Louisa Geater

1857-1895

Louisa, her parents, siblings and early life:

Louisa was born in Newbury, Berkshire, she was baptised on the 25^th October 1857, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the daughter of Henry Thomas and Louisa Wider (nee Purdue) who were married on the 1^st November 1856, at St Nicolas, Newbury.

Louisa’s father Henry Thomas was born on the 17^th September 1837, the illegitimate son of Harriet Wilder. He was baptised on the 22^nd October, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury.

Her mother Louisa was baptised on the 18^th June 1826, at St Nicolas, Newbury, the daughter of William (a Hairdresser) and Ann Purdue (nee Groves) who were married on the 9^th May 1824, at St Nicolas, Newbury.

Henry Thomas and Louisa also had the following children baptised at St Nicolas, Newbury:

Harry Grove, 30^th January 1859 (born c1859)

Emma, 18^th November 1860 (born 1860)

William, 11^th January 1862 (birth registered as Bill, in Dec. Q 1861)

Amy, 4^th July 1864 (born c1863, died aged 2)

Bessie, 4^th December 1872 (born c1867)

The 1861 census records Louisa (3), living in Jack of Newbury Street, Newbury, with her father Henry (24), a Bricklayer, her mother Louisa (30), a Dressmaker, her brother Harry (2), her sister Emma (6 months) and her grandmother, Ann Purdue (63), formerly a Nurse.

In 1871 Louisa (13), her father Henry (34), a Bricklayer, her mother Louisa (40) and her siblings, Harry (12), Emma (10), Bill (9) and Bessy (4), were living at 4 Caroline Place, Newbury.

The 1881 census records Louisa (23) working as a General Servant. She was recorded living in Northcroft Lane, Newbury, with her parents Henry (44), who was working as a Builder’s Foreman, her mother Louisa (50), her brothers Harry (22), a Carpenter, William (19), a Bricklayer, her sister Bessie (13) and a cousin, Ann Willis (12).

Louisa in later life:

Louisa married in 1885

Marriage details: Place: St Nicolas Church, Newbury

Date: 19^th December 1885

Groom: David Geater, aged 25, bachelor, occupation, Whitesmith, abode, Newbury

Bride: Louisa Wilder, aged 28, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: George Geater, a Labourer and Henry Wilder, a Builder’s Foreman

Witnesses: Henry Wilder and Bessie Wilder

(David Geater was born c1860 in Newbury, the son of George and Elizabeth Geater (nee Jones) who were married in 1856, in Whitchurch, Hampshire)

The 1891 census records David (31), a Whitesmith and Louisa (33), living at 2 Waterloo Place, Newbury.

Louisa died aged 37, on the 4^th September 1895 (cause of death, cancer). She was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th September.

David after Louisa’s death:

David remarried in 1896

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas, Newbury

Date: 14^th November 1896

Groom: David Geater, aged 36, widower, occupation, Whitesmith, abode, West Street, Newbury

Bride: Emily Ayres, aged 24, spinster, abode, Bartholomew Street, Newbury

Fathers: George Geater, deceased and William Ayres, a Gardener

Witnesses: William Ayres and Elizabeth Brooks

(Emily was born and baptised (as Rhoda Emily) on the 27^th August 1876, in Wooton Hill, Hampshire, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Ayers (nee Kewell) who were married on the 25^th September 1858, in East Woodhay, Hampshire. David was Emily’s step-brother. His widowed mother Elizabeth Geater (nee Jones) married Emily’s widowed father William Ayres, in 1890, in Newbury).

David and Emily had a son, David, born in 1897, in Newbury.

David was widowed again soon after his son was born. Emily died aged 24 on the 5^th August 1897, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery with David’s 1^st wife Louisa, on the 9^th August.

David married for the 3^rd time in 1898

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas, Newbury

Date: 3^rd December 1898

Groom: David Geater, full age, widower, occupation, Whitesmith, abode, Windsor Place, West Street, Newbury

Bride: Mary Ann Ayres, full age, widow, abode, Winscombe, Somerset

Fathers: George Geater, a Labourer and Wiliam Vincent, a Farmer

Witnesses: Eli Geater and Jane Geater

(Mary Ann Vincent was born in 1874, she was baptised on the 3^rd May 1874, in Loxton Somerset, the daughter of William and Sarah Vincent (nee Bull) who were married in 1873, in Somerset. Mary married Alfred John Ayers on the 18^th October 1893, in Horrington, Somerset. She was widowed in 1896. Mary Anne was the widow of Alfred John Ayers, the brother of David’s 2^nd wife Rhoda Emily (aka Emily) Ayres).

Mary Anne gave birth to a son Edgar James, in 1901. She also had a stillborn child in 1904, who was buried in the NRC on the 1^st February.

The 1901 census records David (41) as a Plumber and Locksmith, living and working in Sussex. He was recorded living at 143 Marina, St Leonard, Hastings, Sussex. Mary A. Geater (27) was living in Barton, Winscombe, Somerset, with her widowed mother Sarah Vincent (50), a Washerwoman and her stepson David Geater (3)

In 1911 David (51) was recorded working as a Secretary for the Manchester Unity Oddfellows and Political Club. He was living at 1 Windsor Place, West Street, Newbury, with Mary (37) and two visitors.

The 1921 census records David (61), Mary Anne (47) and their son Edgar James (19), living at 3 Park View, Boundary Road, Newbury. David was recorded working as a Secretary for the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, Friendly Society. Edgar was recorded as a Mathematical Student.

By 1932 David and Mary Ann were living at 19 Chard Road, St Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon. David died on the 25^th May 1932, in Plymouth.

David died aged 72, on the 25^th May 1932, in Plymouth Devon

Mary Ann died aged 84, on the 24^th November 1958, in Hereford

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