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Buried at gravesite LS(D)8 are the bodies of Richard and Eliza Wickens, who were long term residents of Newbury.

Richard was born in Speen in about 1851 into a family which lived at Railway Terrace in Newbury. His father was a Carpenter, a trade which Richard followed as did his older brother, Charles. By 1861, Richard’s father had died and the family had moved to 11 Trafalgar Place in Newbury, where his mother, Sarah, was registered as the head of the family. Also living there were his sister Emma and the aforementioned brother, Charles. By 1871, Richard was living at 6 Trafalgar Place still with his mother as head of the household and his brother, Charles. Both he and his brother were now Journeyman Carpenters. The census records do not show their sister, Emma, who would have been 15 by now.

By 1881, Richard was living at 4 Trafalgar Place with his wife, Eliza, who was born about 1850 in Kingsclere. Richard was still listed as a Carpenter. His mother, Sarah and brother, Charles, were still living at 6 Trafalgar Place at this time, his mother being a Charwoman and his brother still listed as a Carpenter. Richard and Eliza had no children at this time.

In 1891, Richard and Eliza were still living at 4 Trafalgar Place and had three children, Emily, 7, Winifred, 4 and Richard, 2. Richard was still a Carpenter. His brother, Charles was living at 6 Trafalgar Place where he was now listed as Head of the family and continued to work as a Carpenter. There were no other residents listed here.

In 1901 Richard and Eliza were still living at 4 Trafalgar Place but only with their son Richard who was now 12. Charles was still living at 6 Trafalgar Place with no other residents listed here.

Eliza died at home on January 5th 1918 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on January 12th, 1918 . The Newbury Weekly News announced her death as occurring “…after years of suffering, patiently borne.”

Richard died on December 24th, 1926 when he suffered heart failure from shock after “…accidentally falling in the Kennet and Avon canal.” His death was certified by coroner S.V. Penniger after an inquest held on December 28th, 1926. His death certificate listed him as a Carpenter living at 10 Kimber’s Almshouses in Newbury.

Relatives of Richard still live in the Newbury area but no other family members are buried at the Newtown Road Cemetery to the best of our knowledge.

References

1851 Census Newbury, Berks HO 107 1685

1861 Census Newbury, Berks R.G. 9/720

1871 Census Newbury, Berks R.G.10/1250

1881 Census Newbury, Berks R.G.11/1266

1891 Census Newbury, Berks R.G. 12/969

1901 Census Newbury, Berks R.G.13/1120

General Register Office Entry of Death District of Newbury 1926 2C/304

Newbury Weekly News January 10th, 1818 Births, Marriages and Deaths

Author: Doug Larsen
© Doug Larsen