In Spring Road Cemetery (also sometimes known as the Old Cemetery) are the memorials of a number of interesting people and I thought I’d start an occasional series to point some of them out. If anybody has any more details or corrections I would be interested to get my facts right.
Arthur Preston, historian, Abingdon Mayor and Freeman has a headstone near the lower chapel of rest.
One of the largest stones has been erected for John Creemer Clarke, Member of Parliament, clothing manufacturer, and the benefactor who helped fund the building of Trinity church and the cottage hospital.
At the top end of the cemetery is a memorial to J E Steven of the Royal Navy Air Service who died in 1917 during WWI.
Not far away, two other persons buried in the cemetery during World War I were from China. I am told they were part of a labour camp at Milton. For many years their graves were surrounded by iron railings since it was the custom to leave money scattered on Chinese graves. Their names : Ar Fook and Muk Sheung.
Arthur Edwin Preston 1852 – 1942
1911 census shows him living at Whitefield Park Cresent with wife and 3 servants. Edith Ellen Fyfield, Single, age 38, employed as Cook, born in Oxford. Ellen Gerring, Single, age 21, employed as Parlour Maid, born in Berkshire. Ada Harriet Terry, Single, age 16, employed as Housemaid, born Berkshire.
1901 census has him living at same address with wife and 3 different servants.
1891 census he was living with his mother (who was widowed) in Piccadilly House Ock St. (situated after No. 238).
1881 census his abode was High St with widowed mother.
!871 & 1861 census living with his parents in High St.
From 1861 to 1891 family managed with 1 servant.
Hope to look up the other people mentioned in Blog when I get the urge to take a break from my own Family history research.
John Creemer Clarke 1821 – 1895.
Born in Exbourne, Devon 1821. Baptised 21 June 1821, father was a farmer.
1841 census most likely working for a Robert Hamlyn, Draper, in Bideford Devon as an Assistant Draper.
(As the 1841 census is less detailed than later ones this is the best assumption for all the J. Clarkes found).
1851 census living in Reading, at 22, King Street with 2nd wife Elizabeth & son John Herber, born 1847, borne by 1st wife. (More about John Herber later). His occupation listed as Clothier.
1861 census living in Bath Street, Abingdon, with wife, 3 sons, one also named John J. (or S) born 1853, (no mention of John Herber) plus 4 daughters. His occupation listed as Wholesale Clothier employing 1500 hands!!
1871 census living in Bath St. his occupation listed as Cloth Merchant, with wife, 1 son John J. (or S) aged 18, a Wholesale Clothier, 5 daughters, 1 governess, & 4 servants.
1881 census still living in Bath St. wife not listed, occupation listed as Tailor Manufacturer Clothier, 1 son Harry T., 4 daughters, 5 servants inc. a Ladies maid.
1891 census living at Waste Court, Bath St. (now part of Abingdon School, bought in 1928). Wife listed on census along with 1 daughter, & 4 servants.
He died in 1895, I believe his wife Elizabeth died in 1903 aged 78.
John Herber Clarke 1847 – 1895
1851 census as above.
1861 census found as pupil at Wesleyan College in Trull Somerset.
1871 census living in Northcourt, Abingdon with wife Charlotte, occupation Merchant.
1881 census living in Fritzharry’s House Abingdon with wife plus children. Occupation given as Tailor Manufacturer & J.P.
1891 census living in Fritzharry’s House age 44, occupation Wholesale Clothier.
1898 died aged 51 in Croydon, London, 3 years after his father.
His widow Charlotte lived in Heath House, Boars Hill with 1 son, 4 daughters & 2 servants at the 1901 census. In 1911 at the census was still living in Heath House with 4 grown-up unmarried daughters of private means and 1 house parlour maid.
I am left wondering did he compete with his father in the clothing trade or did they work together?
It would appear that he lived close to his father after college, pursuing a similar occupation.
To date I have not found anything on the remaining graves pictured in the Blog. Will keep looking.
John Heber CLARKE married one of my relatives.
Interested in tracing descendants, and have found some details. Please Email me.
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Can you tell me anything more about the Chinese graves in Abingdon cemetery? Or about the Chinese labourers at Milton during the First World War?