Francis Freeman

c1825-1888

Francis, his parents, siblings and early life:

Francis was a Wheelwright and Carpenter. He was baptised on the 17^th January 1825 in Greenham, Berkshire, the son of Benjamin and Frances Freeman (nee Cooper), who were married on the 27^th December 1813, in Pangbourne, Berkshire.

Benjamin was a Wheelwright, he was born on the 6^th February 1785, he was baptised on the 6^th March 1785, in Greenham, the son of John and Elizabeth Freeman (nee Challis) who were married on the 3^rd April 1777 at St Nicolas Church Newbury. (Both were single and John was recorded as being from Thatcham). Benjamin died aged 101, on the 10^th February 1886. (Date of burial unknown)

His mother Fanny (aka Frances) was baptised in 1787 in Pangbourne, Berkshire, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Cooper (nee Barlow) who were married in 1774 in Pangbourne. Fanny died aged 70, in 1858, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th April.

Benjamin and Fanny also had the following children:

John Thomas baptised 8^th January 1815 in Greenham

Jane baptised 1816 in Pangbourne

James baptised on the 6^th September 1818 in Greenham

Mary Ann baptised on the 5^th May 1820 in Greenham

William born c1821

Benjamin born c1823

Sarah born c1828

Fanny born c1830

In 1841 Francis ((15) was living with his father Benjamin (55), his mother Frances (50) and his sisters Sarah (12) and Fanny (10), in Greenham Street, Greenham.

The 1851 census records Francis (26) living in Stroud Green, Greenham, with his father Benjamin (66), his mother Fanny (63) and his sister Sarah (22), a Dressmaker.

Francis in later life:

Francis married Elizabeth Church in 1851 (marriage registered in Newbury)

(Elizabeth was born in Bagnor, Berkshire, she was baptised on the 19^th September 1824 at St Mary the Virgin, Speen, Berkshire the base born daughter of Hannah Church of Bagnor).

Francis and Elizabeth had the following children:

Mary Ann 1852

Sarah 1854

James 1856

Fanny 1858

Elizabeth c1861

Jane 1863

Eliza 1868

The 1861, 1871 and 1881 census records record the family living in Stroud, Green Greenham, Berkshire, as follows:

1861: Francis (36), Elizabeth (36), Mary Ann (8), Sarah (6), James (4), Fanny (2) and Elizabeth (2 months).

1871:  Francis (46), Elizabeth (46), James (14), Fanny (12), Elizabeth (10), Jane (7) and Eliza (5).

1881: Francis Freeman (56), Elizabeth (56), and Eliza (13)

Francis died aged 63 on the 5^th September 1888, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 10^th September.

Elizabeth remarried in 1891. Her 2^nd husband was John Keep, a widower.

In 1891 John (58) was recorded as a Wharfinger, living at Weighbridge House, Wharf Road, Newbury, with Elizabeth (63).

The 1901 census records John (68), as a Canal Porter living in Wharf Road, Newbury with and Elizabeth (75).

Elizabeth died aged 85, on the 8^th April 1910, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 10^th April. (Her daughter Elizabeth Vaughan was buried with her in 1913)

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