Sarah Lucas

c1814-1881

Sarah, her parents, siblings and early life:

Sarah and her twin sister Ann were born in Greenham, Berkshire they were baptised on the 26^th November 1815 along with their sister Jane at St Nicolas Church Newbury, the daughters of John and Ann Wheeler (nee Bird) who were married on the 20^th October 1811 in Greenham, Berkshire.

John and Ann also had the following children baptised at St Nicolas Newbury:

Thomas, baptised 24^th August 1817

Caroline Amelia, baptised 19^th July 1820

Charles, baptised 10^th April 1822

Sylvia, baptised 8^th December 1824

Arthur, baptised 3^rd December 1826

Frances, baptised 18^th January 1830

(Baptisms 1815-1817 record John as a Cheese Factor, baptisms 1820-1830 record him as a Shopkeeper)

In 1815 John (28), Ann (28) and their twin daughters Sarah and Ann aged 1 were living in John Hawkins Yard, Newbury.

The 1841 census records Sarah (25) as a Shop Woman living in Northbrook Street Newbury with her father John Wheeler (50) a Grocer, her mother Ann (50) a Grocer and her siblings Thomas (15) a Clerk, Caroline (15), Charles (15), Sylvia (15), Arthur (12) and Frances (9). 

Sarah’s father died aged 57 in Newbury in 1845. Her mother died aged 76 in 1862, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 9^th September.

Sarah’s later life:

Sarah married James Henry Lucas in 1843 in Newbury.

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas Church Newbury

Date: 15^th April 1843

Groom: James Henry Lucas, full age, bachelor, occupation, Draper, abode, Newbury

Bride: Sarah Wheeler, full age, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: John Lucas, a Yeoman and John Wheeler, a Dealer

Witnesses: George Stillman and John Totty Mayo

Bride and Groom both signed

 (James Henry was born on the 4^th January 1820 in Wiltshire he was baptised on the 6^th August 1820 at St James with St Stephen Trowbridge Wiltshire, the son of Louisa and John Lucas, a Farmer. James Henry was Mayor of Newbury (1863-1864). Their son Charles was Mayor of Newbury (1880-1881).

James Henry and Sarah had the following children:

Ann Louisa born 1843

Harry John born c1845

Charles born 1847

James born 1849

In 1851 James Henry (32) a Draper, Sarah (36), Anne (7), Harry (6), Charles (3), James (1), John Lucas (74) (James Henry’s father, a Retired Farmer) and Emily Allen (29) a General Servant, were recorded living in Bartholomew Street, Newbury. James Henry’s father died two years later aged 76.

The 1861 census records James Henry (41) as a Member of the Town Council and a Draper employing 1 assistant, Sarah (47), Anne (17) a Draper’s Assistant, Harry (16) a Draper’s Assistant, Charles (13), James (11), Ann Wheeler (75), (Sarah’s widowed mother) formerly a Shopkeeper, Caroline Sherry (8) (a niece) and Clara Church (20) a House Servant, living at 2 Bartholomew Street, Newbury.

The 1871 census records James Henry (51) as a Town Councillor of the Borough of Newbury, Sarah (55), Charles (23), a Solicitor and Eva Collins (17), a Domestic Servant living in Donnington Square, Newbury.

The 1881 census also records James Henry (61), a Draper and an Alderman of the Borough of Newbury, Sarah (67) and a Domestic Servant, Elizabeth A May (25), living in Donnington Square.

Sarah died aged 67 on the 18^th November 1881, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 21^st November

James Henry (71) was still living in Donnington Square in 1891, Elizabeth May (35) was still working for him but was now his Housekeeper.

James Henry died aged 79 on the 19^th July 1899 he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 24^th July

Author: C Gambles
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