John Chamberlain      and     Charles Chamberlain

1852-1856                                1855-1856

John and Charles were both born in Newbury, Berkshire, the sons Benjamin and Ann Chamberlain (nee Whitehorn) who were married in 1851 (marriage registered in Newbury).

Both boys died in 1856. John died aged 4, of Scarlatina Maligna (Scarlet Fever) on the 24^th September at the Bell, Wash Common Gate, Newbury, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 26^th September. Charles died aged 1, he was laid to rest with John the following day.

Their parents:

Their father Benjamin was baptised in 1827 in East Woodhay, Hampshire, the son of John and Hannah Chamberlain (nee Buxey, formerly Belcher, a widow) who were married in 1827 in Enborne, Berkshire.

John was a farmer at Honey Bottom, his nephew, also John, at Warren Farm – Do look up the Warren Farm murder(s) in Jan 1891!

Benjamin died aged 62 on the 5^th November 1889, he was buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th November. (Funeral service held at St John the Evangelist Newbury)

Their mother Ann was baptised on the 28^th December 1828 at St Denys, Stanford in the Vale, Berkshire, the daughter of Thomas and Rachel Whitehorn (nee Belcher) who were married in 1826 in West Hanney, Berkshire.

The 1854 Billings Directory records Benjamin as a Beer Retailer at the Bell, Wash Common, Newbury.

The 1861 census records Benjamin (33) as a Cattle Dealer, living in Wash Road, Newbury with Ann (32) and a servant, Charles Fowler (15).  

Note - Benjamin Chamberlain was listed as a beer house keeper Wash Common, Phil Wood who has researched Pubs in Newbury has references from 1854 to 1868, but only one mentions a pub name – the Old Bell in 1854.  The landlord changed to Anthony Collins by 1869 that fits with Benjamin dying in 1869.  It was common for publicans, especially beer house keepers to have a day job or a sideline like dealing in livestock.  It is also common for them to use this to describe their employment if they felt it was more prestigious than ‘beer house keeper’ or ‘beer seller. 

Benjamin Chamberlain was a well-known livestock dealer well after his time at the Old Bell. He gave evidence as a sheep expert in a case against the Vine Hunt in August 1887 when he states he has 35 years’ experience with the animals – which would go back as far as the Old Bell days.

In 1871 Benjamin (43) was again recorded as a Cattle Dealer/Farmer of 50 acres living in Wash Common, Newbury with Ann (42). Also recorded living with them were a niece, Esther Belcher (9) and a nephew, Moses Belcher (2).

The 1881 census records Benjamin (53) as a Farmer of 4 acres employing 3 labourers. He was living in Wash Road, Newbury with Ann (52) and a John Chamberlain (12) recorded as their son. (No birth found for a son John Chamberlain. In 1891 this John was recorded as a nephew)

The 1891 census records Ann (62) living on his Own Means at Bedford Cottage, Wash Common, Newbury also recorded in the household was her nephew John Chamberlain (22) a Farmer and Dealer and a visitor Ellen Whiteing (64).

Ann remarried in 1895, her 2^nd husband was George Dodd. Ann died aged 70 on the 5^th November 1898, she was laid to rest with Benjamin in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th November. (Funeral service held at St John the Evangelist, Newbury)

Mrs P   Page 123    LN (L) 13

Author: C Gambles
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