John Bristow

c1847-1889

John was born in Leckhampstead, Berkshire, the son of Benjamin and Sarah Bristow (nee Parrott) who were married on the 19^th September 1847, in Brightwalton, Berkshire. (Surname recorded as Blister)

John’s father Benjamin was baptised in 1815, in Great Shefford, Berkshire, the son of George and Lydia Bristow (Surname recorded as Brister)

John’s mother Sarah was baptised on the 6^th July 1828, in Brightwalton, Berkshire, the daughter of John and Phoebe Parrott (nee Ward) who were married on the 1^st February 1819, in Brightwalton.

The 1851 census records John (3) living in Leckhampstead, with his father Benjamin (35), a Labourer, his mother Sarah (24) and his siblings, Mary (2) and James (1).

The family were still living in Leckhampstead in 1861, as follows: Benjamin (45), Sarah (36), John (13), Mary (12), James (10), all Agricultural Labourers, William (8), Edward (4) and Isaac (1)

The 1871 census records John (24) working as an Agricultural Labourer, boarding in Bath Road, Midgham, Berkshire (surname recorded as Briston on ancestry)

John Bristol married Rebeckah Knott on the 17^th September 1871, in Thatcham, Berkshire.

(Rebecca was born c1844, in Thatcham, Berkshire, the daughter of Thomas and Christiana Knott (nee George) who were married on the 11^th July 1830, in Thatcham)

John and Rebecca had the following children:

Sarah Ann, 1872

Hannah, 1873

Eliza, c1876

Edward John, 1878

Tom, c1881, baptised 6^th March 1881, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Ada, 1883

Mary Jane c1886 (died aged 2 in 1888, buried in the NRC on the 21^st April)

Emily, 1888

The 1881 census record John (34), a Labourer, living in Wharf Road, Newbury, Berkshire, with Rebecca (37) and their children, Sarah (9), Hannah (7), Eliza (5), Edward (3) and Tom (2 months).

John died aged 42, on the 22^nd February 1889, in the Newbury Workhouse. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th February.

Rebecca after John’s death:

The 1891 census records Rebecca (47) living on her own means, at 4, Caroline Place, Newbury, with her children, Anna (17), (Hannah) a General Domestic Servant, Jack (14), (Edward) Tom (11), Ada (9), Emmie (2), (Emily) and Charles (1)**

**(Charles Bristow was born in the March quarter 1891. He died aged 5 months and was buried on the 26^th June 1891, at St Mary the Virgin, Speen so was not the son of John Bristow. He was recorded as Rebecca’s son but may have been her grandson)

Rebekah remarried on the 17^th October 1891 at St Mary, Speen. Her 2^nd husband was Stephen Ward. She was widowed again in 1895.

The 1901 census records Rebecca Ward (56) and her children, Tom Bristow (20) and Ada Bristow (18), living at 13 King’s Road, Newbury.

In 1911 Rebecca (66) was recorded living at 6 Kennet Road, Newbury, with a lodger, Jane Mason (85).

The 1921 census records Rebecca (76) living alone. She was still living at 6 Kennet Road, Newbury

Rebecca died aged 83, in 1927, in Newbury.

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 25^th February 1892

In Memoriam

In memory of John Bristow, died Feb. 28, 1889. Gone but not forgotten.

(died 22^nd Feb, mistakenly recorded as the 28^th)

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