Ann Close (1822 – 1911)

Ann Munro was baptized on 14 July 1822 at St Andrew in Newcastle on Tyne, the daughter of Daniel and Margaret.

In the 1851 census Ann was recorded living with her widowed mother Margaret and sister Mary in Belenheim Street in Newcastle on Tyne. Ann was a dressmaker and Mary a milliner.

Ann married George Silverton Close on 10 November 1856 in Newcastle on Tyne. George was born circa 1818 in Hexham.

In the 1861 census George and Ann were living at 5 Levaine Road in Newcastle on Tyne with George’s sister Jane Close and niece Thomasine Ann Close. George was recorded as a draper. Ten years in the 1871 census George and Ann were still living at 5 Levaine Road with Jane and Thomasine. William was record as a draper’s assistant.

George died in 1877 in Newcastle on Tyne.

Ann was recorded living with her niece Thomasine Close at 19 Falconer Street in Newcastle in the 1881 census. Neither Ann or Thomasine had any occupation recorded.

 Ten years later in the 1891 census Ann was recorded living with her unmarried sister Mary Munro at 214 Lambert Terrace, Byker in Newcastle. Ann’s occupation was recorded as “lets apartments”.

By the time of the 1901 census Ann had moved south and was living with her widowed sister Jane Payne at Wash Common. Both Ann and Jane were recorded as living on their own means. Just over a week after the census Jane died on 8 April 1891 at The Cottage, Wash Common aged 82 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 12 April.

 Anne died on 7 February 1901 aged 88 while living at 78 Northbrook Street and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 10 February 1911.

A short report of the funeral appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 16 February as below.

The funeral took place on Friday of Mrs. Anne Close, late of Newcastle-on-Tyne, widow of the late Mr. George Silvertop Close, and aunt of Mrs. Gibson of Newbury.

The deceased died at 78 Northbrook Street at the great age of 88. The internment at the Cemetery was conducted by the Rector of Newbury.

The mourners were Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Gibson, Kathleen and Munro Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Payne, Mr. Ridley, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Mr. Thomas.

Beautiful floral tributes were sent by Fred and Kate, Munro and Kathleen, Mr. and Mrs, Payne, Mrs. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs, Haines, Mrs. Sturges, and also a harp with broken strings bearing no name.

The coffin, polished and fitted with brass furniture, with raised and moulded lid bore the inscription

ANNE CLOSE Died February 7, 1911, Aged 88 years,

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Windsor and Neate, Newbury.

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