Elizabeth Hill (1875 – 1911)

Elizabeth Barnes was born 20 October 1875 in Aldbourne in Wiltshire, the daughter of Thomas and Maria, nee Dew, Barnes. She was baptized on 29 December 1875 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Aldbourne. Elizabeth was recorded with her parents and four siblings in Baydon Street in Aldbourne in the 1881 census, her father Thomas was recorded as an agricultural labourer and her mother Maria as a laundress.

In the 1891 census Elizabeth was living as a servant in Ethelbert Villa, South Street in Aldbourne and her occupation was recorded as a general domestic servant. There were three unmarried sisters living in the house with the oldest Emily Smith aged 40 as the head of the house.

Elizabeth married Alfred John Hill on 30 December 1899 in Aldbourne. Alfred was born circa 1875 in Newbury the son of Benjamin and Mary. At the time of the marriage Alfred was living in Speenhamland in Newbury.

In the 1901 census Alfred and Elizabeth with son Stanley aged 3 months were living at 27 West Street in Newbury, Alfred was recorded as a picture frame maker.

In March 1906 Alfred appeared as a witness in a trial of two men accused of stealing and he was recorded as a picture frame maker living at 27 West Street working for Messrs Hill and Rowney of 69 Northbrook Street.

Elizabeth died January 1911 while living at 2 Connaught Road in Newbury and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 3 February 1911.

A few months after Elizabeth’s death in the 1911 census Alfred was a boarder living in Speen View, West Mills in Newbury and still a picture frame maker. Their son Stanley was staying with an aunt and uncle.

Alfred remarried in 1914 to Beatrice Hall. He died 27 September 1957 and his ashes were buried at Lower Meeting House in Newbury on 1 October 1957.

Author: Gerald Soper
© FNRC