Sarah Botsford

1839-1927

Sarah was born in 1839, in Ampthill, the daughter of John and Amy Whitbread (nee Bloys) who were married on the 4^th October 1832, at St Peter, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Her father John was a Cooper. He was born on the 5^th June 1807, in Pulloxhill, Bedfordshire. He was baptised (non- conformist) on the 20^th March 1810, with his siblings, George, (born, 16^th July 1802) Mary, (born, 27^th December 1803) and Josiah, (born 13^th September 1809) the children of Ambrose and Mary Whitbread (nee Field) who were married on the 22^nd September 1801, at All Saints, Willian, Hertfordshire.

Sarah’s mother Amy was baptised on the 1^st July 1812, in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, the daughter of Benjamin and Han(nah) Blois (nee Roberts) who were married on the 24^th April 1804, St Peter, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (surname recorded as Bolys at time of marriage, Benjamin was from the parish of Chartham).

John and Amy also had the following children:

John Benjamin born 7^th June 1833, baptised 20^th October 1833

Benjamin, born 12^th February 1835, Baptised 28^th June 1835

Betsy, born c1837

In 1841 John (30), Amy (25) and their children, Benjamin (4), Betsy (4) and Sarah (2), were living in Sluts End, Ampthill, Bedfordshire.

(Sluts End is the historic former name for Mill Street (and parts associated with Woburn Street) in Ampthill, Bedfordshire)

In 1851 Sarah (12) was recorded living in Dunstable Street, Ampthill, with her father John (40), a Journeyman Cooper, her mother Amy (38), a Bonnett Sewer, her brothers John (17), a Cooper’s Apprentice and Benjamin (16), a Carpenter’s Apprentice and her sister, Betsy (14), a Bonnet Sewer.

By 1861 Sarah (22) and her sister Elizabeth (24), both Straw Hat Sewers, were lodging in the High Street, Dunstable, with Anne Billing (40), a Dressmaker. Her parents were living in Bedford Street, when the census for this year was taken. They continued to live in Bedford Street until 1881.

Sarah’s father died aged 78, in 1887, He was buried on the 25^th February in Ampthill.

The 1891 and 1901 census records record Sarah’s mother Amy living on her own means, in Albion Place, Ampthill.

By 1902 Amy was living in Newbury. She died aged 92, in 1904 and was buried on the 1^st July, at St Mary the Virgin, Speen.

Sarah in later life:

Sarah married in 1861

Marriage details:

Place: St John the Baptist, Hoxton, Hackney, Middlesex

Date: 4^th September 1861

Groom: Henry Botsford, full age, bachelor, occupation, Builder’s Clerk, abode, Forston Street, Hoxton

Bride: Sarah Whitbread, full age, spinster, abode, Forston Street, Hoxton

Fathers: William Botsford, a Carpenter and John Whitbread, a Cooper

Witnesses: Benjamin Bloys Whitbread and Frances Botsford

(Henry was baptised 12^th February 1836, in Woburn, the son of William and his 2^nd wife, Phoebe Botsford (nee Blencowe)).

Henry and Sarah had the following children:

Henry, c1863, in London

Sarah Elizabeth, 1865, in Wandsworth (died 1865)

Elizabeth, c1867, in Wandsworth

Amy born 13^th September1869, baptised 28^th November 1869 in Hertingfordbury (died age 1, in 1870)

William, c1871, in Hertford

John, c1873, in Hertford

Amy, 1874, in Henley oh Thames

Edith, 1877, in Newbury (died aged 15 months, buried in the NRC on the 5^th October 1878)

The 1871 census records Henry (35) as a Clerk of Building Works, living in Cole Green, Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire, with Sarah (32) and their children, Henry (8), Elizabeth (4), Amy (1) and William (3 weeks).

By 1881 Henry (45), a Builder’s Clerk, Sarah (42), Henry (18), a Printer’s Compositor, Elizabeth (14), a Pupil Tracher, William (10), John (8) and Amy (6), were living at 9 Shaw Crescent, Newbury, Berkshire.

The 1891 census records Henry (55), a Builder, living in Oxford Street, Newbury, with Sarah (52), Amy (16), a Draper’s Shop Assistant and a visitor, Minnie Thorne (16), a Dressmaker.

In 1892, due to ill health, Henry gave up his building business.

Henry died on the 4^th May 1893. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 6^th May.

The 1901 census records Sarah (62), living on her own means, at Oxford Cottages, Speenhamland, Newbury, Berkshire. Her daughter Amy (26) was still living with her and was also living on her own means. They were still living on their own means in Oxford Cottages (number 4) when the 1911 and 1921 census records were taken.

Sarah died aged 88, on the 13^th August 1927, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 16^th August with her husband Henry.

Probate: BOTSFORD Sarah of Oxford-cottage Speenhamland Newbury Berkshire widow died 13^th August 1927 Probate Oxford 26^th October to Elizabeth Elder widow and Amy Botsford spinster Effects: £3472 16s 2d

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 18^th August 1927

BOTSFORD – August 13^th, at Oxford-cottage, Speenhamland, Sarah Botsford, aged 88 years.

Mrs P’s     Page 109    Code LN 26

Author: gambles
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