MARTHA ELIZABETH GRAY

THE FUNERAL too place yesterday (Wednesday) of Miss Martha Elizabeth Gray, of Hatcham Lodge, New Cross, sole surviving daughter of John and Martha Gray, to whose memory the deceased lady, in 1884, inserted the westernmost stained glass window of the north aisle in the Parish Church. The body was brought to Newbury by train, and was taken to St. Nicholas Church, where the first part of the Burial Service was conducted by the Rev. Howard J. L. Truscott, vicar of St. Catherine’s,  Hatcham, assisted by the Rev. Walter Godwin. There was a large number of mourners, and among those present in church were Mrs. And Miss Godwin, Dr. Jenner Clarke, and others. The interment took place in the family grave in the Cemetery.

Newbury Weekly News 24 March 1910

THE LATE MISS MARTHA ELIZABETH GRAY, who was buried in Newbury Cemetery last week, was the sole surviving member of an old family connected with Newbury, also closely identified with East Garston, East Ilsley and Compton. The deceased lady, who had reached the great age of 94, was daughter of Mr. John Gray, a cousin of the Grays, several of whom were Mayors of Newbury. He was born in West Mills, and leaving Newbury as a young man, died in London in 1848. Her mother was Miss Martha Palmer, of East Garston, and dying at the age of 94, in 1884, was buried at Newbury. Her brother, Mr. James Gray, was for half-a-century connected with the London and County Bank, being chief accountant for many years. He died in 1887, and was buried in the family vault in the Cemetery, where his sister was laid last week. Mr. James Gray was a great admirer of stained glass, and memorial windows in the churches at East Garston, Compton and East Ilsley, also the windows over the north and south porches at Newbury, are evidences of his generous benefactions. The westernmost window in the north aisle of Newbury Church, was given by Miss Gray, in 1881, in memory of her parents, and at her express wish the first light depicted the miracle of the healing of the blind, as her mother was afflicted with blindness, and she herself also suffered from bad eyesight.

Newbury Weekly News 31 March 1910

She was buried in the family vault on 23 March 1910 aged 94 from Hatcham Lodge, New Cross, London S.E.

The gravestone inscription includes her parents John Gray (1782-1848) -  memorial , and Martha Gray (1790-1884); and her siblings Ellen Rachel Gray (1817-1864); John Palmer Gray (1820-1871) and James Gray (1821-1897).

Mrs. P. Code W143 page 23