What was life like for the ordinary people who lived and died in Swindon at the end of the 19th century? So many were incomers, attracted to the town by the many opportunities presented by the Great Western Railway Works and the affiliated jobs that grew up around it, including the food and vibrant retail industries. Some families put down roots and stayed, others moved on. The Jeanes family did both.
Widowed Mary Jeanes appears to have arrived sometime in the 1870s with her daughter Ellen 21 and her 15 year old son (Frederick) John. The family were originally from North Petherton, Somerset and arrived in Swindon via Bridgewater.
By 1881 they were living at 46 Regent Street where Mary’s son worked as a Master Baker. Frederick married and settled down in Swindon. His sister Ellen married Frederick Barnstaple/Barnstable and left. By 1891 they were farming at Llantarnam, Monthmouthshire.
Mary Jeanes died in February 1887 aged 65 and was buried in grave plot A1038. When Ellen and Frederick’s 15 year old daughter Florence Nelly died in 1888 they chose to have her buried with her grandmother Mary in Radnor Street Cemetery.
This fulsome account of the life of William Ormond pretty much says it all. However, in 1890 William and his wife Georgina were at the centre of the much publicised case of their daughter Marion and the scandalous Rev Newton Ebenezer Howe, Vicar at Christ Church, which you may like to read here.
Death of a Swindon Solicitor
Mr W. Ormond passes away at the age of 82
A well known and highly esteemed gentleman, who practised as a solicitor in Swindon for many years, has just passed away, in the person of Mr William Ormond, at No. 1. Devizes Road, or, as it is now known, Croft Road. The deceased gentleman, who attained the advanced age of 82 years on the 1st of last August, had been in failing health for some time past. Still he was able to get out and about, and displayed almost wonderful vitality right up to the end.
About three weeks ago, however, weaknesses incident to old age became more and more pronounced and eventually Mr Ormond was compelled to take to his bed, although even then he expressed his intention of getting up and attending Church only last Sunday, when he was obviously in an unfit condition to do so. The wiser counsels of those about him prevailed, and Mr Ormond remained at home. His condition became perceptibly worse, and at times he exhibited a tendency towards delirium and was at other times oblivious to things about him, bordering on unconsciousness. On Thursday it was observed that the end was not far off, and at 6.50 this morning Mr Ormond passed peacefully away.
The deceased gentleman was born at Wantage, in Berkshire, on the 19th August, 1826, and it is a fact worth recording that, until old age compelled him to lay up, he had never, to the knowledge of his family spent one day of illness in bed.
In the month of October, 1849 he went to Abingdon, where he settled down as a solicitor, workingup a good practice, which he continued to hold until 1855.
In March of that year he removed to Swindon, entering into partnership with Mr J.C. Townsend, and taking offices in High Street. Many years after he was in practice by himself, with offices in Victoria Street.
In May, 1858, Mr Ormond married, at North Road, Cheshire, Georgina Mary Lamprey, formerly of Marchwood, Southampton, and the newly married pair, after the honeymoon, returned to Swindon. Eight children were born to them – one son and seven daughters.
The son served his country in South Africa. He became a Lieutenant of the Imperial Light Horse, and died a soldier’s death at the hands of the Boers at Naaupoort on Jan. 5th, 1901.
Of the seven daughters, four are living. The second daughter died in 1861; and the youngest daughter, Winifred, who became the wife of Mr Frank Chapman, of the firm of Messrs Spencer, Chapman, and Co., solicitors of London, died on the 21st May, 1907.
Mrs Ormond passed away two years ago.
The deceased gentleman never took any active interest in public affairs. He was somewhat of a retiring disposition, and was highly esteemed and greatly liked by all who enjoyed the privilege of his acquaintance.
He retired from active professional work about seven years ago. The deceased gentleman was one of those who performed many acts of real charity in a quiet and unostentatious manner – even in a secret. In a word, he delighted in doing good by stealth as many can testify. The last striking example of this was in his recent gift of £400 to the Parish Church for a Men’s Club, which was referred to as recently as Wednesday night by Canon Estcourt at the Parish tea.
