Cemeteries and graveyards, full of love, betrayal, tragic deaths, murder, and suicide. What will you find?

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Frederick Owen and Ethel Maud Brock - Christmas Day Sweet Hearts



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Sundial memorial to Frederick Owen and Edith Maud Brock, Braywick Cemetery Garden of Rest, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Frederick Owen Brock who passed away Feb 8th 1962 and Edith Maud Brock on Christmas Day 1968.  Both born 1876."


Frederick Owen Brock was born in 1876 to John Brock, a builder, and his wife Elizabeth Cornell.  Frederick first appears on the 1881 Census aged 4 and living with his parents and siblings at The Firs, Felsted Common, Essex.  By 1891 Frederick had moved in with his uncle William Brock, a flour miller, and his wife Harriet, the parents of Edith Maud Brock.  Frederick was an apprentice flour miller at the time he was living with his aunt and uncle's house. 

In 1900 Frederick married his cousin Edith at Ognar, Essex.

In 1901 the newlyweds can be found living at 20 Park Street, St Pancras London.  Frederick is now a baker and confectioner.  1911 finds the family relocated to Kingston -on-Thames.  Frederick is still a baker and confectioner, but the family has since expanded to include Stanley Frederick aged 8, Muriel aged 7 and one year old Iris Doreen.

Frederick passed away on 8th February 1862 in Windsor Berkshire aged 85 and Edith on 25th December 1968 in Maidenhead Berkshire aged 92.


I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year.  Beneath Thy Feet will return in the New Year.


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Sunday 23 December 2012

Cemetery Sunday - Blanket of Snow








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Friday 21 December 2012

Phoebe Eliza Carter and Annie Taylor - Sisters



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Phoebe Eliza Carter and Annie Taylor, All Saints Churchyard, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In ever loving memory Phoebe Eliza Carter who died Jan 19th 1914 aged 40 years - The God of love shall be with you-

Also of Annie Taylor sister of the above who died Jan 27th 1919 aged 46 years - come unto me ye that are weary."


Phoebe Eliza Carter was born Phoebe Eliza Meeks on 10th July 1873 and Annie Taylor was born Annie Meeks in 1872 in Maidenhead Berkshire to James Meeks, a publican at the Greyhound Public House in King Street, Maidenhead, and his wife Eliza Esther Favell.

On the 1881 Census, 7 year old Annie and 6 year old Phoebe are living with their parents and their younger siblings Arthur and Florence at The Greyhound Public House in King Street.  1891 finds the sisters, now both barmaids still living at The Greyhound with their parents.

In 1894 Phoebe marries William Frederick Carter, a fly proprietor (horse and trap) from Wiltshire.  Together they had seven children, William, Winifred, Ellen, Phoebe Elizabeth, Edith, Constance and Reginald.  In 1901 the family are living at 7 Wellington Road, but by 1911 they have moved to 93 King Street. 

Sadly only three years later at the age of 40, Phoebe passes away.

In 1895 Annie marries Charles George Taylor, a grocer from Dover in Kent.

On the 1901 Census Charles and Annie are living at 3 South Road, Maidenhead.  Together they had seven children, one of which sadly died in infancy.  By 1911 The family and their six remaining children, Gladys, Edith, Hilda, William, Thomas and Henry had moved to 40 Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, Middlesex, where Charles is now a sugar buyer for a jam making factory.  Sadly Annie was to pass away 8 years later.  She now rests with her sister Phoebe in All Saints Churchyard.


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Wednesday 19 December 2012

War Grave Wednesday - Frederick George Bennett


"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".
Frederick George Bennett was born in Marlow Buckinghamshire in 1895 to Henry C Bennett, a paper maker in a paper mill and his wife Julia Joyce.
In 1901 Frederick can be found living with his parents and siblings at Temple Cottages, Bisham Berkshire  1911 and Frederick is still living with his parents in Temple Cottages in Bisham.  His occupation in 1911 is listed as a house boy.
Sometime after the outbreak of World War I Frederick enlisted with the Royal Air force, becoming an Air Mechanic 1st Class.  Unfortunately I cannot find any further information about Frederick's war service or how he came to be injured.  Just before Frederick died of is wounds in Cliveden Military Hospital he married Frances Dora Larter in the September of 1918.  Their time together was short as Frederick died on 21st November 1918 aged just 23 years.



Tuesday 18 December 2012

Thomas and Kate Dixon - Currier and Tobacconist



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Thomas and Kate Dixon, All Saints Churchyard, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"In ever loving memory of Thomas the dearly beloved and devoted husband of Kate Dixon who entered into rest January 25th 1913 aged 47 years - his end was peace - May be be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting -

Also

Kate Dixon who feel asleep February 7th 1955 aged 92 years."


Thomas Dixon was born in Dartford Kent in 1866 to Thomas Dixon, a foreman in a tanning works, and his wife Louisa Wren.

