George Sidney Paine (1862 – 1928)

                                    Mary Bourne Paine (1864 – 1945)

George Sidney Paine was born in 1862 in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, the son of John Kettle and Ann, nee Baker, Paine. He was baptized on 26 March 1862 at St Charles the Martyr in Tunbridge Wells, his father John was a draper.

In the 1871 census George was not recorded with his parents and siblings but living at 128 High Street in Woolwich as a scholar. There were 16 people recorded in the house including 12 draper’s assistants, one of whom was Mary Paine aged 61, single born in Appledore in Kent and possibly a relation.

Subsequently in the 1881 census George was recorded at 567 Commercial Road in Mile End along with his brother Percy aged 15 and a cousin Sarah Ann Batchelor aged 36. Sarah was a housekeeper, George a draper and Percy a draper’s clerk.

George married Mary Bourne Tomes on 6 August 1889 at St John the Baptist in Wakefield. At the time of the marriage George was a draper living at Westcombe Park in Greenwich while Mary was living at Wentworth Terrace in Wakefield.

Mary was born on 28 September 1864 in Gloucester, the daughter of John and Ann, nee Robinson, Tomes. She was baptized on 26 October 1864 at St James in Gloucester, John was a linen draper. In the 1871 census she was living with her parents and siblings in Howard Street in Gloucester. Her mother Ann died in 1879 in Gloucester. Two years later in the 1881 census Mary was recorded with her father, brother Tom aged 20 and sister Mabel aged 12 at 139 Westgate Street in Gloucester. John was a woollen draper, Tom a draper’s assistant while Mary had no occupation record.

In the 1891 census George and Mary along with son John Sidney aged 6 months were recorded with Mary’s sister Teresa Ann Hudson and her husband Charles James Hudson at 4 Wentworth Terrace in Wakefield. George was a draper and his brother in-law Charles a solicitor and town clerk.

Ten years later in the 1901 census George and Mary with children John (aged 10), Stanley (aged 8), Wilfred (aged 6), Eric (aged 5) and Dora (aged 2) along with 3 servants were record at 186 Eglinton Road in Plumstead. George was still a draper.

By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to Newbury and were living at Merlindale, 44 Howard Road. George and Mary along with six sons, John Sidney aged 20, Stanley Herbert aged 18, Wilfred George aged 16, Eric Charles aged 15, Leonard Ernest aged 8 and Maurice William aged 5 and daughter Dora aged 12. There was also a general domestic servant living in the house. George was a hosier running his own business and the three eldest sons were assisting him while Eric was a chemist’s apprentice.

George and Mary were still living at 44 Howard Road in 1921 with four of their sons, John, Wilfred, Leonard and Maurice and daughter Dora. George was a gents general outfitter based at 21 Northbrook Street, his sons John and Maurice were also assisting in the business. Another son Leonard was an apprentice ironmonger.

George died on 6 April 1928 aged 66 while living at 44 Howard Road. and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 11 April. He left a will and probate was granted on 19 May 1928 at Oxford to his widow Mary Bourne Paine and sons John Sidney and Maurice William, both drapers. The value of the estate was £10,464 3s 10d.

When the national register was compiled in September 1939 Mary was still living at 44 Howard Road in 1921 along with her sons John, Wilfred and Maurice and daughter Dora. John and Maurice were recorded as gents outfitters while their brother Wilfred was incapacitated. Dora’s occupation was recorded as unpaid domestic duties.

Mary died on 8 October 1945 aged 81 still living at 44 Howard Road. and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 12 October. She left a will and probate was granted on 15 April 1946 at Oxford to sons John Sidney Paine, outfitter, and Wilfred George Paine, no occupation. The value of the estate was £3,841 15s 4d.

Two of George and Mary’s children were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, son John Sidny Paine on 24 October 1969 and daughter Dora Helen Mary Paine on 21 July 1960.

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