Peter Allen

c1820-1897

Peter was born in Bucklebury, Berkshire. He was baptised on the 28^th March 1820 at St Mary, Bucklebury, the son of John and Elizabeth Allen (nee Money) who were married on the 21^st May 1804, in Bucklebury

Peter’s siblings were (baptised in Bucklebury):

John, 1813

William, 1815

James, 1816

Harriett, 1818

Charles, 1822

In 1841 Peter (20) was recorded as a Sawyer, living in The Village, Ardington, Berkshire.

The 1851 census records Peter (31), as a Sawyer, lodging in Friars Wharf, St Ebbe, Oxford.

In 1861 Peter (42) was recorded as a Sawyer, was living in Back Lane, Newbury, with his “wife” Maria (29), his son Frederick (1), a nephew, Richard Wheeler (15) and his “father-in-law”, Thomas Powers (72) (Maria’s father).

Although Maria was recorded as Peter’s wife in 1861, they did not marry until 1869 (see marriage details below***)

Frederick’s birth was registered as Frederick Allen Powers in the December quarter 1859

They also had the following children before they married:

Maria Allen, 1861

Thomas Allen, 1863 (died aged 6, in 1869, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 17^th September).

Walter Allen, 1868 (died age 1, in 1869, buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th October). 

***Marriage details:

Place: St Michael, Mark Street, Shoreditch

Date: 13^th December 1869

Groom: Peter Allen, aged 49, bachelor, occupation, Timber Agent, abode, 60 Leonard Street

Bride: Maria Powers, aged 38, spinster, occupation, Servant, abode, 60 Leonard Street

Fathers; John Allen, a Sawyer and Thomas Powers, a Bricklayer

(Maria was born on the 15^th January 1834, she baptised on the 2^nd March 1834, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of Thomas (a Bricklayer) and Sarah Powers, of Back Lane, Newbury)

Peter and Maria also had a son, Henry Peter Allen in 1871.

In 1871 Peter (51) was recorded as a Timber Dealer, living in Cheap Street, Newbury, with Maria (39), Frederick (11) and Maria (9).

The 1881 census records Peter (60) as a Timber Dealer, living in Ham Lane, Greenham, Berkshire, with Maria (48), Frederick (21), a Sawyer, Maria (19), a Laundress and Peter (9) (Henry Peter)

In 1891 Peter (70), a Timber Dealer, Maria (57), their daughter Maria (30), and their grandson Thomas (10) (Maria’s illegitimate son) were recorded living in Gas House Road, Greenham.

Peter died aged 78 on the 20^th October 1897. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 25^th October.

The 1901 census records Maria (66) living at 3 Derby Cottages, King’s Road, Newbury. Her daughter Maria (38) and her grandsons, Thomas (20) a Printer/Compositor and Frederick (14), (Peter Frederick) a Timber Merchant’s Office Boy were recorded living with her.

Maria died aged 75 on the 15^th December 1908. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 21^st December.

Probate: ALLEN Peter of Greenham Berkshire timber-merchant died 20^th October 1897 Probate London 19^th January 1898 to Henry Jordan Midwinter corn-merchant and Frederick Allen farmer Effects: £18 3s 6d

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