If ever a family provides a snapshot of life in Swindon at the turn of the 20th century, it is the Messiter family. A story of Swindon’s growth and the development of the railway works encouraging migration from across the country; a story of non-conformity and close family ties. Even Benjamin’s death took place during that iconic event in the Swindon calendar – the GWR Trip.
Image published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
Benjamin was born in Trowbridge in 1845 and began his working career as a wool worker, arriving in Swindon in the 1860s for a more lucrative job in the railway works. He married Ann Ferguson in 1869 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel ‘near the market place, Swindon’ (the Planks).
The young couple began married life at the newly built Cambria Place living with Ann’s parents and six siblings at No. 34. Her father Charles was a fitter who had moved down from Scotland in the 1860s to a job in the railway factory. Ann and her brothers and two of her sisters were all born in Scotland.
Benjamin and Ann’s only daughter Louisa Ann, was born in 1872 and at the time of the 1881 census they were all still living with Ann’s parents in Cambria Place.
By 1901 Benjamin and Ann had moved to 11 Deacon Street where they lived with their married daughter Louisa, her husband Frank and their 5 year old son, Stanley.
An old and highly respected resident of Swindon, in the person of Mr Benjamin Messiter passed away with painful suddenness at Bristol early in the evening of last Saturday. Mr. Messiter had been spending his “Trip” holidays with his sister at 31, Hayward Road, Barton Hill, Bristol, and, not desirous of coming back to Swindon with the “Trip” train on Friday, he had arranged to return on Saturday evening.
After having completed all the preparations for his return, Mr Messiter was partaking of tea at half past five o’clock, when he collapsed and passed away immediately.
With all speed, medical aid was summoned, and in less than five minutes from the sad occurrence a doctor was in attendance, but could only pronounce life extinct.
News of the occurrence was immediately despatched to Mr. Messiter’s relatives at Swindon, his son-in-law, Mr. Matthews, at once leaving for Bristol
A Coroner’s inquiry touching the death was held on Monday, when a verdict of “Death from syncope” was returned.
Mr Messiter, who had been ailing for the past two years, was a native of Trowbridge and was 64 years of age. Coming to Swindon from his native town some 32 years ago, the deceased gentleman had since that time followed his occupation in the GWR Saw Mills.
During his many years’ residence in Swindon, he had gained the warmest esteem and respect of a very large circle of friends amongst the older generation of Swindonians, among whom the news of his death will occasion the keenest regret. He had a large number of relatives in Swindon, who have been the recipients of many tokens of sympathy in their sad bereavement.
Extracts from The Swindon Advertiser, Friday, July 16, 1909.
Swindon’s story – photograph taken from Radnor Street Cemetery
Benjamin Messiter was buried on July 15, 1909 in grave plot E7956 which he shares with his wife Ann who died in 1902 and his son-in-law Frank Matthews who died in 1935 and daughter Louisa Matthews who died in 1958.
Radnor Street Cemetery 