Frank Pratt Davis

1843-1879

Frank, his parents, siblings and early life:

Frank Pratt was born in 1843, in Newbury, Berkshire. He was baptised on the 15^th March 1844, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, the son of Francis and Sarah Davis (nee Pratt) who were married on the 11^th April 1840, at St John, Hackney, Middlesex.

Frank’s father Francis was born on the 14^th July 1809, he was baptised on the 5^th September 1809, at St Nicolas Church, Newbury, Berkshire, the son of William and Susan Street Davis (nee Elliston) who were married on the 19^th April 1793, at Weston Colville, Cambridgeshire. (William was from Newbury). Francis died aged 59, on the 1^st August 1868, at Clay Hill, Thatcham, Berkshire. He was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 8^th August.

His mother Sarah was baptised on the 13^th July 1815 in Clare, Suffolk, the daughter of Benjamin (a Schoolmaster) and Mary Pratt, (nee Oliver) who were married on the 8^th June 1796, in Clare, Suffolk. Sarah died aged 65, on the 14^th June 1880, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 18^th June.

Francis and Sarah also had the following children baptised at St Nicolas:

Mary, born 1841, baptised 26^th November 1841 (died aged 20, buried in the NRC on the 2^nd December 1861)

William Thomas, born 1845, baptised 6^th January 1846

Agnes Susan, born 1848, baptised 29^th October 1848 (died aged 1 in 1849)

Henry John, born c1853, baptised 17^th May 1853

The 1851 census records Francis (40), a Chemist and Druggist employing two apprentices and an errand boy, Sarah (34) and their children, Mary (9), Frank (7) and Thomas (5), living at 37, Northbrook Street, Newbury.

In 1861 Francis (51), a Pharmaceutical Chemist, Sarah (43), their daughter, Mary (19), their sons, Frank (17) and Henry (8), their niece, Mary Briscoe (18), an Assistant, an apprentice and two servants, were recorded living at 37, Northbrook Street, Newbury.

Frank in later life:

Like his father before him, Frank was a Chemist & Druggist. The following notice appeared in the Newbury Weekly News on the 23^rd and 30^th May and the 6^th June 1867:

FRANCIS DAVIS

CHEMIST & DRUGGIST

Begs to tender his sincere thanks to his friends and patrons for the long continued confidence placed in his establishment; and to state that he has taken his son Mr. Frank P. Davis into partnership, and that the Business will henceforward be conducted under the firm of Davis & Son.

Frank married in 1870.

Marriage details:

Place: St Nicolas Church, Newbury

Date: 8^th June 1870

Groom: Frank Pratt Davis, full age, bachelor, occupation, Chemist, abode, Newbury

Bride: Mary Elizabeth Parker, full age, spinster, abode, Newbury

Fathers: Francis Davis, a Chemist and John Parker, a Grocer

Witnesses: Jas Richard, Sarah Davis and Caroline Parker

(Mary Elizabeth was born in 1847, in Newbury, she was baptised on the 27^th June 1847, at St Nicolas, Newbury, the daughter of John (a Grocer & Liquor Merchant) and Caroline Parker (nee Richens) who were married in 1846 (Marriage registered in Newbury)

Frank and Mary had the following children baptised at St Nicolas:

Frank Parker, 1^st September 1871 (died aged 7, buried in the NRC  4^th January 1879)

Ernest John, 30^th October 1872

Harry Hilliard, 18^th March 1874 (died aged 23, buried in the NRC on the 17^th February 1898)

Mary Evelyn, 17^th October 1875 (died aged 9 months, buried in the NRC on the 14^th June 1896)

Frederick Percy, 21^st March 1877

Eva Beatrice, 30^th October 1878

The 1871 census records Frank (27), a Master Chemist and Druggist, of the firm Davis and Son and Mary (23), living at 36 Northbrook Street, Newbury. (Next door to his widowed mother Sarah Davis (55), at number 37).

Frank died aged 35, on the 31^st March 1879, in Speen, Berkshire, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 4^th April.

Probate: DAVIS Frank Pratt   Personal Estate under £600    20^th January 1880      The Will with a Codicil of Frank Pratt Davis late of Newbury in the County of Berkshire Chemist and Druggist who died 31^st March 1879 in Speen in the said County was proved at the Principal Registry by Mary Elizabeth Davis Widow the Relict and Henry John Davis Chemist the Brother both of Newbury the Executors

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 3^rd April 1879

DAVIS – March 31, at Rose Cottages, Speen, Frank Pratt Davis, eldest son of the late Francis Davis, of Northbrook Street, Newbury, aged 35 years.

Mrs P’s    Page 192    Code C 103

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