The funeral will probably take place on Tuesday, and the family desire, in deference to the deceased gentleman’s expressed wish, that no flowers should be sent.
The Swindon Advertiser, Friday, November 27, 1908.
I can’t help but notice that Mary Dashfield doesn’t get equal billing in this story of her Golden Wedding Anniversary – so I shall redress the balance.
Mary Maria Sartin was born on February 6, 1859 and baptised at St. James with St. Stephen Church, Trowbridge on June 19. She was the youngest child of James and Martha Sartin. James worked as a Wool Dyer and Martha as a Laundress and Mary grew up in the Castle Street/Lower Courts area of Trowbridge.
She married John Dashfield in 1879 and by 1881 they had moved to 37 Cheltenham Street, Swindon with their baby son William.
By 1891 they were living at 1 Lambeth Terrace, Swindon with their six children. By 1901 they were at 21 Westcott Place, the three eldest sons already employed in the Works.
In 1911 Mary had already notched up 32 years as a wife and mother. She states that she has had 9 children of whom 8 are living.
Her life had been one of child raising and housekeeping, so maybe I don’t know that much about her after all, but hopefully this is a more rounded account than the newspaper article.
Married Fifty Years
To-day Mr and Mrs John Dashfield, of 21, Westcott Place, Swindon, celebrate their golden wedding.
Mr Dashfield is 72 years of age, and his wife is two years his junior. Both, who are in the enjoyment of good health, are natives of Trowbridge.
Mr. Dashfield came to Swindon 57 years ago, and entered the service of the GWR as a shunter. At the age of 18 he had the misfortune to lose his right leg whilst in the execution of his duty. He was afterwards given a position as storekeeper in the W Shop, which post he held until his retirement two years ago.
For 40 years Mr Dashfield was a co-worker or shopmate with the present Mayor of Swindon (Councillor G.H. Stevens).
Mr and Mrs Dashfield had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. One son is at Weymouth, another at Christchurch, a third in Nigeria, and two are in Swindon. One of the daughters is Mrs A.M. Chappell, wife of the licensee of the Borough Arms, Wootton Bassett.
Mr Dashfield is interested in the club life of Swindon, and he is a keen horticulturist.
John Charles George Dashfield died at his home, 21 Westcott Place in 1943 aged 86 years. He was buried in grave plot D769 which he shares with Joan Mary Dashfield who died in 1926 aged 6 years old (most probably a granddaughter); his wife Mary Maria who died in October 1945 aged 86 years and Rosabella Minnie Chappell their daughter who died in 1948 aged 59 years.
Paul Vitti kindly responded to my recent blogpost about his great grandfather Angelo Vitti. He has sent me a copy of the original photograph from which the grainy newspaper one was taken and some additional information about the family and 26 Albert Street. Many thanks Paul.
Angelo Vitti was my great grandfather. I can go back to 1700 in Settefrati where Loretto was born. Then Michele, Francesco, Antonio, Angelo, Alexander, Gerald and then me, Paul. Angelo’s brother Cesidio is also buried in Radnor Street. He died in 1899 in Swindon and in the same year his wife gave birth to a son, also Cesidio, Angelo’s nephew, in Italy. In 1926 Cesidio jnr. set sail for America followed, 2 years later, by his mother and his wife. They settled in Struthers, Ohio. Their house there is now a car park but two adjoining houses remain.
26 Albert Street, the former Rhinoceros. Angelo owned all the properties up to the ‘Roaring Donkey’. In this photo is Angelo and Maria plus my grandfather Alexander, his brother Laurence and several sisters. I am in contact with one of Maria’s great nieces. My grandfather sold the premises in the fifties for £4,500. The whole site has just been redeveloped with new apartments and some houses. In this photograph the fellow looking out of the window is in what became my bedroom for a while until my parents moved into two room digs in Princes Street. It was a fascinating old property with a cellar that ran under all those adjoining houses, an internal courtyard and dormitories along the rear boundary in Little London. The 1911 census shows 63 lodgers living in the various properties and dorms. I remember it all so well.