In 1871 Thomas aged 6 is living with his parents and grandmother Elizabeth Dixon in Dartford Kent.  By 1881 Thomas, now a carman apprentice is living with his family at No 1 Tanyard Cottages in Dartford Kent.

In 1881 in Thanet Kent, Thomas married Kate Hughes. 

In 1891 Thomas and Kate are living 35 Spring Vale in Dartford.  Thomas's occupation is listed as a currier.  A currier is a specialist in the leather processing industry. After the tanning process, the currier applies techniques of dressing, finishing and colouring to the tanned hide to make it strong, flexible and waterproof.  1895 sees the birth of their only surviving child, a son, Horace.

Sometime before 1901 Thomas, Kate and Horace move to 72 King Street, Maidenhead Berkshire where Thomas is now a tobacconist.  1911, two years before Thomas's death, he is now a retired tobacconist living with his wife Kate and 16 year old son Horace at 24 St Mark's Road, Maidenhead.  Horace is now a clerk for a local brewer.

Sadly Thomas was to pass away on 25th January 1913 at the age of 47

Unfortunately I am unable to find any information on Kate before her marriage to Thomas in 1884.


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Sunday 16 December 2012

Cemetery Sunday - Fading

 
 
Sandstone weathers over time, leaving some gravestones completely indecipherable.  It is such a shame that there names and the historical information is now lost.
 
The only information readable on the gravestone above is John Pearce.
 




Above is the gravestone of the Brill family.  The only name that remains readable is that of young Arthur William Brill, son of John and Florence Jane Brill of Norden Farm. 

"Born March 18th 1892.  Died Jany 5th 1894. - The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.  Blessed be thy name of the Lord."

Unfortunately the name of the person memorilised above young Arthur is now completely lost.

By photographing the older gravestones, I hope that in some way I am preserving the information for many many years to come.  Once it has worn away, it is gone forever.


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Friday 14 December 2012

Catherine and John Shelton of Albert Street



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.

Monument to Catherine Shelton and John Shelton.  All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"In loving memory of Catherine, the belioed wife of  John Shelton who depearted this life June 6th 1913, aged 83 years.  Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Also of

John Shelton who departed this life Jaunuary 15th 1922, aged 91 years.  Rest in peace."


Catherine Shelton was born Catherine Robins in 1829 in Reading Berkshire.  Unfortuantely I have been unable to find any information on her parents.

In 1847 in Eton Buckinghamshire, Catherine married Henry Mealing, a labourer from Bray Berkshire.  In 1851 Catherine and Henry are living in Post Office Lane in Maidenhead Berkshire, with their two children Cathering and Henry Thomas Mealing.  In 1854 Henry Mealing passes away.

John Shelton was born in 1829 in Bisham Berkshire to John Roswell Shelton and Anna Goodchild.

In 1857 in Eton Buckinghamshire, Catherine married John Shelton, a railway plate layer.  In 1861 Catherine and John can be found living in Bridge Street, Maidenhead Berkhshire, along with Catherine's children from her previous marriage, Catherine, Thomas and John, as well as three year old Charles and  onr year old Daniel Shelton (who was to sadly pass away that year), her children with John.

In 1871 the family has moved to 11 Princess Street in Maidenhead.  Catherine (listed as Kate) and Thomas are still living with their mother and step father.  The family had since expanded to include George, William, Walter, Frederick and Mary Ann.  Sadly 13 year old Charles Shelton was to die that year from brain disease.

The 1881 Census finds the family in Albert Street in Maidenhead, a few yards from their old house in Princess Street.  Five year old Earnest [sic] had joined the family in 1876.

John and Catherine Shelton remained at 36 Albert Street until Catherine's death in 1913.  John Shelton was to pass away in 1922.


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Wednesday 12 December 2012

War Grave Wednesday - Frederick James and Charles Stevens - Brothers


"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".
 
 
Frederick James Stevens and Charles Stevens were born in Maidenhead, Berkshire in 1895 and 1893 to Charles W Stevens, a labourer in a sewage works and his wife Elizabeth Susan Cole.
 
In 1901 Frederick aged 5 and Charles aged 7 are living with their parents and sister Lily at No 5 Dolman's Buildings, King Street in Maidenhead Berkshire.
 
1911 and Frederick, now 15 and a caddy at a local golf course, is still living with his parents at No 5 Dolman's Buildings.  Charles, now a private in The Royal Berkshire Regiment, however can be found at Fort Burgoyne, The Red Huts, Military Quarters At Castle Hill And Broadlees in Dover.
 
Sometime afterwards Frederick joined his brother in 1st Battalion of The Royal Berkshire Regiment.
 
Unfortunately I have been unable to locate any military records for either Frederick or Charles.
 
Sadly Private Frederick was the first of the two brothers to die as a result of wounds received in action on January 12th 1915, aged just 21 years.
 
