James Pemberton (1839 – 1920)

                                    Susannah Pemberton (1839 – 1911)

James Pemberton was born in 1939 in Aldermaston, the son of William and Mary Ann, nee Bear, Pemberton. He was baptized on 12 May 1839 at St Mary the Virgin in Aldermaston. James was recorded with his parents and siblings in Aldermaston in the 1841 and 1851 censuses. In the 1851 census aged only 12 James was an errand boy, his father William was an agricultural labourer.

In the 1861 census James was recorded as a soldier based at the infantry barracks and hospital in New Windsor. Unfortunately, records of James’s army service have not survived so no further details are known. 

Susannah Seward was born in 1839 in Newbury, the daughter of Daniel and Ada, nee Newman, Seward. She was baptized on 17 March 1839 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Susannah was recorded with her parents and siblings in Newbury in the 1841 and 1851 censuses. In the 1861 census she was living as a servant at a mealman shop in Aldermaston and recorded as a house servant.

James and Susannah married on 13 December 1863 at St Mary the Virgin in Aldermaston. Susannah was recorded as a domestic servant residing in Aldermaston and James a carpenter living in Wootton in Hampshire at the time of the marriage.

In the 1871 census James and Susannah along with children Elizabeth Jane aged 6, William Henry aged 3 and Ada aged 1 were living at 17 Shaw Lane in Newbury with James recorded as a carpenter.

Ten years later in the 1881 census James and Susannah along with children William Henry (age 13), Ada (age 11), Annie (age 9), Jesse (age 7) and Alfred (age 5) were living at West Mills in Newbury with James still recorded as a carpenter. James was recorded at Vine’s Cottages in West Mills in the 1886 electoral register.

In the 1891 census James and Susannah along with children William Henry (age 23), Annie (age 19), Jesse (age 17), Alfred (age 15) and Elsie (age 8) were living at 3 Eton Villas, Berkeley Road in Newbury along with a nephew, two boarders and a visitor. James was recorded as a carpenter, William a steam engine fitter/maker, Jesse a groom and Alfred a baker.

James and Susannah were still living at 3 Eton Villas in the 1901 census along with daughter Elizabeth Jane aged 36, grand-daughter Maud Louisa Pemberton aged 1, a boarder and 5 visitors. James was recorded as a carpenter.

James was listed at Eton Villas in the 1903 electoral register but in 1904 he was at Lamb Cottages in Enborne Road. In the 1911 census James and Susannah were recorded at Lamb Cottages, Enborne Road in Newbury along with grandson Percy Howard Lane aged 11. James was a domestic gardener and brewer’s labourer.

Just a few months later in October 1911 Susannah died aged 72 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 20 October.

James died in October 1920 aged 81 while living at Enborne Road and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 15 October.

Author: Soper
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