Hannah Cherrill “Cherrile” was born on 26th February 1836 and baptised on 6th March 1836 in Kingsclere. Her parents were recorded as John Cherrile and Sarah Elliot and the family address was given as “Swan Street” and the father’s occupation as “Labourer”.
In the 1841 census Hannah “Gerral” was living with her father John “Gerral” (Cherrill) (30) an “Agricultural Labourer and mother Sarah (25) in George Street in the “Upper half “of Kingsclere. Also living with them was Hannah’s sister Sarah Ann (2).
On the 9th April 1845 Hannah’s mother - Sarah Cherrill née Elliot died (aged 31) on the 9th April 1845 in George Street, Kingsclere. Hannah would have been aged 9. Sarah was described as the “Wife of John Cherrill a Labourer” and her cause of death was recorded as “Consumption”. Her death was registered on 10th April 1845 by “The X Mark of Hannah Harmsworth, present at the death, Kingsclere”. She was buried on 12th April 1845 in Kingsclere and her aged was recorded as 31 and her address as “George Street, Kingsclere”.
In the 1851 census Hannah Cherrell (16) was a “House servant” with James Bradfield’s family (a Miller) at Field Gate, Kingsclere.
On 2nd October 1859 Hannah Cherrill/Cherrell (24) married Ralph Charles Heath (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:
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Sarah Heath born on 23rd June 1860 at Dredges Court, Northbrook Street, Newbury. The birth was registered by the mother – Hannah Heath formerly Cherrell on 26th July. Interestingly she described her husband and Sarah’s father as Ralph Charles Heath a “Bricklayer labourer”.
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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”.
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Emily Bertha Heath born on 29th March 1868 in Dredges Yard, Newbury. The birth was again registered by Hannah Heath formerly Cherrell on 8th May and the father was described as Ralph Charles Heath a “Bricklayer labourer”.
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Albert John Heath born on 17th November 1870 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 “Letter Carrier”.
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Agnes Heath born on 8th 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”.
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Ralph Ernest Heath born on 23rd June 1877 in Dredges Yard Newbury. He was recorded as the son of “Ralph Charles Heath, Post Messenger and Hannah Heath formerly Cherrill”. His birth was registered on 30th July 1877 by “H Heath, Mother, Dredges Yard, Newbury”
Ralph Ernest Heath died aged 9 months on 3rd 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 4th April 1878 by “H Heath, Mother present at death, Dredges Yard, Newbury, Berks”.
Ralph Ernest Heath was buried in Newton Road Cemetery on 6th 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 the 1881 census Ralph Charles Heath (45) a “Post Man” was living at Ashdown Court, Newbury with his wife Hannah (45) and five children; Sarah (20) a “Domestic Servant – Housemaid”, Charles (16) an “Errand Boy”, Emily B (13) a “Scholar”, Albert John (10) a “Scholar” and Agnes (7) a “Scholar”.
In the 1891 census Ralph C Heath (56) a “Rural Postman” was living at 8 Waterloo Place, Newbury with his wife Hannah (56) and three children; Charles (26) a “Hawker”, Albert J (20) a “Carpenter” and Agnes (17) a “Dressmaker”.
In the 1901 census Ralph C Heath (67) a “Retired Postman” was living at 4 Gordon Place, St Mary Road, Newbury with his wife Hannah (65) and one child; Agnes (27) a “Dressmaker”.
Ralph Charles Heath died (aged 74) on 10th April 1909 at 4 Gordon Place, Newbury. He was described as a “Postman”. His cause of death was recorded as “Nephritis Chronic several years, Emphysema, Heart Failure”. His death was registered by Rosa Heath (daughter in law) present at death who was living at 2 Denmark Road, Newbury.
Ralph Charles Heath was buried on 14th April 1909 in Newtown Road Cemetery, Newbury. He was recorded in the burial record as aged 74 and living at 4 Gordon Place, St Mary’s Road, Newbury.
In the 1911 census Hannah Heath (75) a “Widow” of “Private Means” was living at 4 Gordon Place, St Mary’s Road, Newbury. She was recorded as having had 6 children – 3 of whom were dead and 3 were alive. By 1911 the three of her children who had died were Ralph Ernest Heath (1878), Emily Bertha Heath (1885) and Charles Heath (1910).
Hannah Heath died on 21st December 1915 (aged 79) at 2 Denmark Road, Newbury. She was described as “Widow of Ralph Charles Heath a Postman” and her cause of death was recorded as “Bronchitis”. Her death was registered by “Rosa Heath Daughter in Law Present at the death 1 Denmark Road, Newbury”.
Hannah Heath was buried on 24th December 1915 at Newtown Road Cemetery, Newbury. She was recorded in the burial record as aged 79 and having been living at 2 Denmark Road, Newbury.
Rosemary Winter-Scott
October 2019