George Geater

c1820-1890

George and his twin brother Thomas Geater (spelt Gater) were baptised on the 28^th August 1820, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the sons of Lawrence and Mary Geater (nee Blackman) who were married on the 29^th July 1811, in East Woodhay, Hampshire. (Both were from Newbury).

Their father Lawrence was baptised on the 14^th September 1788, in Kintbury, Berkshire, the son of John and Mary Geater (nee Langfield) who were married on the 10^th October 1787, in Kintbury.

Their mother Mary was baptised on the 23^rd January 1785, at St Nicolas, Newbury, the daughter of Thomas and Christian (spelt Xtian) Blackman

Thomas and George’s siblings were:

John, born c1812

Elizabeth Gater baptised 18^th May 1814, at St Nicolas, Newbury

William Geater, baptised 14^th April 1816, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Ann Gater, baptised 19^th April 1818, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Charles Gaiter, born 18^th May 1822, baptised 20^th April 1823 (Wesleyan Methodist)

David, born c1826

Joseph, born c1830

George’s twin brother Thomas died aged 2years 2 months, he was buried on the 15^th November 1822, at St Nicolas, Newbury

George married in 1856

Marriage details:

Place: Overton, Hampshire

Date: 26^th January 1856

Groom: George Geater, aged 35, bachelor, occupation, Hawker, abode, Overton

Bride: Elizabeth Jones, aged 27, spinster, abode, Overton

Fathers, David Jones, a Farmer and Lawrence Geater, a Bricklayer

Witnesses: William Waldren and Lucy Nash

(Elizabeth was baptised on the 18^th September 1836, in Ellisfield, Hampshire, the daughter of David and Ann(e) Jones (nee Duck) who were married on the 18^th January 1834, in Ellisfield (David was a widower)

Elizabeth and George had the following children:

George William, born 1856, in Overton, Hampshire

David, c1860, baptised 1^st April 1860, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Edwin Charles, born 1865, baptised 16^th July 1865, at St Nicolas, Newbury

Lizzie Alice, 1866, baptised 10^th February 1867, (as Elizabeth Alice) at St Nicolas, Newbury

Eli James, c1869, baptised 4^th April 1869, at St Nicolas, Newbury

In his early life George worked as an Agricultural Labourer. By 1856 he was working as a Hawker, by 1861 he was blind.

The 1861 census records George (40), living in Union Chapel Yard, Newbury, with Elizabeth (24), a Laundress, George William (4), David (1) and George’s married brother Charles (38), a General Labourer.

In 1871 Elizabeth (34), was Mangling (presumably operating a laundry mangle) to support her family, George (50), David (11), Edwin Charles (6), Elizabeth Alice (4) and Eli James (2), who were living in Gibbs Yard, Bartholomew Street, Newbury.

The 1881 census records George (60), Elizabeth (44), a Charwoman/Cook, David (21), a Gas Fitter & Locksmith, Edwin Charles (15), a General Labourer, Elizabeth Alice (14), an unemployed Nursemaid and Eli James, an Errand Boy, living in Howard Place, Newbury.

(George’s sister-in-law Martha Geater (widow of his brother John) died on the 25^th February 1900. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 28^th February)

George died aged 69, on the 3^rd July 1890, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 5^th July with his sister-in-law, Martha.

(George’s son Edwin Charles died on the 1^st January 1902, he was laid to rest with George and Martha on the 4^th January).

Elizabeth after George’s death:

Elizabeth remarried later that year.

Marriage details:

Place St Nicolas Church, Newbury

Date: 23^rd December 1890

Groom: William Ayers, aged 54, widower, occupation, Gardener, abode, Newbury

Bride: Elizabeth Geater, aged 54, widow, abode, Newbury

Fathers: James Ayers, deceased, Labourer and David Jones, deceased, Farmer

Witnesses: J. Edgar Stillman and Sarah Stilman

The 1891 census records William Ayres (54), a Gardener, Elizabeth (54), William’s daughter Rhoda Emily Ayres (14) and his grandson, Charles Henry Ayres (1), living at 1 Howard Place, Newbury

Elizabeth died aged 63, on the 24^th March 1900, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th March.

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 10^th July 1890

GEATER – July 3, at Howard-place, Bartholomew-street, George Geater, aged 69 years 11 months.

Mrs P’s     Page 121    Code LN(J) 15

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