Thomas Willis (1851 — 1923)

Mary Julia Willis (1856 — 1927) 

Thomas Willis was born in 1851 and his sister Mary Julia in 1856, both were born in in Newbury. Their parents were Thomas and Hannah, nee Cox, Willis.
In the 1861 census Thomas and Mary were living with their parents at 6 Bartholomew Street in Newbury, their father was recorded as a master bootmaker employing 2 men and 4 boys. Thomas and Mary with their parents were still living in the same house in 1871 along with another younger brother Ernest Richard aged 4. Both Thomas senior and junior were bootmakers with Thomas senior employing 2 men and 4 boys.
Ten years later in the 1881 census Thomas and Mary were still living in Bartholomew Street with their parents. Both Thomas senior and junior were bootmakers and Mary Julia a dressmaker.
Their father Thomas died 11 November 1883 while living at Raymond's new Almhouses and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 16 November 1883.
Thomas and Mary were living with their mother Hannah at 135 Bartholomew Street in the 1891 census with Thomas recorded as a bootmaker.
Hannah died 19 February 1896 while still living in Bartholomew Street and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 February 1896.
Thomas and Mary were living together at 134 Bartholomew Street in Newbury in the 1901 census with Thomas recorded as a bootmaker and Mary as a housekeeper. Ten years later in 1911 they were still at the same address with Thomas now a boot dealer and maker while Mary was still a housekeeper.
In the 1920 electoral register Thomas and Mary were recorded at 135 Bartholomew Street but from 1921 to 1923 they were recorded at number 134.
Thomas died 22 July 1923 while living at 134 Bartholomew Street and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 27 July 1923. He left a will and probate was granted on 18 August 1923 at Oxford to Mary Julia. The value of the estate was £1,222 7s.
In the 1924 electoral register Mary was recorded at 35 Salcombe Road in Newbury. Mary died 1 October 1927 while still living in Salcombe Road and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 5 October 1927.

She did not leave a will but administration of her estate was granted on 7 October 1927 at Oxford to James Reynolds, a retired coal merchant. The value of the estate was £342 3s 9d.
Two brothers of Thomas and Mary were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, William Arthur on 5 February 1885 and Ernest Richard on 1 March 1911.

Author: soper
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