Maurice Uzzell, Louisa and little Lily

Maurice Uzzell, who was buried in grave plot D64A, has been relatively easy to research. He has a pretty unusual surname and his branch of the family kept in close contact, which all helps the researcher.

Born in 1868 in Christian Malford, Wiltshire, Maurice was the fourth child of Henry and Hannah Uzzell. In 1871 aged 2 years old he is living in the village with his parents and two elder brothers. By 1881 the family was complete – a daughter and two more sons – and they all lived at 35 Leigh Cottages, Christian Malford. The two elder sons Charles 17 and Stephen 15 were working as agricultural labourers, Maurice 13, was still at school.

Drawn to the bright lights of Swindon, by 1891 Charles 27, Maurice 22 and Fred 19 were boarding with Jesse & Mary Scott (formerly Uzzell and their elder sister) at 67 Jennings Street, Rodbourne. Charles and Maurice worked as labourers and Fred as a blacksmith’s labourer, so probably fair to assume they were all employed in the GWR Works.

In 1896 Maurice married Louisa Worts – so let’s have a look at Louisa. Born in 1855 in Leyton, Essex by 1891 Louisa was living with her widowed mother and her sister and brother-in-law in Colebrook Road, Walthamstow where she worked as a laundrymaid.

In the 1901 census Maurice is living at 61 Clifton Street where he works as a Wood Turner in the GWR Works. Living with him are Louisa, his brother Fred and – hello – a niece – Lily Uzzell aged 10 born in Walthamstow.

An Uzzell family search found all his brothers (and Ellen) and it seemed none of them had ever lived in Walthamstow. Only Louisa (nee Worts) had lived in Walthamstow. Was young Lily her daughter, born before her marriage to Maurice?

In 1911 Maurice and Louisa lived alone at 61 Clifton Street. Louisa declared they had been married for 14 years and had no children.

But what happened to little Lily? Did she die in childhood? If so she is not buried with Louisa and Maurice. Did she marry? I can’t find a name or place that matches.

Louisa died in 1931 and is buried in the area close to the cemetery chapel with this discreet pink memorial. Maurice died in 1941. Probate of his estate was awarded to William Scott, railway clerk, most probably the son of Jesse and Mary Scott who Maurice lodged with in Jennings Street as a young man. Maurice is buried here with Louisa.

Fred Uzzell, Maurice’s younger brother who lived with him in 1901 and then moved to Kingshill Road, was buried close to him in the cemetery in grave plot D234.

This branch of the Uzzell family has been relatively straightforward to trace. But what happened to little Lily? I’d love to know.