Sarah Ann Purchell

c1822-1915

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.

William and Hannah also had a daughter Frances Swain, baptised on the 19^th March 1819, at St Nicolas, Newbury.

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 (a Housekeeper) had an illegitimate son, John James, born 1863. He was baptised at St Mary, Speenhamland, on the 5^th April 1864.

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

After Sarah Ann married James in 1869, her son 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)

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

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

In 1881 Sarah (58) was again recorded as a Charwoman, living in Speenhamland, Berkshire, with her son John (17), a Painter.

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

In 1892 Sarah was allocated an Almshouse.

The 1901 and 1911 census records both record Sarah living alone, at 8, Bartholmew’s Almshouses, Argyle Road, Newbury, Berkshire (surname recorded as Puchell in 1901)

Sarah died aged 94, in the Workhouse Infirmary, in 1915. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 11^th September.

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