Charles Henry Payne (1853 – 1908)

Charles was born in 1853 in Alton in Hampshire, the son of Matthew and Susan Payne. He was baptized on 23 November 1853 at All Saints in Alton, as Charles Payne. He started using the name Charles Henry from the 1881 census and later.

In the 1861 and 1871 census Charles was living with his parents and siblings. In 1861 they were in Woodford in Northamptonshire while in 1871 they were in Kettering, still in Northamptonshire. Charles was recorded as a carpenter in 1871 while his father Matthew was a master carpenter.

Charles married Elizabeth Mary Booth on 28 June 1874 at St Peter and Paul in Kettering. Mary was born in 1854 in Iron Bridge, Shropshire. At the time of the marriage Charles was living in Duke Street in Kettering and was a builder while Mary was living in Market Street and was a dress maker.

In the 1881 census Charles and Elizabeth Mary were recorded with children Victor aged 5, Violet aged 3 and Marguerite aged 2 at 2 Cross Street in Kettering with Charles an architect and surveyor.

Ten years later in the 1891 census Charles and Elizabeth Mary were recorded with children Victor aged 15, Violet aged 13, Marguerite aged 12, Henry Ernest aged 9, Bertram Vivian aged 5, Cecil William aged 4 and Alfred aged 3 at 7 Bridge Road, Chesterton in Cambridgeshire. Charles was recorded as an architect, surveyor and civil engineer while Victor was a builder’s apprentice.

By the time of the 1901 census Charles and Elizabeth Mary had moved to Blackford Farm in Highclere where they were recorded with children Violet aged 23, Bertram Vivian aged 15, Cecil William aged 14, Alfred aged 13, George Neville aged 9 and Ethel aged 7. Charles was recorded as a poultry farmer, appliance agent and journalist while Violet was a poultry farmer’s clerk.

Charles was admitted to the Berkshire Lunatic Asylum on 20 July 1907 and he died there on 6 February 1908. he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 11 February

In the 1911 census Mary Elizabeth was recorded at 45 York Road in Newbury with children Cecil William, George Neville and Ethel. Cecil was a carpenter, George a clerk/book-keeper and Ethel a milliner.

Ten years later in the 1921 census Elizabeth was recorded at 152 Hemdean Road in Reading with children Henry Ernest, Alfred, George Neville and Ethel. Henry was a building carpenter, Alfred a carpenter / motor lorry repairs, George an ironmonger clerk and Ethel a milliner.

Elizabeth died in May 1927 while still living at 152 Hemdean Road and she was buried at Hemdean Road Cemetery in Caversham on 2 June.

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