John Himmons

1857-1913

John’s family name has been spelt differently at various times. His birth was registered as John Hemans in the September quarter of 1857 in Newbury, Berkshire. He was the son of John and Harriet Maria Himmins (nee Pettit) who were married in 1856 (marriage registered in Newbury).

In 1861 John (3) was living in Shaw Fields, Thatcham, Berkshire, with his parents John (30), an Agricultural Labourer and Harriet (32). (Surname recorded as Hemmens on ancestry)

The 1871 census records John (13), his parents and his siblings Mary (9), William (7), David (4) and Ruth (1), living in Shaw Fields. (Surname recorded as Hemmila on ancestry)

John’s parents both died in 1879, His father John was buried on the 5^th January and his mother Harriet was buried on the 25^th January, both were buried at St Mary the Virgin Shaw

John Himmons married Ellen Dennis in Newbury in 1881.

(Ellen was born in 1859 in Woodspeen, Berkshire, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Dennis (nee Cooper) who were married in 1850 (marriage registered in Newbury).

John and Ellen had the following children (all births registered with the surname Himmons):

Ellen 1882

Mary 1884

William John c1887

Ada Elizabeth 1891 (died aged 1 in 1892, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th December)

Harry 1894 (died aged 19 in 1913, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 5^th August)

Elsie Elizabeth 1900

Albert 1903 (died aged 3 weeks, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th May)

The 1881 census records John (23) as a Weighbridge Clerk G.W.R. living in Shaw Fields with Ellen (21). Also recorded in the household were John’s brothers, William (16) a Clerk in Coal Wharf and David (13), a Rivet Boy in Iron Foundry. (Surname recorded as Himmons on ancestry)

In 1891 John (33) was working as a Gardener, he was living in Northcroft Lane, Newbury with Ellen (31) and their children Ellen (8), Mary (6), John (4) and Ada (1 month). (Surname recorded as Hammons on ancestry)

By 1901 the family had moved to 11 Adey’s Buildings, Stroud Green, Newbury. The census for that year recorded the surname as Hammond (on ancestry). John (43) was working as a Coal Porter, his daughters Nellie (18) and Mary (16) were working as Laundresses and his son William (14) was a ? Boy Post Messenger.

The 1911 census also records John Himmons as a Coal Porter, he was living in Adey’s Buildings with his wife Ellen and their children Harry (17), a Garden Labourer and Elsie (11).

John Himmons died aged 55 on the 29^th January 1913, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 1^st February.

Ellen Himmons died aged 70 in 1930 (death registered in Newbury)

Probate: HIMMONS John of 11 Adey’s Buildings York Road Newbury Berkshire coal porter died 29^th January 1913 Administration Oxford 24^th February to Ellen Himmons widow. Effects: £132

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