Matilda Collins (1867 — 1905)

Matilda Collins was born on 12 November 1867 in Whitchurch in Hampshire, the daughter of Emanuel and Elizabeth, nee Bulpit, Collins.

In the 1871 census Matilda was recorded with her parents Emanuel and Elizabeth along with five siblings, Elizabeth (aged 10), Lavinia (aged 9), Joseph (aged 6), Charles (aged 2) and Ernest (aged 6 months) living in Quenington in Gloucestershire, Emanuel was a millwright.

Matilda enrolled at the National School in Newbury on 10 March 1879, her address was recorded as the Rose and Thistle Yard. She left the school on 9 February 1881, the reason given for her leaving was that she was wanted at home.

Matilda and her family were recorded in the 1881 census living in Pembroke Road in Newbury, it appears that her father Emanuel was now using the name Edward, as he was recorded as such in the census. Matilda was one of seven children recorded in the household. Her father Edward or Emanuel was a millwright, her brother Joseph an apprentice millwright while Matilda was recorded as a scholar.

In the 1891 census Matilda was recorded as a visitor in the house of her sister Elizabeth Bulpit along with her husband Edmund and their daughter Mabel as well as her mother and five of her siblings in Enborne Road in Newbury. Matilda did not have any occupation recorded.

Ten year later in the 1901 census Matilda was recorded as a servant living at The Croft in Speen, and her occupation was general servant domestic.

Matilda died on 6 February 1905 aged 38 residing at 5 Craven Terrace. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 9 February. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 9 February as below.

COLLINS — Feb. 6, at 5, Craven Terrace, Westfields, Newbury, Matilda Collins, after a long painful illness, aged 38.

There was also an announcement in the Hampshire Chronicle of 11 February 1905 as below.

COLLINS — On the 6th Feb., at 5 Craven Terrace, Westfields, Newbury, Matilda Collins, aged 38.

Matilda's parents were both buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, her father Emanuel (Edward) on 26 February 1887 and her mother Elizabeth on 21 November 1903. In addition, two of her brothers were also buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, Edward Emanuel on 8 June 1866 and Joseph Henry on 24 December 1889.

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