Joseph Stephens (1844 – 1910)

Ann Frances Stephens (1848 – 1918)

John Frewin Stephens (1872 – 1874)

Joseph Stephens was born in 1844 in Newbury the son of James and Eliza, nee Head, Stephens. He was recorded with his parents along with sisters Martha aged 10 and Jane aged 2 at Lyles Farm House in Newbury in the 1851 census, James was an agricultural labourer. In October 1854 Joseph’s sister Mary died aged 2 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 28 October. In the 1861 census Joseph was living as a servant at 17 High Street in Lambourn and recorded as a general servant.

Ann Frances Webb was born in 1848 in Bishopsgate in the City of London, the daughter of William and Ann, nee Myers, Webb. She was baptized on 12 March 1848 at St Botolph in Bishopsgate. In the 1861 census Ann was living with her parents, and brothers William aged 10, Samuel aged 4 and John aged 2 in Bethnal Green, her father William was a dairyman.

Joseph and Ann married on 31 May 1868 at Holy Trinity in Kilburn, Joseph was recorded as a carpenter living at 26 Denmark Road, while Ann had no occupation while living at 4 Cambridge Mews East. A son Joseph William James was born on 20 November 1968 in Kilburn and then in 1870 in Newbury another son Frank was born.

In the 1871 census Joseph and Ann were living in Old Road in Newbury with sons Joseph aged 2 and Frank aged 7 months along with Joseph’s uncle John Stephens. Joseph was recorded as a carpenter while his uncle was a tailor.

In late 1872 another son John was born in Newbury. Sadly, John died in April 1874 aged 18 months and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 7 April 1874. He was recorded as John Frewin when his death was registered. The family were still living in Old Road in April 1874.

Another son Samuel was born in late 1874 or early 1875 and his death was recorded in quarter one of 1875. No burial record for Samuel has been found.

In the 1881 census Joseph and Ann with their two surviving sons Joseph and Frank were living in The City in Newbury with Joseph now a labourer.

Ten years later in the 1891 census Joseph and Ann and son Frank were living in Northcroft Lane in Newbury with Joseph a builder’s labourer and Frank a brush maker. In the 1901 census Joseph and Ann were living by themselves at 3 Diamond Cottages, Carnarvon Street in Newbury with John now a dairyman.

Joseph died in February 1910 aged 65 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 16 February 1910, he was recorded as living in Northcroft Lane.

A year later in the 1911 census Ann was living at 4 Diamond Cottages, Carnarvon Street in Newbury with her nephew Fred Stock aged 26. Ann was recorded as working in the dairy business and Fred a telegraph labourer for the GPO.

Ann died in January 1918 aged 69 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 15 January 1918.

Joseph and Ann’s son Joseph William James Stephens died in 1953 aged 85 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 2 December 1953.

Author: G Soper
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