Ralph Charles Heath - 5 October 1834 - 10 April 1909

Ralph Charles Heath was born on 14^th September 1834 the oldest son of Ralph Heath and Harriet Heath nee George.

Ralph Charles Heath was baptised on 5^th October 1834 in Enborne.

In the 1841 census Ralph Heath (6) was living with his parents at Pound Street, Faircross, Newbury.

In the 1851 census Ralph Chas Heath (16) a “Baker’s Labourer” was living with his parents at Pound Street, Newbury.

On 2nd October 1859 Ralph Charles Heath (24) married Hannah Cherrill/Cherrell (24) at Newbury Parish Church. Ralph Charles was described as a “Batchelor”, a “Baker” who had been living in Newbury and was the son of “Ralph Heath Baker”. Hannah was a “Spinster” and the daughter of “John Cherrell, Labourer”.

Ralph and Hannah had 6 children:

1. Sarah Heath born on 23^rd June 1860 at Dredges Court, Northbrook Street, Newbury. The birth was registered by the mother – Hannah Heath formerly Cherrell on 26^th July. Interestingly she described her husband and Sarah’s father as Ralph Charles Heath a “Bricklayer labourer”.
2. Charles Heath born on 23rd February 1865 in at Dredges Yard, Northbrook Street, Newbury. The birth was again registered by Hannah Heath formerly Cherrell on 8th March and she still described her husband and Sarah’s father as Ralph Charles Heath a “Bricklayers labourer”.
3. Emily Bertha Heath born on 29^th March 1868 in Dredges Yard, Newbury. The birth was again registered by Hannah Heath formerly Cherrell on 8^th May and the father was described as Ralph Charles Heath a “Bricklayer labourer”.
4. Albert John Heath born on 17^th November 1870 in Dredges Yard, Newbury. The birth was again registered by the mother – Hannah Heath formerly Cherrell on 8^th March and she described her husband and Sarah’s father as Ralph Charles Heath a “Letter Carrier”.
5. Agnes Heath born on 8^th May 1873 in Dredges Yard, Newbury. The birth was again registered by the mother - Hannah Heath formerly Cherrell on 8th March and she described her husband and Sarah’s father as Ralph Charles Heath a “Post Messenger”.
6. Ralph Ernest Heath born on 23^rd June 1877 in Dredges Yard Newbury.

Ralph Ernest Heath died aged 9 months on 3^rd April 1878. In his death certificate he was described as 9 months old and the “Son of Ralph Charles Heath, Postman”.  His cause of death was given as “Bronchitis certified”.  His death was registered on 4^th April 1878 by “H Heath, Mother present at death, Dredges Yard, Newbury, Berks”.

Ralph Ernest Heath was buried in Newton Road Cemetery on 6^th April 1878 after a service in St Nicholas, Bartholomew Street.

In the 1861 census Ralph Chas Heath (25) a “Bricklayer’s Labourer” was living at Dredges Yard, Northbrook Street, Newbury with his wife Hannah (25) and one child; Sarah (9 months).

In the 1871 census Ralph C Heath (35) a “Letter Carrier” was living at Dredges Yard, Northbrook Street, Newbury with his wife Hannah (35) and four children; Sarah (10) a “Scholar”, Charles (6), Emily B (3) and Albert J (4 months).

In 1874 Ralph Charles Heath was having to prove his age for joining the British Civil Service as a letter carrier.  His birth date had previously been recorded as 14^th September 1835, including in a family bible and Ralph Charles Heath had himself been using the date of 1835 as his birth in censuses etc. but this was after his baptism on 5^th October 1834.

The parish was asked to confirm from their records the date of Ralph Charles Heath’s baptism as seen below: