Robert Stevens (1812 – 1893)

                                    Maria Stevens (1802 – 1894)

                                    Charles Stevens (1837 – 1904)

                                    Elizabeth Stevens (1841 – 1915)

Robert Stevens was born circa 1812 in Burghclere, the son of Henry and Mary Ann Stevens. He was baptized on 16 August 1812 at All Saints in Burghclere. He married Maria Edwards on 4 December 1834 at St Mary in Kintbury. Maria was born circa 1802 in Hungerford the daughter of John and Elizabeth, nee House, Edwards. She was baptized on 13 June 1802 at St Lawrence in Hungerford.

Robert and Maria had a number of children in Highclere and Burghclere but most died as infants. Only two survived to the 1841 census. The eldest was Charles who was born circa 1837 in Highclere and was baptized on 20 April 1837 at St Michael and All Angels in Highclere. The youngest was Elizabeth who was born in Highclere in 1841 and baptized on 23 May 1841 at All Saints in Burghclere.

In the 1841 census Robert and Maria along with Charles and Elizabeth were living in Highclere.

Ten years later in the 1851 census Robert, Maria, Charles and Elizabeth were recorded at Weir near Dulverton in Somerset. Robert was recorded as a superintendent to tradesman.

The family were still living in Weir in 1861 with Robert an under steward and Charles an assistant. They were employed by the Earl of Carnavon who had purchased Pixton Park near Dulverton in 1858.

Robert and Maria with children Charles and Elizabeth were recorded at Weir House in the 1871 and 1881 censuses with Robert a bailiff and Charles an accountant in both censuses.

Robert was presented with an engraved silver tea service in November 1883 on his retirement as steward to the Earl of Carnavon for over 35 years. He was also given an engraved spirit stand.

Charles was still living in Weir House when the 1891 census was taken and recorded as an estate agent. Also, in the house was Bessie Wills aged 37 and a general domestic servant from Devon.

Robert and Maria with daughter Elizabeth had moved to Newbury by the time of the 1891 census and were living at 2 Waterloo Villa in Craven Road along with a nurse, Elizabeth Geater. Robert was recorded as a retired agent.

Robert died on 14 September 1893 while living at 1 Lynton Villa in Newbury. He was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 18 September 1893. He left a will, in which he was recorded as a retired carpenter, and probate was granted on 23 September 1893 at Oxford to his son Charles Stevens, a land agent. The value of the estate was £112 1s.

An article appeared in the Reading Mercury of 23 September 1893 regarding Robert as below.

We have to record the decease at his residence in Craven Road, on Thursday week, of Mr. Robert Stevens, who for a long period of 35 years was resident agent on Lord Carnavon’s estate at Pixton. The deceased who retired from the post about 12 years ago, and has since lived in Newbury, had reached the advance age of 81.

An announcement of his death appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 21 September 1893 as below.

STEVENS – Sep. 15, at Craven Road, Newbury, Robert Stevens, aged 81.

Maria died a few months later on 8 January 1894 at Lynton Villa and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 11 January 1894. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 18 January 1894 as below.

STEVENS – Jan. 7, at her residence, Lynton Villa, Newbury, Maria, widow of Robert Stevens,

aged 90.

In the 1901 census Elizabeth was recorded at 1 Lynton Villa and described as living on her own means along with Jane Jennings a widow and general domestic servant aged 73.  Her brother Charles and Bessie Mills, his housemaid, were still in Weir House with Charles now a retired estate agent.

In March 1901 at his own residence Charles was presented with a handsome marble time piece and candlesticks to match. They bore the engraving “Presented to Mr. Charles Stevens by 74 workmen and cottage tenants of the Pixton Estate. March 1901.”. In a separate presentation a few days earlier Charles had visited the local school and was presented by an illuminated album containing address, 65 signatures and 22 local views from the scholars and teachers. Charles was thanked for his past labours, especially in the cause of education.

Charles died on 26 November 1904 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 30 November 1904. He was living at Lynton Villas, Craven Road at the time of his death. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 1 December 1904 as below.

STEVENS – Nov. 26, at Lynton Villa, Craven Street, Newbury, Mr. C. Stevens, aged 67.

He left a will, in which he was recorded as a retired land agent, and probate was granted on 3 February 1905 at Oxford to Broome Pinneger, a solicitor, and Arthur John Willoughby, a chemist. The value of the estate was £2,118 3s 9d.

Charles’s death was also reported in West Somerset Free Press of 3 December 1904. The report mentioned he had been suffering from jaundice which culminated in his death. A wreath was sent from the teachers and scholars of Bury School, where for many years he was manager and treasurer.

In the 1911 census Elizabeth was recorded at 10 Craven Road in Newbury along with Ann King a general domestic servant, originally from Norfolk.

Elizabeth died on 14 April 1915 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 17 April 1915. She was living at Lynton Villas, Craven Road at the time of her death.

A report of the burial appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 21 April 1915 as below, excluding details of the service.

The funeral of the late Miss Stevens, whose death occurred on Wednesday last, took place on Saturday. Miss Stevens, who had resided in Craven Street for a considerable number of years, was sister to the late Mr. Robert Stevens, both he and his father having been stewards on the Earl of Carnavon’s estate at Pixton, Somerset. The brother died some years ago, and the sister continued to live in a retired manner. She was buried in the same grave. The first part of the service was at Newbury Parish Church.

Elizabeth left a will and probate was granted on 30 August 1915 at Oxford to Broome Pinneger, a solicitor, and Eleanor Jane Collins, wife of Walter Collins. The value of the estate was £797 10s 11d.

Author: G Soper
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