I chose to research this memorial as a bit of a challenge. It is often difficult to find sufficient details to tell the story of the men buried in Radnor Street Cemetery, but for the women it is even more so. So many times the census returns make no mention of the married women’s occupation as they worked part-time, seasonal jobs. With numerous children, no modern household appliances and often a family firm to support as well, these women obviously just sat around all day doing the odd bit of embroidery!
Ellen Hill was born in Cirencester in about 1859, the daughter of John Hill, a coach builder’s labourer, and his wife Eliza. She married Jesse Thomas Singer in Melksham in 1880 and at the time of the census the following year Jesse and Ellen are lodging at 32 Oriel Street, Swindon with Horace Wall, his wife and their 7 month old baby.
Jesse worked first as a fireman and then an engine driver and the family moved around a fair bit. Their first child named Jesse after his father, was born in Swindon, the next three children were born in Trowbridge. Ellen gave birth to Arthur in Swindon in 1890 and seven months later at the time of the 1891 census they were living in Newton Abbot. Ellen had two more children during their time in Newton Abbot. Her youngest son Leonard was born in 1898 back in Swindon and in 1901 they lived at 72 Curtis Street.
Ellen died in 1915, aged 55 at her home 31 Curtis Street. She was buried on January 7 in grave plot D1615. And a year later Jesse married Elizabeth Harvey. Jesse Thomas Singer died in May 1926 at 58 Newhall Street aged 69 years. He was buried with Ellen on May 29, 1926. His second wife Elizabeth died at 116 Tydeman Street on November 28, 1936 aged 79 and was buried with Jesse and Ellen.
I have been extremely fortunate in being allowed access to family photos, one of Ellen as a young woman, one of her and Jesse and their youngest son Leonard and another of Jesse. Unfortunately none of Elizabeth but would you believe it, of course I find that Jesse goes one better and I have here a portrait of him painted as a young man.
Radnor Street Cemetery 