Charles rose to the rank of Lance Sergeant before he too was killed as a result of enemy action on 29th November 1917, aged just 25 years.  Charles in buried in the Moeuvers Communal Cemetery in France.
 
Charles Stevens Sr died around the same time as Charles Jr in the last quarter of 1917.  Perhaps it was the death of his two sons that led him to his grave.  How heartbreaking for Elizabeth to lose two sons to war and then her husband not long afterwards.  Such a sacrifice.
 
 


Tuesday 11 December 2012

Alice and Charles Salway Thompson - Gardeners



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Alice Thompson and Charles Salway Thompson, All Saints Churchyard, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In loving memory of Alice beloved wife of Charles. S. Thompson died Decr 6th 1918 aged 57 years - God is our refuge.

Also Charles Salway her beloved husband died Feb 5th 1945 aged 88 years - at rest"


Alice Thompson was born Alice Pearce in the February 1861 in Bright Waltham, Berkshire to Charles Pearce, a carter, and his wife Amy Collins. 

Alice appears on the 1861 Census aged just 1 month, living with her parents and grandparents David and Sarah Collins at Bright Waltham Green.  In 1871 ten year old  Alice is still living with her grandparents David and Sarah at Bright Waltham Green, however Alice's parents and her younger siblings had moved to Scarlett's Lane in Wargrave.  It's possible that Alice stayed behind with her grandparents to continue her education.

In 1881 Alice is in service as a housemaid for Richard S. H. Jones, a barrister, and his wife Florence at Woodlands in Binfield Berkshire.  That same year Alice married Charles Thompson.


Charles Salway Thompson was born in Little Dunham, Norfolk in 1857 to Robert Thompson, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Ann Harpur, a charwoman (house cleaner).    1872 Charles is living with his widowed mother and five siblings in Little Duhman, Norfolk.  Charles's occupation is listed as a gardener's boy. 

In 1881 24 year old Charles in lodging in the home of Thomas and Martha Crockford at Bear Hill in Wargrave Berkshire.  Charles has progressed from gardener's boy to domestic gardener.

1891 finds Charles and Alice living in Gardener's house along with their four children, Archibald R, William C, Theodore V and Elsie M.  1901 and the family has moved to 68 Powny Road, Maidenhead Berkshire, where Charles is a jobbing gardener and his sons Archibald and William are under gardeners and Theodore is a garden boy.

Ten years on in 1911, the family, minus Archibald and Elsie, are still living at 68 Powny Road, Maidenhead. 

Sadly Alice was to pass away on 6th December 1918.  Charles was to live a further 27 years without Alice, before passing away on 5th February 1945.


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Sunday 9 December 2012

Cemetery Sunday - All Saints (Maidenhead) Cemetery



All Saints (Maidenhead) Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire is one of my favourite cemeteries to visit.  It's not remarkable or full of impressive monuments to important people from the past (although it has many people of interest), but it has an amazing, calm and welcoming atmosphere.

All Saints Cemetery opened in 1888 when it became apparent that space was running out in the town's churchyards.  The cemetery covers around 5 acres of land, containing space for 10,000 graves.  To date there has been 14,600 interments.  All Saints closed to burials around 1953 when the mordern lawn cemetery at Braywick was opened.  In somce cases interment of ashes is still permitted at All Saints Cemetery.


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Friday 7 December 2012

Frederick Wolff and Ida May - Steamship Business



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Angel monument to Frederick Wolff May and Ida May, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.


"In affectionate rememberance of my dear husband Frederick Wolff May died 16 August 1924 aged 51 - Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.

Also in memory of Ida his wife died ? December ?"


Frederick Wolff May and his twin sister Clara Fanny May were born on 10th October 1872 in Hanburg Germany to Frederick Albert May, a colonial merchant and his wife Clara Matilda Wolff.

Frederick first appears aged 8 on the 1881 Census living with his sister and parents at The Birches, Lawrie Park Gardens, Lewisham London.  I cannot find the family on the 1891 Census and I can only imagine that they were out of the country due to Fredrick's work as a colonial merchant.

Clara Mathilda May passes away in Kensington on 25th March 1896 aged only 47 years.  She is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London  In 1901 the widowed Frederick is now living at 10 The Boltons, Kensington London along with Frederick Jr, now a steamship manager with his uncle Gustav Wilhelm Wolff's shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff (manufactorers of the Titanic), and Clara.  In 1903 Frederick Snr marries Louise Spencer Smith, however five years later in 1908 Fredrick Snr dies of typhoid fever and heart disease in Dorest.

I am unable to find a marriage for Frederick or Ida, or indeed any information on Ida's birth other than 1879 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

In 1911 Frederick and Ida have moved to Woodmancote, Cliveden near Maidenhead.  The census retur states that Frederick and Ida have had one child, but they're not living with them at the time the census was taken and I have been unable to trace a birth.

