Mitchell Alexander Phillips (1883 – 1959)

                                    Louisa Isabel Phillips (1885 – 1966)

                                    Alec Phillips (1916 – 1940)

Mitchell Alexander Phillips was born on 6 August 1883 in Withington in Lancashire, the son of Michael and Louisa, nee Brewer, Phillips. In the 1891 census Mitchell was recorded with his parents and two siblings in Withington, his father was a gardener. Ten years later in the 1901 census Mitchell was living as a servant in Chorlton cum Hardy in Lancashire, his occupation was errand boy.

Mitchell married Louisa Isabel Mathews in 1911 in Bucklow district in Cheshire. Louisa was born on 22 March 1885 in Ashton on Mersey, the daughter of William and Mary. In the 1891 census Louisa was recorded living with her parents and siblings in Ashton on Mersey, her father William was a coachman. In the 1901 census Louisa was recorded living as a servant in Bucklow in Cheshire, her occupation was kitchen maid.

At present Mitchell and Louisa have not been found in the 1911 census, which was taken only a few weeks before their marriage.

Mitchell and Louisa had 3 children who were all born in St Asaph, Charles (born 1914), Alec (1916) and Edwin (1920).

In the 1921 census Mitchell was recorded living at Mill Cottage, Wigfair near St Asaph in Wales. He was recorded as being married and his occupation was motor driver. Louisa was recorded as a visitor at 41 Southern Road in Ashton upon Mersey along with her sons Alec aged 4 years and 11 months and Edwin aged 19 months who were both born in St Asaph. The head of the house was her father William Mathews who was a warehouseman, her mother Mary was also recorded along with her sister Phyllis and other relatives.

Mitchell and Louisa seemed to have moved around as from 1922 to 1926 they were recorded in the electoral register at Gresley Cottage in Sheepy Magna in Leicestershire. They then moved to Berkshire and from 1927 to 1936 they were recorded in Boxford. In 1937 they were recorded at Basildon, Chandos Road in Newbury.

When the national register was compiled in September 1939 Mitchell and Louisa along with their son Alec were living at 40 Chandos Road in Newbury. Mitchell was a chauffeur and Alec a bookstall clerk. Also living in the house was Louisa Phillips who was born on 27 May 1922, was single and a boot shop assistant.

Alec died on 1 March 1940 aged 24 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 6 March. He left a will and probate was granted on 21 May 1940 at Oxford to his father Mitchell Alexander Phillips. The value of the estate was £245 7s.

Mitchell died on 19 January 1959 at Newbury District Hospital aged 74 and his ashes were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 January. He left a will and probate was granted on 3 February 1959 at Oxford to his widow Louisa Isabel Phillips and Eric Richard Colwill, a solicitor. The value of the estate was £2432 17s 6d.

Louisa died on 13 February 1966 in Newark Hospital aged 82 and her ashes were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 20 April 1966.

Author: soper
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