Agnes Emma Fitch

1876-1950

Agnes Emma, her parents, siblings and early life:

Agnes Emma was born on the 7^th January 1876, she was baptised on the 6^th February 1876, at St John, Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, the daughter of Alfred Albert and Elizabeth Ann Ford (nee Clark) who were married in 1871 in Dorset.

Her father Alfred was born c1851 in Radipole, Dorset, the son of George and Esther Ford (formerly Bartlett, nee Gale) who were married in 1850 in Dorset.

Her mother Elizabeth Ann was born c1851 in Melcombe Regis, Dorset, the daughter of Charles and Amelia Clark (nee Clare) who were married in 1839 in Dorset.

George Alfred, born 1871 in Dorset

Charles Henry, born 1873 in Dorset

The following children baptised at St John Melcombe Regis, Dorset:

Jessie Alice, 24^th March 1875

Frederick Albert, 23^rd May 1877

Arthur Edward, 23^rd October 1878

Ernest Robert, 7^th November 1880 (died aged 1 in 1881)

Elizabeth Ann, 17^th August 1881

Edith Henrietta, 24^th January 1883

Walter Ernest, 16^th November 1884

The 1881 census records Alfred (30) as an Engine Driver living at 3 Penny Street, Melcombe Regis with Elizabeth (30), George A. (9), Charles H. (8), Jessie A. (6), Agnes E. (5), Frederick A. (4) and Arthur E. (2).

By 1886 the family had moved to Wales.

Elizabeth gave birth to the following children:

Edwin Stephen, c1886

Mabel Esther Sarah Amelia, 1888

Harry James 1890

Florence Hester 1892

The 1891 census records Alfred (40) as a Railway Engine Driver, living at 7 West Street, Newcastle Higher, Glamorgan, with Elizabeth (41), George (19) a Railway Engine Fireman, Charles (18) a Sawyer, Jessie (16), Agnes (15), Frederick (14), an Engine Fitter, Arthur (12), Elizabeth (9), Edith (8), Walter (6), Edwin (5), Mabel (2) and Harry (1).

Agnes Emma in later life:

Agnes Emma married in 1897

Marriage details:

Place: St Laurence, Reading, Berkshire

Date: 25^th December 1897

Groom: William Edward Fitch, aged 22, bachelor, occupation, Music Dealer, abode, Duke Street

Bride: Agnes Emma Ford, aged 22, spinster, abode, Duke Street

Fathers: William Fitch, a Music Dealer and Alfred Albert Ford, an Engine Driver

(William Edward was born in 1876, in Bow, Middlesex, the son of William and Maria Elizabeth Fitch (nee Parker), who were married on the 20^th February 1870 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Ilford, Essex).

William Edward and Agnes Emma had the following two children:

William Alfred, born 1899, in Newbury

Ernest Frank, born 1903, in Newbury

The 1901 census records William (26) as a Musical Instrument Agent/Salesman, living at 38 Bartholomew Street, Newbury with Agnes (26) and their son William Alfred aged 21 months.

In 1911 William (35), Agnes (35) and their sons, William Alfred (11) and Ernest Frank (7), were recorded living at 64 York Road, Newbury. William was recorded as a Pianist, working at the Newbury Picture Palace Ltd.

(The Newbury Picture Palace was situated on the west side of Northbrook Street, Newbury (number 58, now (2025) Hamptons Estate Agents).

The 1921 census again records the family living at 64 York Road, Newbury. William (45) was recorded as a Musical Director (Pianist), at Newbury Picture Palace Co. Ltd, Agnes (45) was recorded as a Housewife, William Alfred (21) was recorded as an Out of Work Cinematograph Operator, at Newbury Picture Palace Co. Ltd and Ernest Frank (17) was recorded as a Lorry Lad, working for Anglo American Oil Co.

William died aged 56 in 1932. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th September.

Agnes Emma continued to live in York Road until 1936. She then moved to 34 Stanley Road, Newbury.

Agnes died aged 75 on the 30^th September 1950. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 4^th October

Author: gambles
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