Cesidio Vitti died at his brothers home, 26 Albert Street and was buried on June 5, 1899 in grave plot C442.
William Cowan married Amelia Roberts at the parish church in Corse, Gloucestershire in 1879. It was a second marriage for both of them.
William had previously been married to Frances Weston who appears to have arrived in Swindon via Brixton after a few stops along the way (much as I have). She died in 1870 and is buried in Reading Cemetery.
Amelia had lived her entire life in the Gloucestershire parish of Ashleworth where she married John Roberts, a farmer of 40 acres, in 1827.
At her second marriage Amelia describes her status as that of ‘Gentlewoman’ an old fashioned term which has slipped out of usage but one I’d like to see revived! The definition of a gentlewoman is a woman who belongs to a high social class; one who is kind, polite and honest, cultured, educated and well mannered. Aren’t we all, ladies, aren’t we all?
Amelia and William’s marriage was of a relatively short duration, which was probably unsurprising given their ages – William was 79 and Amelia 70 when they married.
Amelia died at her home, 23 King William Street, and was buried on August 7, 1882 in grave plot E8636. William died in 1889 aged 89 years and lies buried with Amelia.
Without a budget to purchase civil registration certificates and wills my research is dependent on local and online resources and sometimes it does involve a bit of detective work. Take for example Thomas Anne Fergusson who died on March 5, 1886 at 9 Rolleston Street, Swindon. Consulting the work of family historians on Ancestry, I was fortunate to come across this photograph of Thomas Anne. A clue to her movements is in the name of the photographer – Robert H. Preston, Penzance.
The Swindon link to this woman is her daughter Sophia Catherine Fergusson with whom she lived at the time of her death. Both women were born in Ireland and it would seem that Thomas Anne was probably known as Florence, using her official name on formal documents only.
Thomas Anne married Benjamin Tierney Fergusson at St Peter’s, Dublin on October 21, 1847. Sophie Catherine was born in Dublin in 1851 and just three years later her father died. The whereabouts of Thomas Anne and her young daughter between 1851 and 1881 are yet to be discovered. Sophia Catherine married Martin Etheridge in St. Mary’s, Penzance in 1883. On the entry in the marriage register her father is recorded as Benjamin Fergusson (deceased). The photograph of her mother, then aged 75, was taken in a Penzance photographic studio.
In 1886 Sophia and Martin lived in Swindon where Thomas Anne died. Both are mentioned as beneficiaries on Thomas Anne’s will. By 1891 Sophia and Martin and their three young children were living in Prestbury, Cheltenham where Martin worked as a Market Gardener.
The Etheridge family kept on moving and Sophia died in 1923 in Crickhowell, Breckonshire. Anyone researching Thomas Anne’s Swindon family (like me) would come up against a bit of a brick wall as there wasn’t one.
Thomas Anne Fergusson was buried on March 8, 1886 in grave plot A1062 where she lies alone.
The cemetery volunteers have been busy this weekend and Kevin has discovered another interesting character and a rather magnificent memorial by the chapel. Mr Nicholas Webb Baker is buried in a ‘black-lined brick grave’ according to the newspaper report.
The Late Mr N.W. Baker
A Veteran Forester
The Funeral
The numerous friends of Mr N.W. Baker of 33, Rushey Platt, Swindon, will deeply regret to hear that he passed away suddenly on Friday morning, at his residence. He had been ailing for some time, but was not seriously ill. Had he lived till to-morrow he would on that day have celebrated his 73rd birthday.
For the long period of 44 years, Mr Baker was time-keeper in the GWR Works, retiring from that post about six years ago.
By members of the AOF deceased was well known and highly respected throughout North Wilts. For a great number of years, he was Treasurer of the North Wilts District AOF which position he held at the time of his death. He was Secretary of Court “Briton’s Pride,” AOF for 36 years, and only retired from that office a month ago, owing to failing health.
Deceased leaves a widow and seven grown-up children – five sons and two daughters – for whom the deepest sympathy will be felt.
