Catharine Willis 1764 —1852

Catharine Baker was born circa 1764 in Newbury, her father was John. She married Mark Willis on 4 April 1784 at St Nicolas in Newbury by licence, Catharine was recorded as a minor. Mark died in December 1823 aged 64 and he was buried on 23 December 1823 at St Nicolas in Newbury.

Catharine was recorded with her son Mark in Pound Street (the Litten) in Newbury in the 1841 census, Mark was a schoolmaster. Also recorded in the house were Eliza Catherine Willis aged 20, George Sextus Willis aged 14 and Edwin Willis aged 12 and a visitor.

In the 1851 census Ann was recorded with her son Mark in Cheap Street in Newbury, she was recorded as proprietor of the house and Mark as a retired schoolmaster accountant and assessor of taxes. There was also a house servant in the house.

 
Catharine died on 26 August 1852 aged 87 and she was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 1 September 1852.

An announcement appeared in the Berkshire Chronicle dated 4 September 1852 as below. 

WILLIS — on 26th ult., at her son's residence, in Newbury, Catharine, relict of the late M. Willis Esq., in her 88th year, being the last of six of a family whose united ages amount to 540y ears. 
There was also an article in the same edition of the paper as below. 

LONGEVITY — In our obituary this week will be found the demise of Catharine Willis, the mother of Mr. Willis, of this town, aged 88 years. She was the last of a family of six, whose united ages amount to 540 years. Catharine Willis died in her 88th, her mother in her 95th, her father in his 83nd, her sister in her 90th, and another sister in her 88th year. Catharine's grandson George Sextus Willis was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 14 October 1853 aged 26. 

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