John Skinner (1820 — 1902)
Eliza Skinner (1818 —1896)

John Skinner was born circa 1820 in Newbury the son of John and Elizabeth Skinner. In the 1841 census John was living with his parents John and Elizabeth and seven siblings at Greenham Mills, his father John was recorded as a weaver.


Ernest married Eliza Bradley in 1842 in Newbury. Eliza was born circa 1818 in Greenham, the daughter of Richard and Ann Bradley. Eliza was recorded with her parents and five siblings in Stroud Green in the 1841 census, her father Richard was recorded as a watchman.
In the 1851 census John and Eliza were living in Stroud Green with children John aged 8, Henry aged 7, William aged 4 and Richard aged 2. John was recorded as a hatter.
Ten years later in the 1861 census John and Eliza were still living in Stroud Green with children Henry aged 17, William aged 14, Richard aged 12, Charles aged 9, Harriett aged 7, Ann aged 5 & Frederick aged 2. John was still a hatter and son Henry a tallow chandler.
John and Eliza were still in Stroud Green in the 1871 census with son Frederick aged 12 and daughter Jane aged 7 with John still a hatter. John, Eliza and daughter Jane were recorded in Stroud Green in 1881 along with Eliza's brother Richard Bradley. Jane was a dressmaker and John still a hatter. Jane married Ernest Henry Hill on 13 July 1890 at St John in Newbury.
In the 1891 census John and Eliza were living by themselves at Wakefield Cottages in Greenham with John still working as a hatter.

Eliza died October 1896 aged 78 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 30 October 1896. John was recorded living by himself in the 1901 census at 9 Church Almhouses in Newbury and by now he was a retired hatter.
John died December 1902 aged 82 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 17 December 1902, he was still living at 9 Church Almhouses. John and Eliza' daughter Jane Hill was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 26 February 1937.

Author: C Gambles
©