Bro. Baker was elected to the post of Treasurer of the North Wilts District, AOF, just 20 years ago, viz., in 1883 he succeeding Bros. J.W. Painter. Prior to that time, Bro. Baker was for a few years – from 1876 to 1879 – District Secretary, retiring in 1879 when Bro. T. Hill was elected.
The funeral cortege left deceased’s late residence, No 33 Rushey Platt, at four o’clock. The coffin, which was covered with beautiful wreaths, was conveyed in a hearse, the chief mourners following in carriages, while there was a large and representative number of Foresters, representing Courts in Swindon, Aldbourne, Avebury, Faringdon and Highworth.
The officiating minister was the Rev J. Jones (Primitive Methodist Superintendent), and the Foresters’ Burial Service was most impressively read by Bro. Tom Smith, PD.C.R. and District Trustee.
The remains of deceased were interred in a black-lined brick grave, and the breast-plate on the coffin bore the following inscription:
Nicholas Webb Baker,
Died July 31, 1903,
Aged 72 years.
Extracts from the Swindon Advertiser, Friday, August 7, 1903.
And it seems likely this was the former home of Mr Baker.
Nicholas Webb Baker died at his home, Rushey Platt House, on July 31, 1903. He was buried on August 4 in Radnor Street Cemetery in grave plot D1557, which he shares with his wife Elizabeth.
The new Swindon Cemetery opened in August 1881 and by the end of that year 94 funerals had taken place.
The first burial was that of Frederick Gore whose funeral was furnished by Richard Skerten. With premises at 1 Queen Street, New Swindon, Richard Skerten was a Joiner and Undertaker employing three men and one boy in 1881. His son Arthur, based at nearby 5 King Street, was also a carpenter, joiner and undertaker (these occupations frequently went hand in hand.)
Edward Hemmings at 22a Fleet Street looked set to be busy with the opening of the new cemetery until his own unfortunate demise when he became the 5th person to be buried there in August 1881. His brother Frederick took over the business in 1882 and makes a regular appearance in the registers thereafter.
Probably the undertaker most associated with Radnor Street Cemetery is Henry Smith and the family business he established. Omnipresent in the cemetery from the 1880s and throughout the 20th century, the firm of A.E. Smith continues in business to this day with premises at Queens Drive, Swindon.
And then there were Memorial Cards and mourning attire and monuments and memorials and yes, there was a Swindon business to provide all of these services.
Sometimes the story I set out to research becomes a different one altogether…
I was first drawn to the attractive and unusual design of this small headstone, which marks the grave of George and Annie Hanks and their daughter Dorothy Daisy Elsie Westwood.
Dorothy Westwood died on February 3, 1937 and was buried in grave plot B3083. George Hanks was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, a fraternal organisation supporting worthy causes. The organisation known today as Moose International meets at the Moose Hall, Eastcott Road. He died at his home 2 Shelley Street and was buried alongside his daughter on August 22, 1938 in grave plot B3084. George’s wife Annie survived him by 25 years. She died aged 92 in Guildford but was buried here with George and their daughter on August 19, 1963 in grave plot B3084.
But these weren’t the first people to be buried in this double plot B3083/4. Like so many plots in the cemetery, this was originally a public grave – a plot for those unable to afford the purchase of their own grave.
Plot B3083 was first the grave of Ellen Little who died aged 63 at her home, 47 Cambria Bridge Road and was buried on March 25, 1909.
Plot B3084 was first the grave of Robert and Georgina Wallbridge.
Robert Wallbridge married Georgina Tryphena Eliza Woodward at Christ Church on August 5, 1903. He was 24 years old, a hairdresser who lived at The Fountain Inn, Devizes Road at the time of his wedding. Georgina was 25, the daughter of George Woodward, a joiner, and lived at 9 Newport Street.
A daughter Irene May was born the following year and another, Vera Maude in 1906. The young family lived first at 181 Rodbourne Road and later at 9 Prospect Hill. But family life was cut short when Robert died in the spring of 1909. He was 29 years old. He was buried here in plot B3084.
At the time of the 1911 census Georgina was living at 9 Prospect Hill where she worked as a Beer House Keeper. Living with her were her two daughters, Irene 6 and Vera 5 and her brother Arthur 20, a cycle maker.
