John Geater

c1812-1888

John was a Bricklayer. He was born in Newbury, Berkshire, the son of Lawrence and Mary Geater (nee Blackman) who were married on the 29^th July 1811, in East Woodhay, Hampshire. (Both were from Newbury)

John’s 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.

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

John’s siblings were:

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

Twins: George and Thomas Gater, baptised 28^th August 1820 (Thomas died aged 2 years 2 months, he was buried on the 15^th November 1822, at St Nicolas, Newbury)

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

David, born c1826

Joseph, born c1830

In 1815 Lawrence Geatter (27), Mary (29), John (3) and their daughter Elizabeth (1), were living on the west side of Newtown Lane, Newbury.

John married in 1837

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas Newbury

Date: 7^th November 1837

Groom: John Geater, full age, bachelor, occupation, Bricklayer, abode, Newbury

Bride: Martha Hazell, full age, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: Laurence Geater, a Hay Cutter and William Hazell, a Cordwainer

Witnesses: William Hazell and Elizabeth Geater

(Martha was born on the 23^rd October 1815, in Newbury, Berkshire. She was baptised on the 15^th November 1815, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Hazell. William Hazell married Elizabeth Baker on the 1^st November 1812, at St Nicolas, Newbury. (Both were widowed)

John and Martha had the following children baptised at St Nicolas:

Jane, baptised 3^rd January 1841 (born 8^th Nov. 1840)

Ellen, baptised 28^th April 1844 (born 3^rd April)

John Thomas, baptised 31^st May 1846 (born 19^th April)

Emma, baptised 29^th October 1848 (born 21^st Sept.)

The 1841-1881 census records record the family living in Old Newtown Road, Newbury as follows:

1841: John Geater (25), Martha (25) and their daughter Jane (5 months)

1851: John Gaiter (39), Martha (36), Jane (10), John Thomas (5), Emma (2) and Ellen (6)

1861: John Gater (49), Martha (45), John Thomas (15) and Emma (12)

1871: John Geater (55), Martha (50), Jane (30) and John (24)

1881: John Geater (69), Martha (65), Jane (40) and a granddaughter, Margaret Moloney (8) (their daughter Ellen’s child)

John died aged 76, on the 18^th April 1888, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 21^st April.

John’s daughter Jane died aged 52, on the 24^th November 1893, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 27^th November.

Martha died aged 84, on the 25^th February 1900. She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 28^th February, with John’s brother George Geater, who was buried on the 5^th July 1890.

(John’s nephew, (George’s son) Edwin Charles died on the 1^st January 1902. He was buried with his father George and his aunt Martha, on the 4^th January 1902)

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 26^th April 1888

GEATER – April 18, at 11 Raymond’s Almshouses, Newbury, John Geater, aged 76 years.

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