John Giles

1798-1867

John, his parents and siblings:

John was born on the 20^th January 1798, he was on the 25^th February 1798 baptised at St Mary’s Church, Thatcham, Berkshire, the son of Daniel and Ann Giles (nee Bettridge) who were married on the 28^th October 1796 at St Mary’s Church, Thatcham (both were single).

John’s father Daniel was baptised on the 28^th December 1770 at St Mary’s Church, Thatcham, Berkshire, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Giles. The 1841 census records him as a Painter aged 70 living in Thatcham with his wife Ann 70. Daniel died aged 73 in 1844, he was buried on the 4^th November at St Mary Thatcham.

His mother Ann was baptised on the 10^th March, 1771 at St Mary’s Church, Thatcham, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Bet(t)ridge.  She died aged 71 in 1842, she was buried on the 5^th July at St Mary, Thatcham.

Daniel and Ann also had two other sons baptised in Thatcham, George born 2^nd July, baptised 27^th July 1800 and Richard baptised 26^th September 1802.

John in later life:

John married Elizabeth Keep on the 14^th November 1822 in Shinfield, Berkshire. (Witnesses: Harriet Keep and Thomas Martin)

(Elizabeth was baptised in 1794 in Denchworth, Berkshire, the daughter of James and Sarah Keep (nee Frogley) who were married in 1794 in Denchworth).

John and Elizabeth had the following children:
George baptised 13^th August 1824 at St Laurence, Reading, Berkshire (died aged 6 days, buried at St Laurence, Reading, Berkshire).

Elizabeth baptised 13^th November 1827 at St Laurence, Reading

Harriet Rebecca baptised 26^th December 1828 at St Gilles, Reading (died in 1829, buried on the 4^th March at St Giles, Reading)

On all three baptism records, John was recorded as a Victualler/Publican. In 1824 and 1827 he was recorded at the George Tap, Yield Hall (in Minster Street, Reading) and in 1828 he was recorded in Horn Street, Reading.

In approximately 1830 John decided on a change of career. He went to work for the Reading Mercury (the principal journal in Berkshire). John was the local correspondent for Newbury. On Saturdays he would drive into town in a red cart, with his bundle of newspapers, announcing his arrival by blowing a horn and would be met with great excitement.

By 1840 a branch office was opened at 48 Northbrook Street, Newbury, John became the branch manager.

Reading Mercury

Dated 21^st March 1840

Reading Mercury and Newbury Herald Office

48 Northbrook Street, Newbury

The Public are respectfully informed, that to enable Mr. John Giles, the Publisher of the Reading Mercury and Newbury Herald, for Newbury, Speen, and the Neighbourhood, to deliver his Papers with more expedition and to afford greater facility in forwarding Advertisements, Articles of Intelligence &c.

A BRANCH OFFICE

is opened in Northbrook Street, where this Journal may in future be procured at Seven o’clock every Saturday evening.

As this arrangement will render any other Agency for this district unnecessary. All communications, Advertisements, and orders for Reading Mercury and Newbury Herald, are requested to be forwarded through MR. GILES, SOLE AGENT, for Newbury, Speenhamland, and the Neighbourhood, as early in the week as possible.

In the 1841, 1851 and 1861 census records John was recorded as a News Agent.

The 1841 census records John (40), Elizabeth (45) and their daughter Elizabeth (13) living in Northbrook Street, Newbury.

His daughter Elizabeth married Charles Wheeler in 1848 in Speenhamland. They had two daughters Alice born in 1851, (died aged 6, in 1856, buried in the NRC on the 19^th March) and Kate born in 1853 and a son John Giles Wheeler born c1849.

The 1851 census records John (53), Elizabeth (55), their son-in-law Charles Wheeler (27) a Lawyer’s Clerk, their daughter Elizabeth Wheeler (23), their grandson John Wheeler (2), Rebekah Giles (23) (recorded as a visitor, (she was John’s niece, the daughter of his brother Richard and his wife Mary)) and Ann Carter (19) a House Servant, living in the Market Place, Newbury.

John’s son-in-law Charles Wheeler died aged 34, after a short illness, on the 14^th March 1857, he was buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 16^th March.

His daughter Elizabeth remarried on the 14^th September 1858 at All Saints, Knightsbridge, Westminster, her 2^nd husband was William Charles Martin.

In 1861 John (63), Elizabeth (65,) their grandson John Wheeler (12) and a domestic servant were again recorded living in the Market Place, Newbury.

John died (age at death recorded as 70) on the 3^rd July 1867, he was laid to rest in a family vault in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th July, with his granddaughter Alice Wheeler (buried 1856) and his son-in-law Charles Wheeler (buried 1857).

Probate: GILES John     Effects under £1000       9^th August 1867            The Will of John Giles late of Newbury in the County of Berks News Agent deceased who died 3^rd July 1867 at Newbury aforesaid was proved at the Principal Registry by the oaths of William Higginson of Donnington-road near Newbury in the County aforesaid Gentleman and Henry Dolton of Newbury in the County aforesaid Corn Merchant two of the Executors.

The 1871 census records Elizabeth (75) as an Annuitant, living in White Hall Road, Woodford, Essex with her son-in-law William Charles Martin (40), her daughter Elizabeth Martin (42) and her grandsons, John Giles Wheeler (22) and William Giles Martin (11)

Elizabeth Giles died aged 76 on the 2^nd June 1872 in Woodford, her body was brought to Newbury and she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 6^th June with her husband John, her son-in-law Charles Wheeler and her granddaughter Alice Wheeler.

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