1.   Steven Rozier   1866 - 1921,  Mary Ann Rosier  (nee  Gibbs)  1868 - 1950  (by Simon Brown )

Stephen Rozier was born 4^th of August 1866 at Hazel’s yard just off Bartholomew Street Newbury. His parents were Thomas Rozier (a policeman) and Ellen White.

Mary Ann Gibbs was born in Winterbourne on the 29^th of July 1868. Her parents were Caleb Gibbs (a labourer) and Mary Ann Phillips

1881 census shows  Stephen, aged 14, an errand boy living with his widowed mother Ellen Rosier and sisters Amelia and Jemima

1891 census shows at Parkwood Road, Christchurch Mary Anne Gibbs, aged 22, a domestic parlour maid resident in the house of Anne and Elizabeth Fisher

1891 census shows Stephen, aged 23, born 1868,  in Aldershot, a private in the 1st Northamptonshire regiment

1892 Stephen left the UK for Bangalore with the 1st Northamptonshire regiment, G Company resident at Bangalore, Madras, India.

1895 Stephen returned to the UK from 21 November 1895  to 20 October 1899 and was transferred to the Army Reserve on the 24^th of November 1895

1896 Stephen took the opportunity to marry Mary Ann

“Stephen Rosier, Occupation Painter, was resident in Gladstone Cottages, Newbury and married Mary Ann Gibbs, aged 27, resident in Prospect Place, Newbury on the 6^th of April 1896 at St John the Evangelist Church, Newbury.   Fathers were given as Thomas Rosier (deceased - occupation policeman) and Caleb Gibbs ( occupation labourer.)

They had 3 daughters and 4 sons (3 sons and 1 daughter reached adulthood

1899 Stephen Rozier was recalled to the army under special orders of October 1899. On the 9^th October 1899 he left UK for South Africa till 21^st of October 1899 to fight in the Second Boer War. He returned to UK 27^th of July 1900.  He was entitled to a medal for the South African campaign 1899 to 1900.

1901, 25^th January, Private Steven Rosier No. 2057 was discharged at Reading from 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment having been found medically unfit for further service.  A Total service  of 13 years 91 days. His description at the time of discharge was -   37 years and 3  months. 5 foot 7 inches high. Fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.  Tattooed with St George and Dragon on, his back, rings on his fingers and women on both arms. Trade given as painter and 3 Brixton Drive Newbury Berkshire as intended place residence.

1901, 1905 and 1910 in electoral register he is recorded as residing in Brixton Rise Dwelling House, Mayor’s lane

1911 Living in Garden Cottage, Mayor’s Lane Stephen 44 Occupation House Painter Mary Ann 42 Lillian 13 Beatrice 12 Stephen Belmont 9 Matthew 7 William Cecil jamia Jeremiah 5 and George Thomas three months

191, 1920 they were  residing 8 Denmark Place

Stephen died 17^th June 1921

Mary Ann continued to live at Denmark Place till her death 18^th June 1950 

Ref:  Rosier- Lilian tree provided by Simon Brown who has researched the family as his wife is a descendant

2.   Stephen Rosier  1866-1921 (Researched by Christine Gambles)

Stephen, his parents, siblings and early life:

Stephen and his twin brother Samuel were born in Newbury, Berkshire, (births registered in the September quarter) the sons of Thomas and Ellen Rosier (nee White) who were married in 1842 (marriage registered in the December quarter, in Newbury).

Stephen’s twin brother Samuel died soon after birth, he was buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 20^th November 1866.

Stephen’s father Thomas was born on the 27^th April 1822. He was baptised on the 19^th May 1822, at St James, Westminster, Middlesex, the illegitimate son of Charlotte Rosier (reputed father, John Baker.)

Stephen’s mother Ellen was baptised on the 9^th June 1822, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of Thomas (a Cabinet Maker) and Mary White (nee Johnson) who were married on the 31^st July 1816, at St Luke, Old Street, Finsbury, London.

Thomas and Ellen also had the following children born in Newbury:

Jeremiah, born c1843

Thomas, born 1844

Charlotte, born 1846

Ellen, born c1853

Sarah, born 1854

Matthew, born 1857 (died aged 21 in 1878, buried in the NRC on the 26^th August)

Harriet, born cc1859 (died aged 4 in 1863, buried in the NRC on the 8^th May)

Joshua, born 1860 (died aged 4 in 1865, buried in the NRC on the 4^th October)

Amelia, born c1863

Jemima, born 1868

The 1851 census records Thomas (24) as a Bricklayer, living in Elkins Yard, with Ellen (26) and their children, Jeremiah (7), Thomas (6) and Charlotte (4).