Just two years later Georgina died aged 35 years old. She was buried with Robert in plot B3084 on March 5, 1913.
But what happened to the two little orphaned girls then aged 7 and 9 years old.
I discovered the two sisters on the 1939 census living at 1 Kinnoull Mansions, Rowhill Road, Hackney. Vera was working as a ‘Book Keeping Typist.’ Irene’s details have been redacted. It appears that neither sisters married but their whereabouts between 1913 and 1939 is still to be discovered. The sisters returned to the Swindon area. Irene’s death was registered in February 1985 and Vera died February 9, 1987 at 2 Foundry Rise, Chiseldon.
Sometimes the story I set out to research becomes a different one altogether…
I’ve had this broken headstone on my to-do list for a very long time. I thought it might prove something of a challenge. I had long wondered who Frederick Millman’s lost wife was and once I discovered her, she pieced together a large Radnor Street Cemetery family history.
Delia Spry was born on December 25, 1805 in Ninfield, Sussex and was baptised in the parish church there on March 26, 1806. In 1829 she married Richard Veness at the Church of St Peter the Great, Chichester.
Delia Millman formerly Veness born Spry
I discovered Delia on the 1841 census returns, the first complete census available online. She is living in Hartlebury, Worcestershire, a widow with 5 young children – Maria 10, Jane 9, Thomas 7, Alfred 5 and 3 year old Louisa.
Needs must and it would not be long before she married again. Her second husband was Edward Millman, a bricklayer, and in 1851 the family were living in Wolverhampton. Delia’s two sons by her first marriage have taken their stepfather’s name and Delia has three children by her second marriage – Edward 6, Elizabeth 4 and 2 year old Mary.
Thomas Veness
By 1881 Thomas Veness, married with four children – Thomas, Alfred, Harriet and Reginald, had arrived in Swindon and the family were living at 30 Sheppard Street. You can read their story (especially that of their daughter political activist Harriet) here.
The death occurred at Worcester, on May 21st, of Mr. Thos. Veness, a retired foreman from the Locomotive Department at Swindon, at the ripe age of 87. Mr. Veness was one of the founders of the Swindon branch of the GWR Temperance Union, and as a member and chairman of the branch Committee rendered great service in the early days of the Union. He was an abstainer for over 60 years and an earnest worker. He was for many years connected with the Band of Hope movement, the Church of England Temperance Society, and the Good Templars. After the formation of a branch of the GWR Union in Swindon he gave himself whole-heartedly to forwarding the work and influence amongst the railway staff.
Great Western Railway Magazine August 1920
By 1881 Delia and Edward had returned to Bexhill but they would soon make there way to Swindon. Delia died at her home, 72 Bridge Street and was buried on January 6, 1887 in grave plot E8430 – the headstone broken and her name missing. Edward died 14 years later, at his daughter Mary’s home, 83 Victoria Road. He was buried with Delia on January 30, 1901.
Edward Millman
Elizabeth Millman had also made her way to Swindon by 1881. She had married Frederick Benjamin Hook, another bricklayer, and in the census of that year was living in Upper Stratton with Frederick and her family of six children. You can read the sad story of Ben Lawson Hook who died in an accident in the Works here.
Elizabeth Hook nee Millman
Elizabeth died in 1892 and is buried in grave plot B1711 with her husband and her 16 year old daughter Nora who died in 1909.
And finally, (or is there more to discover) there is Mary Millman, Delia’s youngest daughter born in 1848. After working in domestic service as a nurse she married builder Henry William Bennett and by the mid-1870s they were also living in Swindon. (It was at Mary’s home that her father Edward died in 1901).
Mary Bennett nee Millman
Mary died in 1922 and is buried in grave plot C3672 with her husband Henry William, her son Aleck and daughter-in-law Sarah Annie.
My thanks go to family historians Ellen Magill and S.C. Hatt who have generously shared so much of their family history and photographs on Ancestry and Local Studies, Swindon Central Library enabling me to tell all these Swindon stories.
Radnor Street Cemetery 