Alice Hill   1867 to 1885

She was born on 6 February 1867 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Her mother's maiden name was Hunt and she was born in Retford, Nottinghamshire, the daughter of John Hunt, a master shoemaker from Gainsborough. Her mother, Mary Ann Hunt, married William Hill in 1858 (1Q) in Gainsborough. From the 1861 census she is recorded living in the village of Morton near Gainsborough. She is described as a waterman's wife looking after their son William Henry aged 2 (born 4Q 1858) and George King, a visitor, aged 3. Her husband William is not recorded. Their first daughter Annie was born in 1863 4Q.

William Hill died aged 33 years in 1869 (2Q) in Gainsborough. Two years later Alice's mother married William Kenham on 26 October 1871. He was a widower from Doncaster with one child Louisa born on 11 November 1868. His wife Sarah Ann (née Levitt) had died on 19 July 1871. His occupation was boilermaker. Gainsborough was the manufacturing base of Marshall, Sons & Co., boilermakers.

From the 1881 census it appears that Mary Ann's children by William Hill adopted the surname of Kenham.

Mary Ann and William Kenham had four children: Mary born 1872 Lincoln; Frederick in 1873 (3Q); Walter in 1876 (2Q) and Mabel in 1877 (4Q) - all 3 born in Greenham.  She also had a stillborn child buried in NRC (Unnamed Kenham)

In 1872 William Kenham joined Plenty & Son as a foreman boiler-smith where he remained for 14 years before taking over the premises of F. H. Bagge & Co. of Greenham on 31 May 1886 and setting up his own business of repair work from boilers and engines to agricultural machinery etc.

Alice's brother William Henry Hill died aged 18 years on 28 September 1877 and he was buried in the Cemetery on 2 October.

Alice enrolled into the Girls British School on 23 June 1879 but withdrew on 25 March 1881 as she was wanted at home. Her sister Annie had previously enrolled on 18 November 1872 but left because she was wanted also at home. Their stepsisters Louisa and Mary also attended the same school. The family residence at the time was The Folly, Greenham.

In 1881 Alice (age 14) and her sister Annie (age 16) were dressmakers. From the electoral roll of 1885 her stepfather was listed at living at Malford Villas, Greenham.

On 31 May 1885 Alice died at home at 2 Malford Villas at the age of 18 years after a long and painful illness. She was buried on 4 June. The burial was conducted by the Rev. George Beale, Primitive Methodist Minister. Her stepfather was Chapel Steward at the Stroud Green Chapel.

Her death was registered in the name of Alice Hill and her death announcement in the name of Alice Hill Kenham.

From the 1891 census her mother together with Mary, Walter and Mabel were living in Bedford. Her husband William a marine boilersmith and their son Frederick were lodging in Stockton-on-Tees.

Her mother died aged 61 in September 1900 in Stockton-on-Tees. Her stepfather returned to Doncaster where he held the office of Town Crier for 10 years. He remarried to Mary Blake in 1901 (3Q) and they ran a tobacconist's shop. He died on 2 May 1909 aged 66 years.

No Mrs. P. Code

Sources: Birth Index 1867 (1Q); Marriage Index 1858 (1Q) of her parents; 1871/1881 census; Her mother2nd marriage to William Kenham 26/10/1871; School Admission Registers & Log Books; Electoral Roll dated 1885; Death Index 2Q 1885

Newspaper Announcements:  Newspaper: Newbury Weekly News Date: 25 June 1885 DEATHS

KENHAM — May 31, at 2, Malford-villas, Greenham after a long and painful illness, Alice Hill Kenham. Her end was peace.

Author: Soper
©