Henry Oliver (1858 — 1918)

Elizabeth Oliver (1868 - 1934)

Henry Oliver was born in 1858.in Driffield in Yorkshire, the son of James and Eliza, nee Hornley, Oliver. He was recorded with his parents and siblings in Driffield in the 1861 census, his father James was recorded as a painter's labourer.

In the 1871 census Henry was living with his widowed mother Eliza in Cross Hill in Driffield with three siblings Ellen aged 10, Eliza aged 8 & Clara aged 6. Henry was recorded as a scholar and Eliza. as a charwoman.

Ten years later in the 1881 census Henry was still living with his widowed mother Eliza and four siblings in Driffield with Henry recorded as a printer and compositor.

By the time of the 1891 census Henry had moved to Newbury and he was recorded as a boarder in Russell Road with an occupation of printer and stationer. A few months later on 3 October 1891 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Fareham Henry married Elizabeth (also known as Bessie) Whiteman.

Elizabeth was born in 1868 in Funtley near Fareham, the daughter of Thomas and Mary, nee Beames, Whiteman. She was baptized on 26 January 1868 at St Peter and Paul in Fareham. In the 1871 census Elizabeth was living with her parents and two siblings in Little London near Fareham, her father Thomas was a farmer of 16 acres. Ten years later in the 1881 census Elizabeth with her parents and four siblings was living at 9 High Street in Fareham and her father Thomas was a bailiff. In the 1891 census Elizabeth was recorded as a visitor at 18 Duke Street in Reading her occupation was a draper's assistant.

In the 1901 census Henry and Elizabeth with daughter Dorothy aged 4 were living with in Broad Street in Thatcham, Henry was recorded as a printer and stationer. In the 1911 census Henry, Elizabeth and Dorothy were living at 114 Bartholomew Street in Newbury with Henry now recorded as a printer and stationer, toy dealer and shopkeeper while Dorothy was recorded as still being at school.

Henry was closely involved with the Wesleyan church and he held various positions with them over the years. In January 1892 at a meeting of the Christian Temperance Band he was mentioned as the president. Later that year in June 1892 at a meeting of the Wesleyan Temperance Society he was recorded as the circuit temperance secretary. In September 1900 when a new minister arrived in Newbury he was mentioned as being the senior circuit steward.

Henry died 6 January 1918 while living at Carisbrooke, Clifton Road in Newbury and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 11 January 1918. He left a will and probate was granted 27 March 1918 at Oxford to his widow Elizabeth, the value of the estate was £3,695 19s 5d.

Elizabeth died 31 May 1934 at The Mead, Lower Green in Inkpen while living at St Kilda, London Road in Newbury. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 2 June 1934. She left a will and probate was granted 2 August 1934 at Oxford to her daughter Dorothy }Ell, the value of the estate was £671 19s ld.

The ashes of Henry and Elizabeth's daughter Dorothy Jessamine Hill were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 13 July 1974.

Author: C Gambles
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