Thomas Prior

c1803-1860

Thomas, his parents and siblings:

Thomas was baptised on the 20^thMarch 1803, at St Michael and All Angels, Enborne, Berkshire, the son of Isaac and Ann Prior (nee Holley) who were married on the 18^thNovember 1788, in Greenham, Berkshire.

Thomas’ father Isaac was baptised on the 29^thAugust 1765, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Richard and Phillis Prior (nee Clayton) who were married on the 6^thNovember 1761, at St Nicolas Church Newbury. Isaac died aged 64, in 1829, he was buried on the 4^thSeptember, at St Nicolas, Newbury.

His mother Ann was baptised in 1766, in Greenham, Berkshire, the daughter of William and Mary Holley. Ann died aged 80, in 1841, she was buried on the 18^thJune, at St Nicolas Newbury

Thomas’ siblings were:

John, baptised in 1789, in Greenham

Harriet, baptised 15^thApril 1798, in Enborne

James, baptised in 1801, in Enborne

Mary Ann, baptised 14^thJuly 1804, in Enborne

Daniel, baptised in May 1808, in Enborne

Thomas in later life:

Thomas married in 1841

Marriage details:

Place: St Niclas Church, Newbury

Date: 19^th August 1841

Groom: Thomas Prior, full age, bachelor, occupation, Bargeman, abode, Newbury

Bride: Harriet Clements, full age, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: Isaac Prior, a Labourer and John Clements, a Miller

Witnesses: Joseph Sawyer and George Stillman

(Harriet was baptised on the 1^stDecember 1816, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of John and Lucy Clements (nee Gudger) who were married on the 4^thAugust 1816, at St Nicolas, Newbury. Harriet had the following illegitimate children:

Charles John Clements, born 17^th May 1834, baptised on the 15^thJune 1834, at St Nicolas, Newbury. Father recorded as Charles Jacobs, a Servant, living in West Mills, Newbury. Mother living in Newbury.

William Henry Clements, born 3^rd January 1837, baptised 5^thFebruary 1837, at St Nicolas, Newbury. Father recorded as Joseph Henwood, a Carpenter, living in Greenham. Mother living in West Mills, Newbury.

Richard Clements, baptised 22^ndSeptember 1839, at St Nicolas, Newbury. No father recorded. Mother living in Newbury).

Thomas and Harriet had the following children:

Eliza, born c1842, in Newbury (no baptism found)

Charlotte, baptised 26^thNovember 1843, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Isaac, baptised 12^thMay 1846, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Mary Ann, baptised 27^th February 1848, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Hannah Maria baptised 23^rdFebruary 1851, at St Nicolas, Newbury (drowned aged 5, buried in the NRC on the 7^thJune 1856).

Alice, baptised 30^thMarch 1856, at St Nicolas, Newbury.

The 1851 census records Thomas (46), (no occupation recorded) Harriet (36) a Laundress, William Clements (14), an Errand Boy, Richard Clements (12), Eliza Prior (9), Charlotte Prior (7), Mary Ann Prior (3),Hannah Prior (6 months) and a lodger, Henry Milson (2), living in the Rose and Thistle Yard, Northcroft Lane, Newbury.

Thomas Prior died aged 57, in 1860, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 1^stJune.

Harriet after Thomas’ death:

The 1861 census records Harriet (43), a Laundress, Richard Prior (21) (Richard Clements), a Grocer’s Porter, Mary Ann Prior (13) and Alice Prior (7), living in the Rose and Thistle Yard, Northcroft Lane, Newbury.

Harriet remarried in 1866. Her 2^nd husband was James Taylor.

The 1871 census records James Taylor (44), a Tinman, Harriet Taylor (53) and Charlotte Taylor (25) (Charlotte Prior), living in the Rose and Thistle Yard.

In 1881 James Taylor (52), Tinman and Brazier, Harriet Taylor (64), Charlotte Prior (34) and Jane Prior (4), Harriet’s granddaughter, were recorded living in Pembrook Place, Newbury.

Harriet was widowed again in 1890. James died aged 61. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 15^thMarch.

Harriet (74), Charlotte (42) and Jane (14) were recorded living in Pembroke Road, Newbury, in 1891, Charlotte was recorded working as a Laundress.

Harriet Taylor died aged 76 in 1893, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 21^stJune.

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