Mary Tilbrook 1828-1905

Parents:               Edward Tilbrook and Mary Tatt
Born:                      1828 in Helions Bumpstead, Essex.
Baptised:              6th April 1828 at St Andrews Church, Helions Bumpstead, by E H Cropley, curate.(9)
Married (1):        Thomas Smith, Farm Labourer, of Little Wratting, on 30th October 1847 in Helions Bumpstead (1)
Children:              William Smith b.1849, Henry Smith b.1851 died in infancy, Charles Smith b.1854, Robert Henry Smith b.1857 died in infancy, and Harriet Eliza Smith b.1860.
Married (2):        William Whiting, 38, widower, silkweaver, of Haverhill, son of John Whiting, weaver, deceased. (3)
Children:             None.
Died:                      October 1905 in Haverhill. Buried at Haverhill Cemetery on 7th October 1905. (7,8)

Bio:               Parish registers show that Mary Tilbrook was baptised on 6th April 1828 at St Andrews Church, Helions Bumpstead.(9)

On the 1841 census we see Mary living with her parents in Sages End, Helions Bumpstead. Her father is an agricultural labourer.

Mary was to marry Thomas Smith in 1847(1). The exact date is taken from an LDS entry which I have been unable to confirm, although the year is certainly correct.

The 1851 census shows Mary and Thomas living in Haverhill Road, Little Wratting, and Thomas is working as a farm labourer. They have one son, William.

On the 1861 census we see them living on Great Wilsey Farm, Little Wratting. Thomas is a carter and agricultural labourer, and they have children William, Charles and Eliza living with them. Their two other children, Henry and Robert(2) seem to have died in infancy.

At some point in the 1860's Thomas also died, for the 1871 census finds Mary a widow. She has moved into Haverhill looking for work, and she is living in Queen Street with her children Charles and Harriet, where she has found employment as a sewing machinist.

In 1877 Mary married William Whiting, another widower, and on the 1881 census they are living together in Queen Street, Haverhill. He is a Silk weaver and she works as a finisher of jackets. They are living at 44 Queen Street on the 1891 census. When William dies in early 1897, he is in the Union Workhouse in Kedington. His age confirmed as 57 and his occupation as silk weaver. He was buried in Haverhill Cemetery.(4) 

On the 1901 census Mary is at 11 Union Square, Haverhill, and is known as 'Mary Ann'. I am sure this is her as she is listed as a widow, born in Helions Bumpstead, and her occupation and age also match exactly.

Mary died four years later and is listed as being buried at Haverhill Cemetery on 7th October 1905 and her age is given as 77 which would tally.(7,8)

Sources:      

(1) Marriage Register. 4th Quarter 1847, Risbridge District, Volume 12 Page 799.
(2) Suffolk Baptism Index, SFHS, Clare Deanery 1813-1900.
(3) Marriage Register. 4th Quarter 1877, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 849
(4) Haverhill Cemetery, Ref. 2322. http://www.haverhill-uk.com/pages/burial-records-137.htm
(6) Death Register. 1st Quarter 1897, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 405.
(7) Haverhill Cemetery, Ref. 3058. http://www.haverhill-uk.com/pages/burial-records-137.htm
(8) Death Register. 4th Quarter 1905, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 739.
(9) Essex Records Office, SEAX D/P 331/1/5, St Andrews Baptism Register Helions Bumpstead, 1813-39