Clara, Frederick's twin sister never married and died aged 76 in September 1949, leaving large sums of money to those who had been in service at her home.  To view some of Clara's family pictures, please click here.



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Wednesday 5 December 2012

War Grave Wednesday - Gerard Hamilton Maffett - Royal Air Force


"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".

 
Gerard Hamilton Maffett was born 11th June 1916 in Murree, India to Lieutenant-Colonel Reginald Ernest Maffett and his wife Gwendoline Mary de Rutzen.

Gerard was educated at Imperial Service College in Windsor, Berkshire.  In 1934 he finished his education and took a job with the Daily Mail in London.  Four years later Gerard enlisted with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as a U/T Pilot.  He started out flying Tiger Moths from White Waltham airfield near Maidenhead, Berkshire.  On 22nd June 1940 Gerard converted from Tiger Moths to Hurricane aircraft and joined 257 Sqaudron at Northolt on 7th July 1940.

Gerard flew on his first operation on 18th August 1940 where he is credited for destroying a Dornier Do17 aircraft and damaging a Heinkel He111.

On 31st August 1940, nine Hurricanes took off from Martlesham Heath at 8:25am, they were ordered to partol Debden at 15,000 feet.  The Squadron climbed towards Debden, but encountered two large formations of Junkers Ju88 aircraft at 14,000 feet with several formations of Messerschmitt Bf110s at 16,000 feet.  Unable to catch up with the Junkers Ju88s the squardon persued the Messerschmitt formations.  At least six Messerschmitt Bf110s were destroyed, however the squadron suffered the loss of two Hurricanes.  One of those was Gerard's P3175, which crashed into the foresore at Stone Point, Walton-on-the-Naxe, Essex at arouns 8:50am.  Gereard was able to bail out of his striken aircraft but his parachute failed to open due to low altitude.  Gerard was killed on impact.




Gerard's elder brother John Francis Maffett, Wing Commander with the RAF was also killed in action on 12th February 1942.  He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Egham, Surrey.

Reginald Ernest Maffett passed away in 1949 and Gwendoline Mary in 1975 aged 100 years.

Bewteen 1972 and 1973 the remains of Gerard's crashed Hurricane, including instrument panel and windscreen, together with an almost complete engine and the remains of the three wooden propellor blades was recovered.  They're now displayed in The Battle of Britain Muesum in Hendon, London.


They gave their tomorrows for our todays.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Catherine and John Henry Woodbridge - Siblings



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Catherine and John Henry Woodbridge, Methodist Church, High Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"In affectionate remembrance of Catherine third daughter of William and Amelia Woodbridge who died July 18th 1862 aged 19 years.

Also

John Henry second son of the above who died July 12th 1880 aged 30 years."

Catherine Woodbridge was born on 13th March 1843 in Maidenhead, Berkshire to William Woodbridge, a carpenter and builder and later on Mayor of Maidenhead, and his wife Amelia Jones.

On the 1851 Census, eight year old Catherine can be found living with her parents at Park Road in Maidenhead.  1861 Census, just over a year from her death Catherine is still living with her parents and siblings at Park Road in Maidenhead, no occupation is listed for her, but her elder sister Sarah Jane is listed as milliner (hat maker).  It is possible that Catherine helped her sister.  Sadly Catherine was to pass away on 18th July 1862.

***
 

 
John Henry Woodbridge was born on 20th September 1849.  One year old John can be found on the 1851 Census with his family at Park Road, Maidenhead and again aged 12 in 1861.  in 1871 the family has moved to Queen Street in Maidenhead.  There is no occupation listed for John, but it is probable that he helped his father in the building industry.  1871 was a busy year for William Woodbridge as he was contracted to build Maidenhead's first main railway station.
 
 
In 1872 in Sussex John Henry married Jane Ann Pacy, known as Jeanie. in 1873 their only child was born Charles Albert Woodbridge.  Seven years later  John Henry was to pass away on 12th July 1880.  The recently widowed twenty six year old Jeanie and eight year old Charles can be found on the 1881 Census living at 1 Grenfell Road (near to the recently built Maidenhead Rail Station).  Jeanie took in lodgers at her home to make ends meet.  Charles was to follow in his grandfather William's footsteps to become a carpenter and builder.  He later named his first born son John Henry after his father.
 
In 1893 Jane Ann remarried John Herridge, a carpenter from Maidenhead.
 
Both Catherine and John Henry are interred in the vaults beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street.
 



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Sunday 2 December 2012

Cemetery Sunday - Together #2



After taking a picture of the two gravestones sharing a secret here, I vowed to go back to All Saints Cemetery in Maidenhead Berkshire and find out who was buried there and whether they were related in any way.

The left stone:  "George William Harrison who departed this life 13th May 1895 aged 68 years - Cecil Eliza Harrison loving wife of the above who died February 2? 1918 aged 86 years."