In 1861 Thomas (37), now a Policeman, was living in Hazell’s Yard, Newbury, with Ellen (38), Thomas (16), a General Labourer, Charlotte (15), Ellen (8), Sarah (6), Matthew (5), Harriet (3) and Joshua (5 months).

The 1871 census records Thomas (46) back working as a Bricklayer. He was living at 5, Lewis’ Buildings, Bartholomew Street, Newbury, with Ellen (48), Sarah (17), a Domestic Servant, Matthew (14), a White Smith, Amelia (7), Stephen (4) and Jemima (2).

Stephen’s father Thomas died aged 48, in 1872. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th May.

The 1881 census records Ellen (57), a Needlewoman, living in Bartholomew Street, Newbury, with her children, Amelia (17), a Seamstress Machinist, Stephen (14), an Errand Boy and Jemima (12).

Ellen (69) a Tailoress, was living in Pound Street, Newbury, with her married daughter Jemima Jenkins (22), a Dressmaker, her son-in-law, John Jenkins (23), a Hairdresser and her grandson, George Jenkins (1).

In 1901 Ellen (79) was living alone at 7, Bartholomew’s Almshouses, Newbury. She continued to live at 7 Bartholomew’s Almshouses until her death in 1921, She died aged 99, and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 3^rd June.

Stephen in later life:

Stephen joined the Army in 1887.

The 1891 census records Stephen (23) as a Soldier in the 1^st Northamptonshire Regt. stationed in Aldershot, Surrey.

He married in 1896

Marriage details:

Place: St John the Evangelist, Newbury

Date: 6^th April 1896

Groom: Stephen Rosier, aged 29, bachelor, occupation, Painter, abode, Newbury

Bride: Mary Ann Gibbs, aged 27, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: Caleb Gibbs, a Labourer and Thomas Rosier, a Policeman

Witnesses: Francis Albert Swain and Ada Emmans

(Mary Ann (aka Ann) was born on the 29^th July 1868, in Winterbourne, Berkshire, she was baptised in Winterbourne, on the 4^th October 1868, the daughter of Caleb and Mary Ann Gibbs (nee Phillips) who were married on the 18^th October 1866, in Winterbourne).

Stephen and Mary Ann had the following children:

Mary Elizabeth, born 1896 (died aged 4 months on the 24^th February 1897, buried in the NRC on the 27^th February)

Lilian, born 1897

Beatrice, born 1899

Stephen Belmont, born 1901

Matthew, born c1904

William Cecil Jeremiah, born 1905

George Thomas, born c1911

The 1901 census records Stephen (34), a House Painter, Mary Ann (32) and their daughters, Lilian (4) and Beatrice (3), living at 3 Brixton Rise, Newbury

In 1911 Stephen (44), a House Painter, Mary Ann (42) and their children, Lilian (13), Beatrice (12), Stephen Belmont (9), Matthew (7), William Cecil Jeremiah (5) and George Thomas (2 months), living at Garden Cottage, Mayors Lane, Newbury.

By 1921 the family were living at 8, Denmark Road, Newbury.

Stephen died aged 54 on the 17^th June 1921. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 20^th June.

Mary Ann after Stephen’s death:

The 1921 census records Mary Ann (52) living at 8 Denmark Road Newbury, with her children, Stephen Belmont (19), a House Painter, working for Camp Hopson & Co. Decorators, Matthew (17), an Errand Boy (out of work) working for Webb & Sons, Grocers, William Cecil (15) Errand Boy, (out of work) working for Plenty & Son Engineers, George Thomas (10) and Beatrice (22), a General Domestic Servant, working for a Mr. Tweedie.

Mary Ann continued to live at 8 Denmark Road, Newbury until her death in 1950. She died aged 81, on the 18^th June. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 21^st June 1950

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 23^rd June 1921

ROSIER – June 17^th 1921, at Denmark Road, Newbury, Stephen (Steve) the beloved husband of Mary Rosier, passed away after a short illness, aged 54 years. – “At Rest.”

Author: Simon Brown / Christine Gambles
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