Benjamin Payne (1804 – 1887)

                                    Harriet Payne (1804 – 1858)

Benjamin Payne was born on 15 October 1804 in Henley on Thames, the son of James and Martha, nee Allen, Payne. He was baptized on 4 November 1804 at St Mary in Henley on Thames.

Benjamin married Harriet Allen on 31 January 1833 at St Mary in Thatcham. Harriet was born circa 1804 in Theale.

In the 1841 census Benjamin and Harriet were recorded living in Cheap Street in Thatcham along with their children Benjamin aged 7, William aged 5 and Harriet aged 3. Benjamin was a chair maker.

Ten years later in the 1851 census Benjamin and Harriet and children Benjamin aged 16, William aged 14, Harriet aged 12, John aged 8 and Eleanor aged 4 along with Benjamin’s brother John Payne were living in Mills Yard off Cheap Street in Newbury. Benjamin senior was a chair maker and turner and his brother John a general labourer.

Harriet died in July 1858 aged 54 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 30 July.

A few years later in the 1861 census Benjamin was living with his son John aged 18 and daughter Harriet aged 20 together with his brother John in Cheap Street in Newbury. Benjamin was a chair maker employing 11 men and Harriet was recorded as a housekeeper for her father.

By the time of the 1871 census Benjamin was living with his daughter Eleanor Copas, her husband Henry and his brother John in Greenham Wharf, Mill Lane in Newbury. Benjamin and Henry were both chair makers.

In the Newbury Weekly News dated 9, 16, 23 and 30 October 1879 there was an announcement that Benjamin Payne, chair manufacturer of Greenham Wharf had disposed of his business to his son John Allen Payne and his son in law Henry Copas who for several years had successfully managed the business.

In the 1881 census Benjamin was still living in Greenham Wharf with his daughter Eleanor and her family, including 4 children, and he was still a chair maker.

Benjamin died on 10 July 1887 aged 82 and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 11 July after a service at St John the Evangelist. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 14 July as below.

PAYNE – July 10, at Greenham Wharf, Benjamin Payne, in his 83rd year. His end was peace.

John Allen Payne, son of Benjamin and Harriet, died on 22 December 1891 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 28 December.

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