George was a railway clerk and moved with his wife from London to Maidenhead in the early 1890s.  Possibly to work with Maidenhead's railway.  Cecil continued to live in Maidenhead until her death in 1915.


The right stone:  "In loving memory of Sarah Elizabeth Broad.  Who died August 17th 1896 aged 42 years - Also Sovaness John Broad husband of the above.  Who died Febry 14th 1904 aged 60 - Also Eliza Wheeler who died Jany 11th 1911 aged 86."

Sarah Elizabeth Broad and her husband, a coachman, lived in park street from 1881 until her death in 1896, where Sovaness continued to live with his mother-in-law Elizabeth Wheeler until his death in 1904.  Elizabeth Wheeler followed them to the grave in 1911.

I have found no connection between the two families, other than they are buried next to each other.


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Friday 30 November 2012

Walker, Treffry and Higgs - Wesleyan Methodists




Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.
 
 
 
Monument to Jemima Ann Walker, Robert Walker J.P, Ann Walker, Mary Ann Curtis Treffry, John Higgs Esq J.P and Jemima Griffin Higgs, Methodist Church, Hight Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.
 
 
"In memorium Jemima Ann, only daughter of Robert and Ann Walker died Jany 15 1860 aged 10 years.  Robert Walker, J.P. died August 1. 1886 aged 64 years.  Ann Walker died July 12 1896 aged 78 years."
 
"Mary Ann Curtis Treffry died Dec 16 1864 aged 74 years.  John Higgs Esq. J.P. died June 3 1867 aged 6? years.  Jemima Griffin Higgs died Nov 3 1886 aged 79 years."
 
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels - Rev 3."
 
 
Jemima Ann was born in 1850 to Robert Walker, a chemist and painter and later a barrister and Justice of The Peace, and his wife Ann Wright.  In 1851, one year old Jemima can be found living with her parents and her uncle John Higgs and aunt Jemima G Higgs.  Sadly young Jemima was to pass away from a short illness before the next census was taken.

***
 
Robert Walker was born in Worcestershire in 1822 to Robert Walker and his wife Mary Ann Curtis Cullern.  In 1841 Robert is an apprentice chemist and has moved to Maidenhead where he is living with his brother-in-law John Higgs, a chemist in Maidenhead's High Street.
 
In 1847 Robert marries Ann Wright daughter of Muriel Wright of Sunninghill Berkshire, in Maidenhead.
 
Robert was also a preacher for the Wesleyan Methodist churches in Maidenhead and Cookham Rise and in 1865 he wrote a book entitled, A Collection of Favourite Hymns used by the Wesleyan Methodist Sabbath & Day Schools, of which Robert was superintendent. 
 
1881 sees Robert's occupation listed as magistrate and local preacher.
 
On 22nd July 1886 Robert was forced to be absent from a a day trip with the Wesleyan Sunday and day Schools to Burnham Beeches due to severe illness.  10 days later Robert passed away on 1st August 1886.
 
In 1891 the widowed Ann has moved to Wargrave to live with her sister Elizabeth Wright, before her own death in 1898.  Both Robert and Ann were interred in a vault beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street along with their daughter Jemima

***

Mary Ann Curtis Treffry was born Mary Ann Curtis Cullern on 4th September 1789, the second daughter of Thomas Cullern, a well respected tradesman in Maidenhead and his wife Ann Curties.  On 17th January 1820 Mary Ann married Robert Walker Snr in Dudley Worcestershire.  Both Mary Ann, her husband Robert Snr, son Robert and her step daughter Jemima Griffin Walker were extremely active Wesleyan Methodists and can be credited with the building of a Methodist Church in Maidenhead.

On 14th June 1830, Robert Walker Snr died and Mary Ann became a widow.  It was this that prompted her to move back to Maidenhead from Dudley to be closer to her son Robert and step brother John Higgs.  On 28th June 1835 Mary Ann became the teacher of the Methodist Sunday School.  On 9th November 1838 Mary Ann married Rev Richard Treffry at Hoxton London, where she lived with her new husband until 1833 when upon his retirement due to illness they moved back to Maidenhead.  Rev Treffry suffered greatly with sickness from 1833 until his death on 18th September 1842.  Mary Ann continued to be active in the Wesleyan Methodist community and completed man works for charity until her death from illness on 16th December 1864.  Mary Ann Treffry was interred in the family vault beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street, next to the remains of her grand-daughter Jemima.

In 1866 her relative James A Macdonald complied Mary Ann's memoirs into a book entitled Heavenward:  Memorials of Mrs M. A. C. Treffry of Maidenhead.

