Thomas Hedges Stillman (1847 – 1925)

                              Elizabeth Stillman (1850 – 1914)

Thomas Hedges Stillman was born in 1847 and Elizabeth in 1850 both in Newbury with parents William and Sarah Ann (nee Purver) Stillman.

 In the 1851 and 1861 censuses Thomas and Elizabeth were living with their parents and other siblings in Bartholomew Street in Newbury, they were both recorded as scholars in 1861.

Ten years later in 1871 Thomas was again recorded with his parents in the census along with four siblings living at 6 West Fields in Newbury. Thomas was recorded as a grocer’s shopman. Elizabeth was staying at Marsh Cottage in Newbury with her aunt Elizabeth Purver as the head of the house. Elizabeth was a dress maker.

 In the 1881 census Thomas and Elizabeth were recorded living at 133 Bartholomew Street in Newbury with Thomas a grocer employing two men and Elizabeth a dressmaker. Thomas and Elizabeth were still living at the same address in the 1891 census although their parents had now moved in as well. Thomas was a grocer, his father William a carrier but Elizabeth had no occupation recorded.

Just after the turn of the century in 1901 Thomas and Elizabeth were living at Brynafon in Kennet Road in Newbury along with their father William. Thomas was a now a school attendance officer with William living on his own means.

After another ten years in 1911 Thomas and Elizabeth were still living at Brynafon in Kennet Road with their sister Sarah Emeline. Thomas was still a school attendance officer with both sisters recorded as being with private means.

 Elizabeth died 18 February 1914 in Newbury while living at Marsh Cottage and was buried 23 February 1914 at Newtown Road Cemetery. She left a will and probate was granted 5 August 1914 at Oxford to her sister Sarah Emeline. The value of the estate was £618 14s 4d.

 Thomas died 15 September 1925 in Newbury while living at Marsh Cottage and was buried 19 September 1925 at Newtown Road Cemetery. He left a will and probate was granted 29 October 1925 at Oxford to his sister Sarah Emeline. The value of the estate was £996 3s 4d.

 Thomas and Elizabeth’s parents were also buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, William on 10 January 1905 and Sarah Ann on 28 October 1903. In addition, so were three of their siblings Alice on 12 April 1879, Mary Jane on 10 October 1884 and Sarah Emeline on 10 September 1937. Their brother Purver William Stillman died 30 April 1892 in a hospital in Fairhaven, Washington, United States of America and a memorial was erected at Newtown Road Cemetery in his memory.

Sources:as above