Arthur Stillman (1837 – 1915)

 Elizabeth Stillman (1830 – 1904)

Arthur was born circa 1837 in Woodspeen the son of Thomas & Dinah, nee Lee, Stillman. Elizabeth Langton was born circa 1830 in Newbury the daughter of Thomas & Mary.

In the 1841, 1851 & 1861 censuses Arthur was recorded with his parents & various siblings, in 1841 & 1851 at Kennet Place in Speen & in 1861 at 81 Bartholomew Street in Newbury. In 1861 he was recorded as a carpenter journeyman.

Elizabeth was recorded with her parents in the 1861 census living in Back Lane in Newbury.

Arthur & Elizabeth married in Q2 1865 in Newbury.

In an article in the Newbury Weekly News dated 4 March 1869 it was announced that Artur Stillman of Southampton Terrace had been appointed sexton of St John’s district church.

In the 1871 census Arthur & Elizabeth were living at 1 Southampton Terrace in Newbury with daughter Annie aged 5. Thomas was recorded as a carpenter.

Arthur appeared before the Newbury Quarter Sessions on 6 April 1877. He was accused of stealing 2s 2 & 1/2d the monies of the vicar & churchwardens of St John on 6 March 1877. He was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to nine months imprisonment with hard labour.

Arthur & Elizabeth and daughter Annie were still living at 1 Southampton Terrace in Newbury in the 1881 census with Arthur recorded as a carpenter and joiner. Annie married John Hunt of Reading on 21 July 1890 at St John in Newbury.

Arthur & Elizabeth were living at 1 Bartholomew Terrace in Newbury in the 1891 & 1901 censuses with Arthur recorded as a carpenter in 1891 & a carpenter and joiner in 1901. Also, in the household in 1901 was Jane Percy, Elizabeth’s widowed sister.

Elizabeth died July 1904 in Newbury & was buried 27 July 1904 at Newtown Road Cemetery.

In the 1911 census Arthur was still living at 1 Bartholomew Terrace with Elizabeth’s sister Jane Percy and he was recorded as a carpenter.

Arthur died March 1915 while living at 3 King Johns Almhouses & was buried 24 March 1915 at Newtown Road Cemetery. Jane Percy was also buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 16 July 1913 while still living at 1 Bartholomew Terrace.

Sources:as above