***

John Higg was born in Maidenhead on 29th June 1800 to John Higgs and his wife Ann Cullern.  John marries Jemima Griffin Walker on 10th December 1827.  In 1841 John Higgs is a Chemist living and working in Maidenhead High Street.  at the time of the 1841 Census, his sisters second husband Rev Richard Treffry is living with John and Jemima.  1851 and John and Jemima have moved in with their nephew/step brother Robert Walker.  John's occupations is now listed as magistrate, chemist and postmaster.  in 1861, 6 years before John's death the family is now living at Castle Hill Villa on St Mark's Road, Maidenhead.  John is now listed as a Justice of the Peace and local wesleyan preacher.  John Higgs passed away on 3rd June 1867.  John Higg was interred in the family vault beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street.

***

Jemima Griffin Higgs was born Jemima Griffin Walker in Dudley Worcestershire in 1807 to Robert Walker and his 1st wife Elizabeth Griffin.  Jemima remained in Maidenhead after her husband's death.  She lived alone with only one general servant for company until her own death on 3rd November 1886

On 13th November 1886 the Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported:

"Death of Mrs J. G. Higgs - In the removal by death of Mrs Jemima Griffin Higgs, of 3 Orchard Villas, Castle Hill, widow of the late John Higg.s Esq., J.P., who died on 4th June 1867, the local wesleyan body have lost another great supporter of their cause.  Mrs. Higgs had been in ill-health for many years,  and at times could only get about with assistance, and this necessitated her being for the most part confined to her house.  On Wednesday, the 3rd Inst., the deceased lady appeared if anything a little better than usual, but shortly after going to rest she had a fit of coughing and ruptured a blood vessel.  Dr. Plume and Mr. Montgomery were at once summoned, but their aid was of no avail, and the sufferer passed away at around 9 o'clock, having attained the age of 79.

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, at the Wesleyan chapel, in the presence of a large number of persons.  It was of the simplest possible description, which was in accordance of the oft-expressed wish of the deceased.  Not a single flower being placed on the coffin."

Jemima G Higgs joined the rest of her family in the vault beneath the Methodist church in Maidenhead High Street.

To read more about the history of Maidenhead's Methodist communityand it's church, please click here.

I hope you've enjoyed my delve into the history of this complicated but amazing family.  I know I have.



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Wednesday 28 November 2012

War Grave Wednesday - J. H. Golding


 

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".
 
 
 
James Henry Golding was born in London in 1876 to John Golding and Mary Eacott, a mangle and needlework woman.  Sometime between James's borth and 1881 Mary was widowed.
 
In 1891 census James is an errand boy.  I am unable to locate him on the 1901 census, but in 1906 James married Elizabeth Maynard in Eton.  In 1908 they had a daughter Amy Ethel.  By 1911 James was a postman working and living in Maidenhead Berkshire.
 
 
James Henry enlisted with the 3rd Royal Berkshire Regiment on 16th January 1914  However a problem that had plagued James since he was 27 years old was to cut his service when he was discharged as no longer being fit for service on 13th July 1915.  His Amy Pension Record states,
 
"Reason for discharge: Chronic suppurative disease of the middle ear.
He appears to be dull and stupid.  Probably on account of defective hearing which is only ½ of normal.  There is no discharge from the ears at present, but the ear specialist reports that there is a dry perforation with much destruction of membrane in both ears & that no improvement is likely.
Not fault of nor aggravated by service
Discharged as permanently unfit."
 
However in 1918 it seems that there was a change of mind as his record states,
"The Pension Appeal Tribunal decided on 22nd Nov 1918 that this man’s unfitness was aggravated by military service is consequence of the present war."
 
James continued to work at Maidenhead Post Office until this death on 5th Jaunary 1919
 



 


Tuesday 27 November 2012

Eliza and William Deacon - Hotel Keepers of Berkshire

(C) Nicola Carpenter 2012


Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Eliza and William Deacon, St Luke's Churchyard, Maidenhead Berkshire.


"In loving memory of Eliza Deacon who died 11th February 1886 aged 57 years.  She looked well to the ways of her household.
Also William Deacon who died 10th September 1894 aged 59 years.  His end was peace."

Eliza Deacon was born Eliza Harman in 1828 in Bray Berkshire to Richard Harman, a labourer and Sarah Skinner.  In 1851, 22 year old Eliza was a house servant for the Gilpin family at The Grange, Hockliffe Bedfordshire.  Eliza married William Deacon in Westminster Middlesex on 12th November 1866.  Eliza was William's second wife, together they had a son James Henry Deacon in 1870. 

William Deacon was born in 1835 in White Waltham Berkshire to Thomas Deacon, a horse breaker and his wife Elizabeth.  In 1856 William married his first wife Mary Woodhouse and together they had four children, William, Thomas, Mary Selina and Emma Esther.  Mary seems to vanish completely after the 1861 census, however I have been unable to locate a death for her.  In 1871 William can be found with his second wife Eliza running The Ray Thames Hotel in Ray Mead Road, Maidenhead Berkshire.  1881 find the family still at the hotel in Ray Mead Road, now named The Ray Mead Hotel.

