Sarah Payne (1779 – 1854)

Sarah Payne was recorded in the 1851 census in West Mills in Newbury. The head of the house was John Mills aged 35, a carpenter born in Newbury. Also, recorded in the house was his wife Eliza aged 37, son George aged 11 and daughter Jane Maria aged 2, who were all born in Newbury. Sarah is listed as John’s mother-in-law and as a visitor from Sussex. She is recorded as 72 years old and born in Twineham in Sussex.

If Sarah was John Mill’s mother-in-law then it would be expected that she should be Eliza’s mother. John Mills had married Eliza Langton on 24 November 1838 at St Nicolas in Newbury. Eliza was baptized on 25 August 1813 at St Nicolas, the daughter of John and Jane, no mention of any Sarah, so it looks as though Sarah was not Eliza’s mother.

It is possible that Sarah was John Mill’s step mother. John Mills was baptized on 10 September 1815 at St Nicolas in Newbury the son of John, a private in 5^th regiment of foot, and Sarah. John and Sarah remained in Newbury for a number of years as Sarah Mills aged 9 was buried at St Nicolas in Newbury on 1 November 1820, it was recorded she was the daughter of John and Sarah. On 16 August 1823 at St Mary in Thatcham Joseph Payne (actually record as Pain) a widower married Sarah Mills a widow.

Sarah died on 19 July 1854 at Saint Mary’s Hill in Newbury. She was recorded as the widow of Joseph Payne, a blacksmith. Sarah was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 25 July.

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