John Payne (1806 – 1881)

John Payne was born on 4 October 1806 in Henley on Thames, the son of James and Martha, nee Allen, Payne. He was baptized on 10 October 1806 at St Mary in Henley on Thames.

In the 1841 census John was recorded living in Barlow Yard, Hart Street in Henley on Thames with his mother Martha along with his sisters Mary and Harriet.  John was a chair maker. John’s mother Martha died in December 1845 and she was buried on 13 December at St Mary in Henley on Thames.

A few years later in the 1851 census John was living with his brother Benjamin and his wife Harriet and their children in Mills Yard off Cheap Street in Newbury. Benjamin was a chair maker and turner and John a general labourer.

Ten years later in the 1861 census John was again recorded living with his brother Benjamin and two of his children John and Harriet in Cheap Street in Newbury. Benjamin was a chair maker employing 11 men, Harriet was recorded as a housekeeper for her father and both Johns were chair makers.

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

In the 1881 census John was recorded in Newbury Union Workhouse and his occupation was chair maker.

John died on 16 December 1881 aged 76 in Newbury Union Workhouse and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 21 December. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 22 December as below.

PAYNE – Dec. 16, at the Workhouse, Newbury, John Payne aged 76.

John’s brother Benjamin was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 11 July 1887.

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