After Eliza's death in 1886, William married Elizabeth Ann Aylett in 1888 in Colchester.  In 1889 William and Elizabeth moved to The East Arms Hotel in Hurley Berkshire, three years before William's death, they can be found there on the 1891 census.

Elizabeth continued to run the East arms Hotel after her husband's death until the late 1900s.  Unfortunately I cannot find out what happened to Elizabeth after 1917.

(C) Nicola Carpenter 2012



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Sunday 25 November 2012

Cemetery Sunday - A. H. Gosiewski, Pennine Aeroplane Accident in World War Two

 


Antoni Henryk Gosiewski was born Poland on 12th January 1900.  Sometime after the outbreak of World War II, Antoni joined the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary).  Some of the duties for ATA personal was ferrying new, repaired and damaged military aircraft between factories, assembly points and transatlantic delivery points.

Second Officer Antoni Henryk Gosiewski


It was during one of these flights that poor Antoni met his death.  On 19th December Antoni was ferrying a Miles Master W8479 between Reading and Leuchars Airfield, via Shewsbury, when he encountered bad weather over the Pennines causing him to fly into the summit of Arant Haw due to poor visibility.


Miles Master Aircraft


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Friday 23 November 2012

Clara Brown - Milliner's Apprentice



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.
 
 
 
Monument to Clara Brown, Methodist Church, High Street, Maidenhead Berkshire.
 
 
"In affectionate rememberance of  Clara Brown who fell asleep Feb. 10th 1882 aged 16 years."
 
Clara Brown was born in Maidenhead in 1867 to John Brown, a master bucther and Ann, a milliner (hat maker).
 
Clara first appears on the census in 1871 aged 4 living with her parents and siblings in Maidenhead at 101 High Street.  The family is there in 1881 and the 14 year old Clara is now a milliner's apprentice.
 
Sadly Clara's life was cut short on 10th Feburary 1882.
 
Clara's stone is no longer in it's original place.  In 1973 alterations were made to Maidenhead High street and the stones were removed and moved closer to the church wall.
 



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Wednesday 21 November 2012

War Grave Wednesday - W. J. T. Hall



"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them".
 
 
William John Thomas Hall was born in 1873 to William Thomas Hall, a Fly Proprietor, and his wife Ruth Shepard
 
A Fly Proprietor or Flyman was a man who drove a one horse light two wheeled carriage (a Fly).  Much like today's mini cabs.  Being a Fly Proprietor, William would have owned several Flys and employed people to drive them.  William Jr followed his father into the business as in 1891 he is listed as a Flyman.
 
Unfortunately I can find no further records of William until his death in 1917.
 


Tuesday 20 November 2012

Lady Eleanor Margaret Barry - Expired Suddenly in a Train




Monument to Eleanor Margaret Barry, Bray Parish cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.


"In the memory of Eleanor Margaret dearly loved wife of Sir Edward Barry. B. 11th February 1916."


Eleanor Margaret Barry was born Eleanor Margaret Scott in 1866 in India to Colonel Courtenay Harvey Saltron Scott and his wife Margaret Julia Colquhoun.  She was the elder sister of Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson.

The earliest record of  Eleanor in the United Kingdom is the 1881 Census, where Eleanor is living with her parents and siblings at 17 Eccleston Square in Westmister area of London.

On 10th February 1891 married Sir Edward Albert Barry, second Baronet of st Leonard's Hill and Keiss Castle. In 1893 their first child Cicely Eleanor Barry was born

In 1901 Eleanor can be found on the census living at Ockwells Manor in Bray Berkshire with her children Margaret Colquhoun and Edward Courtenay Tress.  Unfortunately I am unable to locate either Cicely or Edward Albert on the 1901 Census.

In 1911 Edward and Cecily are back in the family home along with Rosamunde who was born in 1901.

Sadly Eleanor was to pass away suddenly on 11th February 1916.  The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported on the 19th February 1916,

"WINDSOR.  Death of Lady Barry. Expires suddenly in a train.

We regret to record the death of Lady Barry, wife of Sir Edward Barry. Bart, of Ockwells Manor, near Windsor, which occurred with painful sadness whilst travelling on the Great Eastern Railway between King's Lynn and London, on Friday afternoon, 11th February.  Sir Edward, who had retired from the Royal Berks Yeomanry Regiment with the rank of Lieut-Colonel, took a temporary commission as Major or second-in-command on the outbreak of the war, and he has recently been quartered at King;s Lynn with the 2/1st Regiment of the Berks Yeomanry, together with his son Lieut Courtenay Barry

In celebration of their silver wedding anniversary on Wednesday in last week, Lady Barry travelled to Lynn to spend a few days with her husband and son, and was returning with Sir Edward when she had a fatal seizure, the rupture of a large blood vessel internally causing failure of the heart's action and almost instant death.  On arrival and Liverpool-street terminus, the railway officials lent every assistance, a doctor being summoned and the body conveyed to the mortuary in close proximity.

