William Willis (1815 – 1882)

                                    Martha Willis (1816 – 1876)

George Willis (1839 – 1851)

Mary Ann Willis (1846 – 1869)

William Willis was born circa 1815 in Newbury. He married Martha Marshall on 19 October 1836 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Martha was born circa 1816 in Newbury. A son George was born in Newbury in 1839.

In the 1841 census William and Martha were living in Northcroft Lane in Newbury with son George aged 1, William was recorded as a baker.

A daughter Mary Louisa was born just after the 1841 census, although she sadly died in 1843 and was buried at St Nicolas in Newbury on 10 May 1843. Martha and William then had another three daughters, Martha in 1843, Mary Ann in 1846 and Sarah Louise in 1848.

Sadly, George died in February 1851 aged 11 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery in Newbury on 14 February 1851.

A few weeks later in the 1851 census William and Martha were still living in Northcroft Lane with daughters Martha, Mary and Sarah. William was recorded as a butcher and Martha as a shoe builder.

Ten years later in the 1861 census William and Martha were still in Northcroft Lane with daughters Mary, Sarah, Caroline aged 5 and Harriet aged 2. William was now as a master butcher.

Mary Ann died on 8 October 1869 aged 23 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 12 October 1869. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News of 14 October 1869 as below.

Oct. 8, Mary Ann Willis, daughter of Mr. William Willis, butcher, Northcroft Lane, Newbury, aged 23.

William and Martha had not moved and were still in Northcroft Lane in the 1871 census with daughters Caroline and Harriet. William was recorded as a butcher, Martha as a shoe binder and Caroline as an apprentice.

Martha died on 17 March 1876 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 24 March. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 23 March 1876 as below.

WILLIS – Mar. 17, Martha, the beloved wife of W. Willis, Northcroft Lane, in her 60th year.

William remarried on 12 October 1876 at Newbury parish church to a widow Hannah Butler, nee Legg. Hannah had married Henry Butler on 8 March 1832 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Henry had died on 30 December 1874.

William and Hannah were living in Northcroft Lane in the 1881 census. William had no occupation recorded but he was recorded as being paralysed.

William died on 15 February 1882 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 18 February. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 2 March 1882 as below.

WILLIS – Feb. 15, William Willis, of Newbury, aged 65 years.

Hannah died on 18 February 1888 in Newbury and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 22 February 1888.

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