawker, by 1861 he was blind.

The 1861 census records George (40), Elizabeth (24), a Laundress, George William (4), David (1) and George’s married brother Charles (38), a General Labourer, living in Union Chapel Yard, Newbury.

In 1871 Elizabeth (34), was Mangling (presumably operating a laundry mangle) to support her family, George (50), David (11), Edwin Charles (6), Elizabeth Alice (4) and Eli James (2), who were living in Gibbs Yard, Bartholomew Street, Newbury.

The 1881 census records George (60), Elizabeth (44), a Charwoman/Cook, David (21), a Gas Fitter & Locksmith, Edwin Charles (15), a General Labourer, Elizabeth Alice (14), an unemployed Nursemaid and Eli James, an Errand Boy, living in Howard Place, Newbury.

Edwin Charles in later life:

Edwin married in 1887

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas Church Newbury

Date: 17^th April 1887

Groom: Edwin Charles Geater, aged 21, bachelor, occupation, Labourer, abode, Newbury

Bride: Rosannah Hunt, aged 21, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: George Geater, a Labourer and Daniel Hunt, a Fogger

Witnesses: David Geater and Sarah Stillman

(Rosanna was born c1866, she was baptised on the 1^st April 1866, in Ecchinswell, Hampshire, the daughter of Daniel and Lucy Hunt (nee North) who were married on the 14^th February 1857, in Kingsclere, Hampshire)

Edwin and Rosannah had the following children:

Edwin David, 1887

Elizabeth Louise Rose, c1889

Albert James, 1891

Edith May, 1893

Alice Winifred, 1895

Daisy Ellen, 1898

Thomas George, 1900

Edwin’s father George died aged 69 in 1890, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 5^th July.

(Edwin’s mother Elizabeth remarried later that year, her 2^nd husband was William Ayres. In 1891 William Ayres (54), a Gardener, Elizabeth (54), William’s daughter Rhoda Emily Ayres (14) and his grandson, Charles Henry Ayres (1), were recorded living at 1 Howard Place, Newbury. Elizabeth died aged 63, on the 24^th March 1900, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th March.)

The 1891 census records Edwin (25), a Bricklayer, Rose (25) and their children, Edwin (3), Elizabeth (2) and Albert, (1 week), living in Old Newtown Road, Newbury.

In 1901 Edwin (36), a Bricklayer, was recorded lodging with William Hopkins (24) and his wife Eliza Hopkins (25), in East Woodhay, Hampshire.

Edwin died aged 36, in the Newbury Hospital, on the 1^st January 1902, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road, Cemetery, with his father George and his aunt, Martha Geater, on the 4^th January.

The 1911 census records Rosanna (45) as a Patient in the Berkshire County Lunatic Asylum, in Cholsey, Berkshire (recorded as R. Geoter on ancestry).

In 1901 Edwin and Rosanna’s children were recorded as visitors/boarders in other people’s homes. No record found for Rosanna in 1901 so it’s possible Rosanna was in the Lunatic Asylum when the 1901 census was taken.

Rosanna died aged 53, in 1918, she was buried on the 16^th March, at St Mary Cholsey.

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 2^rd January 1902

GEATER – Jan. 1, at Newbury Hospital, Edwin Charles Geater, aged 36 years.

Mrs P’s     Page 121    Code LN(J) 15

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