Albert Henry Butler (1854 – 1940)

                                    Annie Butler (1858 – 1949)

Albert Henry Butler was born on 18 May 1855 at Shoscombe in Somerset the son of Benjamin Gibbons and Emma, nee Compton, Butler. He was recorded with his parents and sister Laura aged 1 at Bickington in Devon in the 1861 census, Benjamin was a farmer of 160 acres. Ten years later in the 1871 census Albert and his parents and brother Tom aged 6 years were still living in Bickington, Benjamin by then was farming 421 acres.

In the 1881 census Albert and his parents and brother Tom aged 16 were living at Sandleford Farm, Sandleford. Benjamin was recorded as a farmer of 341 acres employing 7 men & 3 boys, Albert a farmer’s son although he was probably helping on the farm and Tom a scholar.

Annie Webb was born 10 September 1858 in Newbury, the daughter of Charles and Esther, nee Hopson, Webb. Sadly, Esther died on 9 March 1863 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 16 March. In the 1871 and 1881 census Annie was living with her father Charles and his third wife Mary at 50 Northbrook Street in Newbury, Charles was a grocer. Charles died in March 1910 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 29 March.

Albert Butler married Annie Webb on 28 October 1885 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Newbury. They had a daughter Kathleen on 7 April 1887 and a son Stanley Webb on 3 June 1890, both born at Sandleford.

Then in March 1893 Albert and Annie had a stillborn child who was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 18 March 1893.

In the 1891, 1901 and 1911 censuses Albert Henry and Annie and their surviving two children were recorded living at Sandelford Farm with Albert a farmer. The 1911 census recorded they were living in a house with nine rooms.

Albert and Annie’s son Stanley died 28 March 1916 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 31 March 1916. He was recorded as living at Warren Farm in Newbury.

In the 1921 census Albert and Annie were still living at Sandleford Farm with one domestic servant, Albert was still a farmer.

When the National Register was compiled in September 1939 Albert and Annie were recorded at Sandleford Farm with their daughter in law May Butler, her son Stanley and their daughter Kathleen Roberts and three of her children. Albert was now a retired farmer. May’s occupation was poultry woman, Stanley a farmer, Kathleen’s children were students while Annie and Kathleen were carrying out domestic duties.

Albert died 14 June 1940 while living at Sandleford Farm. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 18 June 1940. He left a will and probate was granted on 6 August 1940 at Oxford to his daughter Kathleen Robets and his grandson Stanley Douglas Butler. The value of the estate was £4,075 5s 6d.

Annie died 17 July 1949 while living at Hornbeam Cottage, Burys Bank Road in Greenham. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 20 July 1949. She also left a will and probate was granted on 9 March 1950 at Oxford to her daughter Kathleen Robets and her daughter in law May Butler. The value of the estate was £2,611 12s 10d.

Albert’s parents were also buried at Newtown Road Cemetery. His father Benjamin Gibbons Butler was buried on 25 June 1887 and his mother Emma on 29 March 1876.

Author: Soper
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