George Henry Herbert

c1833-1884

George was born in Newbury he was baptised on the 3^rd July 1833 at St Nicolas Church Newbury and was the son of David Brinn/Brind and Harriet Herbert (nee Goddard) who were married on the 1^st August 1832 at St Nicolas Church Newbury. George had a younger brother David James who was baptised on the 12^th April 1835 at St Nicolas Church Newbury. On George’s baptism record his father was recorded as David Herbert, occupation: Hairdresser.  On his brother, David’s baptism record he was recorded as David Brind Herbert, occupation: Barber’s Stylist.

George’s Father:

George’s father was born on the 23^rd July 1812, he was privately baptised on the 25^th July as David Brinn Herbert and was the son of Henry and Mary Herbert. In 1815 he was recorded (as David Herbert, aged 3) living with a David and Sarah Brind in Northcroft Lane Newbury.

On the 28^th February 1835 at the Berkshire County Assizes (Reading) Berkshire David Herbert (23) was found guilty of burglary (stealing considerable property belonging to Mr William Batchelor) together with William Bird (24) and Robert Sprague (23), all three were sentenced to death. 67 people from Newbury jointly petitioned for clemency on the grounds that it was David’s first offence. The sentences were commuted to Transportation for Life. UK Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books 1802-1849 record David being received aboard the prison hulk “Leviathan” on the 5^th May 1835 in Portsmouth. David was transported to Australia on the ship ”Recovery 3” leaving London on the 30^th October 1835, the ship arrived in New South Wales on the 25^th February 1836. William and Robert were transported on the ship “England 3” which left Portsmouth on the 8^th June 1835 arriving in Australia on the 28^th September 1835, both had previous convictions.

David was recorded as follows: Marital Status: Married, Children: 2 male, From: Berkshire, Able to read and Write: Yes, Occupation: Barber/Plumber’s Labourer, Religion: Protestant, Previous Convictions: None, Height: 5ft 4 1/2ins, Complexion: Sallow, Hair: Light Brown, Eyes: Hazel, Distinguishing Marks: Small raised mole on right cheek, woman, two children on upper, WBRS, crucifix, anchor inside lower right arm, crucifix upper, D B H H H D J H G H H, twenty seven dots inside lower left arm, A H Herbert back of left hand. (The letters D B H H H D J H G H H were his initials, his wife’s and the initials of his two sons. WBRS were the initials of William Bird and Robert Sprague).

David received a conditional pardon for good conduct on the 20^th December 1848 (the condition being that he should never return to the UK or his pardon would become void).He died aged 45 in 1857. The inquest held on the 3^rd August 1857 in Shoalhaven records the cause of death as:” Heart disease probably intemperance” it also records David as David Herbert alias David Barber.

George’s Mother:

George’s mother was born c1808 in either Newbury (as recorded in the 1851 census) or Woodhay (as recorded in the 1861 census)

Soon after her husband’s transportation Harriet formed a relationship with Charles Snow (born c1799 in Newbury) they had the following children:

Charles born 1837

Harriet born 1839

Jane Snow born 1847

John Snow born 1852 (died aged 3 in 1856 buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 11^th April)

The 1841 census records Charles Snow (40), Shoemaker, Harriet Snow (30), David Snow (6), Charles Snow (3) and Harriet Snow (2) living in the City Newbury.

Charles and Harriet were married in Newbury in 1845.

The 1851 census records Charles Snow (51), Shoemaker (Journeyman), Harriet Snow (43), David Herbert (14), (recorded as son-in-law), Harriet Herbert (12), (recorded as daughter) and Jane Snow (7), living in Mills Yard Newbury. Charles Snow (13) was not at home at the time this census was taken he was working as a Chimney Sweep and was recorded in the household of Leah Hamblin (61), Chimney Sweep, in Hamblin’s Yard Newbury.

Charles Snow died aged 63 in 1860 he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 22^nd October.

In 1861 Harriet (53), Laundress, and her daughters, Harriet (21), Laundress and Jane (14), Servant and her grandson, Henry James (2), were recorded living in Joplin’s Yard Cheap Street Newbury.

George’s mother died aged 54 in 1861 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the17th June.

In 1841 George Henry Herbert (8) was recorded as a Sweep’s Apprentice, living in Newtown Road Newbury with a George Parsons (20), Sweep, Ann Parsons (20) and William Parsons (1).

In 1851 George (17) was working as a Journeyman Chimney Sweeper, he was living in Mill Street Whitchurch Hampshire.

George married Maria Legg (born c1837 in Newbury) in 1857 in Newbury, they had the following children:

Jane Emily 1858 (died aged 2 in 1860 buried on the 6^th October in the NRC)

Alice Maria 1859

David William c1862

Mary Ann 1864 (died aged 1 in 1865buried on the 20^th September in the NRC)

Leah 1866

Harriett 1870

The 1861 census records George (28), Mason’s Labourer, Maria (24) and Alice Maria (1), living in (illegible) Yard Cheap Street Newbury.

The 1871 census records George (38), Journeyman Stone Mason, Maria (38), Alice Maria (11), David William (9), Leah Legg (4) and Harriett (8 months), living in Wither’s Yard Newbury.

The 1881 census records George (47), Stone Mason’s Labourer, Maria (44), Alice Maria (21), General Servant, David William (19), Carpenter’s  Apprentice, Leah (14), General Servant and Harriett (10) living in Waldegrave Place Newbury.

George Henry died aged 52 on the 5^th December 1884 he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 9th December

Maria continued to live in Waldegrave Place until at least 1901.The 1891 census records Maria (52) as a Shoe Binder her daughter Harriett (20), a Dressmaker was still living at home with Maria when this census was taken but by 1901 Maria was living alone.

The 1911 census records Maria (74) in the Union Workhouse Newbury. She died aged 78 in 1915 and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 6^th February.

Author: Christine Gambles
© FNRC