George Phillips (1792 – 1869)

George Phillips was born circa 1792 in London. He married a Hannah who was born circa 1790 in Hungerford. Unfortunately, at present the marriage has not been identified.

In the 1841 census George and Hannah were recorded living at Hoe Benham, near Welford along with sons John aged 10 and Daniel aged 6. George was an agricultural labourer.

Ten years later in the 1851 census George and Hannah were recorded living at a farm in Hoe Benham along with son Daniel aged 14, who was born in Welford. George and Daniel were both agricultural labourers. George and Hannah were still living in Hoe Benham in 1861. George was a farm bailiff.

Hannah died in July 1864 aged 74 while living in Hoe Benham and she was buried on 1 August 1864 at St Gregory in Welford.

George died just over 4 years later on 24 January 1869 at Speenhamland and he was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 29 January. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 11 February 1869 as below.

Jan. 24, at Speenhamland, aged 77, George Phillips, for 40 years a faithful servant in the family of Mr. Dreweatt, Half way house.

In the 1851 census a Thomas Dreweatt aged 57 was residing at Half Way, Welford with his wife Ann and four children. Thomas was born in Welford and a farmer of 480 acres, so George was almost certainly working for Thomas and his family.

Sources: