Emily Seward (1847 – 1921)

Emily Pitcher was born in 1847 in Chedgrave in Norfolk, the daughter of James and Caroline. She was baptized on 30 May 1847 in Chedgrave, her father James was recorded as a labourer.

Emily was recorded living with her parents and sister Elizabeth aged 1 in the 1851 census in Chedgrave with James recorded as an agricultural labourer. No trace of Emily in the 1861 census. By the time of the 1871 census Emily was living as a servant at 18 Donnington Square in Speen and her occupation was a cook domestic.

Just a few months after the census Emily married Charles Edward Seward in Newbury. Charles was born 21 July 1845 in Newbury, the son of Daniel and Ada, nee Newman, Seward.

Charles and Emily had ten children all born in Newbury. They were Leonard Charles Daniel (1872), Caroline Charlotte (1874), Arthur Henry (1875), Clara Elizabeth (1876), Alice Mary (1878), Jessie Louisa (1880), Helena Harriett (1882), Edward James (1884), Hilda Jane (1886) and Rebe Eliza (1888).

In the 1881 census Charles and Emily with children Leonard, Caroline, Arthur, Clara, Alice and Jessie along with a lodger were living at The Folly in Greenham with Charles recorded as a grocer’s porter.

Charles and Emily were still living at The Folly in 1891 along with children Caroline, Arthur, Clara, Alice, Jessie, Edward, Hilda and Rebe. Charles was still a grocer’s porter while Conrad was a tinman’s apprentice and Arthur an ironmonger’s apprentice.

Ten years later in the 1901 census Charles and Emily were living at Sherwood Villa in Greenham Road in Newbury with children Caroline, Arthur, Jessie, Edward, Hilda and Rebe with Charles now a grocer’s assistant while Arthur and Edward were acting postmen.

Sadly, Alice Mary, daughter of Emily and Charles, died on 22 May 1906 at Speen Hill in Newbury. She was buried on 26 May at St Mary in Greenham.

In the 1911 census Charles and Emily were still residing in Sherwood Villa along with children Jesse, Edward and Rebe. Charles was an assistant postman, Edward a postman and Rebe a dressmaker.

By the time of the 1921 census taken on 19 June 1921 Charles and Emily were living by themselves at 1 Upper Raymonds Almhouses in Newtown Road with Charles recorded as a retired grocer’s assistant.

Emily died just a few months later in October 1921 aged 74 while still living at 1 Upper Raymond’s Almhouses and she was buried in Newtown Road Cemetery on 22 October.

Charles continued to live at 1 Upper Raymond’s Almhouses until at least 1931 as he was recorded at this address in the electoral registers. In 1935 he was recorded in the electoral register at 5 Feldmore Cottages, Holmbury St Mary in Surrey. He was also recorded at this address in the National Register in September 1939 with his occupation being pensioner. He died in Surrey in 1941.

Author: Soper
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