Isabel Percy (1863 – 1942) 

Isabel Percy was born on 4 November 1863 in Newbury the daughter of George Peover and Hariet Mary, nee Pullen, Percy. In the 1871 census she was recorded living with her parents and siblings at St Mary’s Hill in Newbury, her father George was a currier.

Isabel started studying on 23 August 1875 at the Girls British School in Newbury, the family were still living at St Mary’s Hill. She left the school on 10 May 1877.

Subsequently in the 1881 census Isabel was recorded with her parents and siblings Arthur, Eleanor, Charlie, Ethel, Harold and Harry at 64 Cheap Street in Newbury. Her father George was a carrier while Isabel had no occupation. Ten years later in the 1891 census Isabel was still living at 64 Cheap Street with her parents and siblings Edith, Arthur, Charlie, Harold and Harry, her father George was now a leather seller while Isabel had no occupation

Isabel’s father George died on 10 May 1899 and he was buried on 13 May at Newtown Road Cemetery.  In the 1901 census Isabel was still living at 64 Cheap Street with her mother and sisters Ada and. Edith, Edith had no occupation recorded but Isabel, her mother and sister Ada were all shop keepers selling fancy articles. Just two years later Isabel’s mother Harriet Mary died in September 1903 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 9 September.

In the 1911 census Isabel was recorded living at 2 Hampstead Terrace with her sisters Ada Gordon and Edith and also a domestic servant. All three sisters were recorded as being of private means.

Ten years later in the 1921 census Isabel and her sister Edith were still living at 2 Hampstead Terrace, their sister Ada having died just months before the census and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 28 January 1921.  Both Isabel and Edith were recorded as being of independent means.

Isabel’s sister Edith died in February 1926 aged 66 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 3 March.

In September 1939 when the national register was compiled Isabel was living at 5 Pound Street in Newbury with George and Mary Parker. Isabel was recorded as incapacitated.

Isabel died in June 1942 aged 70 still living at 5 Pound Street and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 27 June. There is an inscription for Isabel and her sisters Edith and Ada on their shared grave.

Isabel’s parents George Peover and Harriet Mary Percy were buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 13 May 1899 and 9 September 1903 respectively.

In addition, five of her sisters were also buried at Newtown Road Cemetery,

Florence on 24 July 1865 aged 7,

Eva on 15 April 1874 aged 19,

Edith Frances Mary on 1 October 1890 aged 17,

Ada Eliza Gordon on 28 January 1921 and

Edith Annie on 3 March 1926.

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