The inquest held by the Deputy-Coroner for the City on Monday, when the evidence of identification was given by Sir Edward Barry, and the medical testimony showed that her deceased Ladyship passed away practically without pain and instantaneously.

The jury returned a verdict of Death by Natural Causes."



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Sunday 18 November 2012

Cemetery Sunday - Air Transport Auxiliary ATA



A.R. Leslie-Melville
12th June 1942



The Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) was a British World War II civilian organisation that ferried new, repaired and damaged military aircraft between UK factories, assembly plants, transatlantic delivery points, Maintenance Units (MU), scrap yards, and active service squadrons and airfields. It also flew service personnel on urgent duty from one place to another and performed air ambulance work.

First Officer Alexander Ronald Leslie-Melvillle died 12th June 1942 when he flew into a hillside at Great Sled Dale in Yorkshire in bad visibility whilst flying bewteen Henlow and Silloth near Carlisle.


T.C.D. Bray
18th March 1942

First Officer Thomas Charles David Bray of Austrailia, reported missing between Kirkbride and Thorney Island.


 J.B. Erickson
9th May 1942

First Officer John Burge Erickson, his Blenheim aircaft collided with another Blenheim after take off at White Waltham airfield on 9th May 1942


R.H Winn
28th January 1942

Second Officer Richard Harry Winn, flew into ground in a forced landing at Bald Hill Stainmore Westmorland whilst flying bewteen Dumfries and Catterick.


 B.E. Sayer
15th March 1942

Cadet Betty Eileen Sayer, engine stalled on approach to White Waltham airfield, the aircraft crashed into two bungalows on Smithfield Road on 15th March 1942, residents of the bungalows, Mr and Mrs Croft and Mrs Freeman escaped.  Neighbours who tried in vain to save the aircrew received burns and other injuries.


F.J. Bush
23rd November 1941
 
 
Captain Francis Joseph Bush, during a flight from Prestwick to Hawarden the engine of the Liberator II aircraft caught fire before the plane crashed into the sea off Pidinny Hill Stranraer Wigtown Bay


 H.E. Taylor
17th August 1941

Second Officer Henry Edward Taylor, crashed whilst landing at White Waltham airfield on 10th August 1941.  Sadly he died of his injuries on 17th August 1941.


P. Randall
17th March 1941

Captain Percy Randall, flew a Hurricane aircraft into high ground at Bledlow Buckinghamshire during bad visibility whilst flying between Henlow and Hullavington.




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Friday 16 November 2012

Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson of Quarwood House



Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.

Monument to Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.


"In loving memory of Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson born 20th June 1868 died 21st May 1948 daughter of Colonel and Mrs C.H.S. Scott and wife of James Gray Flowerdew Lowson J.P. Ph.D  Member:  King's Bodyguard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers) of Quarwood House Stow-on-the-Wold. Gloucestershire and Mother of Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew Lowson, Bart.. M. A.. L. C. C Lord Mayor of London 1950-1951."


Adelaide Louisa Flowerdew Lowson was born Adelaide Louisa Scott in India on 20th June 1868 to Colonel Courtenay Harvey Saltron Scott and his wife Margaret J Colquhoun

On the 1881 Census Adelaide can be found living at 17 Eccleston Square in the Westminster area of London with her parents and elder sister Eleanor Margaret.

On 19th July 1890 Adelaide married James Gray Flowerdew Lowson, son of William Lowson and Helen Flowerdew.  James Gray Flowerdew Lowson was a Justice of the Peace, Captain of 9th Battalion Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), Member of the Royal County Archers and 1st District Commissioner of the Boy Scouts Stratforn-on-Avon and Stow-on the-Wold as well as being the Life Governor of U College Dundee. 

Together Adelaide and James had three children Eleanor Margaret Flowerdew Lowson born 1892, Courtenay Patrick Flowerdew Lowson born 1897 and Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew Lowson born 1906.

On the 1901 Scottish Census Adelaide can be found living at 18 Coates Gardens, Edinburgh, with her husband and two elder children, Eleanor and Courtenay.

1911 and the family has moved to Smithfield House in Stratford-on-Avon.

Eleanor married Major General William Revell Revell Smith and served as an Officer in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in World War I

Courtenay Patrick served in the during the First World War as an Observer with the Royal Flying Corps.  In March 1916 he became a flying instructor, but was sadly killed in a flying accident on 3rd November 1917 when his plane collided mid-air with the plane of Lieutenant Owen Ellis Augustus Allen.

Sir Denys Colquhoun Flowerdew Lowson became Lord Mayor of London on 30th September 1950 on 27th June 1851 the Lowson Baronetcy was created for Denys Lowson.  Presently the title is held by his son Sir Ian Patrick Lowson, 2nd Baronet.


Quarwood House


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