Caleb Hill (1868 – 1913)

Caleb Hill was born in 1868 in Leckhampstead, the son of Benjamin and Mary Maria, nee Minchin, Hill. In the 1871 census Caleb, aged 2, was recorded with his parents and four siblings (Ann aged 11, George aged 9, Elizabeth aged 5 & Dorcas aged 5) in Leckhampstead, his father Benjamin was a farmer’s labourer. Ten years later in the 1881 census Caleb was again recorded his parents and four siblings at Speenhamland, Caleb was recorded as a scholar his sister Dorcas a domestic servant while his father Benjamin was a labourer.

In the 1891 census Caleb was recorded with his step brother William Minchin aged 33 at 6 Charles Place in Newbury. Caleb was recorded as a jewellery apprentice. No trace of Caleb’s father in 1891, his mother had died Q4 1900 and it is thought his father became homeless and not recorded in the census.

Caleb’s father Benjamin died in January 1894 in Streatley. He had visited the Swan Hotel briefly and had a drink, he only had one half-pence on his arrival but somebody gave him another so he could buy a drink. He then left the Swan on a dark and foggy night and it is thought misled by the lights on the bridge walked into the river and drowned despite efforts to save him.

Caleb married Nellie Shackleton in Q4 1900 in Newbury. Nellie was born circa 1878 in Rochester in Kent. In the 1901 census Caleb and Nellie with Nellie’s sister Violet aged six at 3 Pembroke Place in Newbury with Caleb recorded as a journeyman watch repairer.

In the 1911 census Caleb was still living at 3 Pembroke Place with John Tibble who was the head of the house with Caleb now a watch maker and repairer. No trace of Nellie in the census.

Caleb died February 1913 at Newbury Union Infirmary and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 15 February 1913.

Author: Gerald Soper
© FNRC