John James Purchell

1863-1918

John James Swain was born in 1863, in Newbury, Berkshire. He was baptised on the 5^th April 1864, at St Mary, Speenhamland, the illegitimate son of Sarah Ann Swain, a Housekeeper.

His mother Sarah Ann Swaine was baptised on the 29^th November 1822, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, Berkshire, the daughter of William (a Miller) and Hannah Swain (nee Love) who were married on the 6^th June 1818, at St Michael, Tilehurst, Berkshire (witnesses: Daniel Thomas and Ann Hunt).                                                                                                                                         The 1851 census records Sarah Swaine (28) as an Under Housemaid, at a School in Wellington Place, Reading, Berkshire.                                                                                                                          In 1861 Sarah Swaine (38) was recorded working as a House Servant, in London Road, Speenhamland, Berkshire, for William Nalder (43), a Banker’s Clerk and his family.

Sarah Ann Swain married James Purchell in 1869 (marriage registered in the March quarter in Reading)

After Sarah Ann married James in 1869, John James was known as John James Purchell. (James Pruchell was probably the biological father of John James but this would need confirming by DNA)

James Purchell died aged 66, in 1869. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 14^th December.

The 1871 census records Sarah (48), a Charwoman and John (7), living in Speenhamland. (Surname recorded as Fenchell on ancestry)

In 1881 John (17), was working as a Painter, living in Speenhamland, Berkshire with his mother Sarah (58), a Charwoman.

The 1891 census records John (27), a Coach Painter and Sarah (68), living at 2, Gilder’s Square, Speenhamland.

John’s mother was allocated an Almshouse in 1892, where she lived until her death in 1915, at the age of 94. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 11^th September.

John James “married” Mary Jane Bishop c1891. (No marriage found)

(Mary Jane Bishop was born in 1872, in Shefford, Berkshire, the daughter of Arthur and Eliza Bishop (nee Collins) who were married in 1861, marriage registered in Hungerford)

John and Mary had the following children:

Arthur James, 1892, in Boxford, Berkshire

Edith Annie, 1893, in Newbury, Berkshire

William John, 1895, in Newbury, Berkshire

Winifred Daisy Ethel c1897, in Headley, Hampshire

Agnes Maud Victoria, c1901, in Headley, Berkshire

Albert Edward, c1904, in Newbury, Berkshire

Alice May, 1906, in Newbury, Berkshire

By 1901 John (37) was working as a House Painter, he was living in Headley, Hampshire, with Mary (32) and their children, Arthur (8), Edith (7), William (6), Winifred (4) and Agnes (2 months)

The 1911 census records John (47) as a House Painter, living at 23, Rupert Place, Cheap Street, Newbury, with Mary (41), Arthur James (18), a Fish Salesman, Williiam John (15), a Draper’s Assistant, Winifred Daisy (14), Agnes Maud (10), Albert Edward (7) and Alice May (5).

John James died aged 55, in 1918, in the Newbury Infirmary. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 20^th September

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