Brice Edward Higgs (1866 – 1913)

Annie Georgina Higgs (1875 – 1944)

Brice Edward Higgs was born in Newbury in 1866 the son of Thomas and Mary, nee Garlick, Higgs. In the 1871 census Brice was living with his parents and seven siblings at 3 Cheap Street in Newbury. Thomas was a stationer. Subsequently in the 1881 census Brice was still living with his parents and now three siblings at 33/4 Cheap Street. Brice was a scholar and his father Thomas still a stationer. Ten years later in the 1891 census Brice was recorded with his brother Herbert, head of the house, and sister Elizabeth in High Street, Hungerford. Brice and Herbert were both working as grocers.

Brice married Annie Georgina Jessett in 1893 in Hungerford district. Annie was born on 27 October 1874 in Eddington, Hungerford. She was baptized on 17 January 1875 at St Lawrence in Hungerford, the daughter of Thomas and Ann Maria, nee Ruddle, Jessett of Eddington, Thomas was recorded as an inn keeper.

Annie was recorded living with her parents and three siblings in the 1881 census at the Royal Exchange in Park Street in Hungerford. Her father Thomas was a publican and mother Ann a laundress. Thomas died in June 1884 and was buried at St Lawrence in Hungerford on 30 June. A few years later in the 1891 census Annie wase still living in the Royal Exchange along with her mother and four siblings and seven boarders. Annie’s mother was the innkeeper while Annie was recorded as a barmaid and a domestic servant.

In the 1901 census Brice and Annie along with son Walter George aged 7 were living in Park Street in Hungerford with Brice a grocer’s assistant.

Ten years later in the 1911 census Brice and Annie along with sons Edward Lionel aged 4 and Arthur Douglas Bertram aged 2 and Brice’s brother Herbert were living at 96 Gloucester Road in Newbury. Brice was a hardware shop assistant.

Brice died in April 1913 aged 46 still living at 96 Gloucester Road and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 15 April.

Annie continued to live at 96 Gloucester Road and was recorded there with her two sons Edward and Arthur in both the 1921 census and the National Register taken in September 1939.

Annie died on 10 December 1944 still living at 96 Gloucester Road and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 13 December. She did not leave a will but administration of her estate was granted on 6 March 1945 at Llandudno to her son Walter George. The value of the estate was £149 9s 9d. 

Brice and Annie’s son Arthur Douglas Bartram Higgs and his wife Doris Mary Higgs were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 15 July 1981 and 10 January 1985 respectively.

Brice’s parents Thomas and Mary Higgs were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 23 June 1887 and 7 December 1887 respectively. In addition, eight of his siblings were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, Frederick, John, Walter, William Henry, Herbert, Thomas Farr, Arthur and Elizabeth Ann who were buried on 10 January 1893, 23 December 1902, 29 November 1904, 25 June 1913, 8 January 1915, 10 July 1919, 1 April 1924 and 1 February 1936 respectively.

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