John Foster

c1810-1885

John was baptised on the 2^nd September 1810 at St Mary Ovington, Essex, the son of Joseph and Mary Foster.

Joseph and Mary also had the following two sons baptised at St Mary Ovington:

William baptised on the 10^th January 1808

James born 6^th March 1812, baptised on the 29^th March 1812 

By 1830 John was working as a Tailor in Northbrook Street, Newbury.

The 1841 census records John (30) as a Draper, living with his wife Martha (35) in Northbrook Street Newbury.

(According to census records Martha was born was born c1798 in Newbury. No marriage found yet for John and Martha)

John and Martha were still living in Northbrook Street, Newbury when the 1851 census was taken.

In 1861 John (50) was record as a Gentleman boarding at the Jack of Newbury Hotel, Newbury. The 1871 census records him as a Retired Clothier living at 2 The Holly’s, Lexden, Colchester, Essex. The 1861 census records Martha (60) as a Draper’s Wife, living in West Street, Newbury. She was also recorded living in West Street in the 1871 census.

Martha died aged 78 in 1876, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 19^th January. (Surname registered as Forster at time of death). John remarried less than 2 weeks later

Marriage details:
Place: S Giles, Camberwell, Surrey

Date: 1^st February 1876

Groom: John Foster, full age, widower, Gentleman, abode: Wokingham, Berkshire

Bride: Mary Ann Sangwell, full age, spinster, abode, Camberwell, Surrey

Fathers: Joseph Foster, a Farmer and Daniel Sangwell, a Farmer

Witnesses: Alice Palmer and Lucy Palmer

Bride and Groom both sighed

(Mary Ann was born c1831 in Woolhampton, Berkshire, the daughter of Daniel and Jane Sangwell)

In 1881 John (70), was again recorded as a Retired Clothier. He was living in Westfields with Mary Ann (50).

John died aged 74 on the 12^th June 1885 he was laid to rest in an unconsecrated brick grave in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 17^th June.

His widow Mary Ann died aged 77 on the 28^th August 1908 she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 1^st September.

Probate:  FOSTER John        Personal Estate: £2993 16s 10d           26^th  October 1885    The Will of John Fletcher late of Newbury in the County of Berks Gentleman who died 12^th June 1885 at Newbury was proved  at Oxford by Mary Ann Foster Widow the Relict and Bright Wool of Colchester in the County of Essex Gentleman the Executors

Sources: