Charles Richards

1820-1857

Charles, his parents, siblings and early life:

Charles was baptised on the 26^th November 1820 in Melksham, Wiltshire, the son of John (a Labourer) and Sarah Richards (nee Redman) who were married on the 13^th June 1819, in Melksham.

His father John was baptised on the 15^th October 1797, in Melksham, the son of John and Charlotte Richards (nee Marsham), who were married on the 27^th March 1796, in Melksham.

His mother Sarah was baptised on the 5^th August 1798, in Melksham, the daughter of John and Rachel Rudman (nee Healps) who were married on the 28^th December 1789, in Broughton Gifford, Wiltshire.

John and Sarah also had the following children:

Rachel, baptised 3^rd November 1822 in Melksham (dad a Labourer)

Henry, baptiised 19^th February 1826 in Semington, Wiltshire (dad a Wharfinger)

Mary, baptised 29^th July 1827 in Semington (dad a Wharfinger)

Charles’ mother died before 1836. His father John remarried on the 1^stJanuary 1836, at St Mary, Greenham, Berkshire. His 2^nd wife was Elizabeth Butt, a widow.

The 1841 census records John (40) as a Corn Porter, living in Stroud Green, Greenham, Berkshire, with Elizabeth (40) and her children Henry Butt (15) and Benjamin Butt (15).

The 1851 census records John (54), a Corn Porter and Elizabeth (57), living in Newbury Wharf. John died aged 54 on the 3^rd May 1852, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th May.

Charles in later life:

In 1841 Charles (20) was working as a Labourer, living at the White Hart, Newbury, Berkshire.

Charles married in 1846

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas Church, Newbury

Date: 12^th September 1846

Groom: Charles Richards, full age, bachelor, occupation, Corn Factor, abode, Newbury

Bride: Jane Lawrence, full age, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: John Richards, a Corn Factor and John Lawrence, a Labourer

Witnesses: Henry Richards and Maria Wickens

(Jane was baptised on the 21^st May 1822, at St James, Leckhampstead, Berkshire, the daughter of John and Mary Lawrence, (nee Chamberlain) who were married on the 13^th December 1813, in Leckhampstead)

Charles and Jane had the following children (baptised at St Nicolas, Newbury):

Mary Jane, 29^th August 1847 (died aged 7, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 6^th February 1855).

Charlotte, 29^th April 1849

Elizabeth, 27^th October 1850 (died aged 75, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 1^st Oct. 1926)

John, 28^th December 1851

In 1851 Charles (30), a Corn Porter, Jane (28), Mary (3), Charlotte (2) and Elizabeth (7 months) were living in Newbury, Berkshire.

Charles died aged 36 on the 5^th February 1857, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 10^th February with his daughter Mary Jane (buried 1855).

The 1861 census records Jane (39) as a Corn factor, living in Corn Wharf, Newbury, with her children, Charlotte (12) and Elizabeth (10) and John (9).

The 1871 census records Jane (50), a Corn Porter, Charlotte (21) a Pupil Teacher, Elizabeth (20) and John (19) a Corn Salesman, living in Corn Wharf, Newbury.

In 1881 Jane (61) was recorded living in Corn Wharf. Also recorded living with her were 3 boarders.

The 1891 census records Jane (71) living at 6 Kimber’s Almshouses, Market Place, Newbury. Also recorded in the household was her daughter Elizabeth (40), a Nursery Governess and a visitor, Frank Carter (5) (Frank was her grandson, the son of daughter Charlotte)

Jane died age 73 on the 18^th June 1892. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery with her husband, (buried 1857) and her daughter Mary Jane, (buried 1855) on the 24^th June.

Charles and Jane’s daughter Elizabeth was buried with her parents and sister, Mary Jane, in 1926.

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