| The Newbury Family from Wiltshire | |
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Memorabilia
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Originally both families came from Wiltshire: Wylye and Marlborough respectively. The Newbury family seem to have been dependent on agriculture for their livelihood at a time when this was a particularly hard life. No doubt this was the reason why John moved to London to work as a general labourer and eventually married there. Jemima's grandfather, David Looker, was an ostler first in Wiltshire and then in Middlesex where his son, Jemima’s father, later became a cab driver.
Jane Newbury as a young woman, circa 1900; possibly taken to mark her engagement to Mark Burgess. I have a matching photograph of Mark from the same studio.
Jane was working as a domestic servant before her marriage to Mark Burgess in 1904, but by 1911 they had taken up residence at 335 Green Lanes, Haringay and Jane was running her own shop downstairs while Mark manufactured pianos a few streets away. Jane was a wardrobe dealer, selling secondhand clothes, although she was prepared to branch out when the opportunity arose. One of my cousins, Joyce, recalls her great uncle, Wally Newbury, saying he took some items he brought back from India to Jane to sell in her shop in Harringay - one “r” for the borough: two for the neighbourhood. Mrs Jane Burgess is listed as a wardrobe dealer in the 1926 edition of Kelly’s Directory for Middlesex, and again in 1933 and 1937. Each time the address is given as 335 Green Lanes, Finsbury Park. Interestingly, the premises are still being used as a clothes shop albeit of a rather more upmarket nature than previously.
Click here to open a new window with source citations for the tree above.
Jane and Mark had three daughters: Rose, Winifred and Daisy, all born in Harringay. When Rose was about to marry Harold Burgess in 1933 Jane sent him a letter with advice for a happy future. 20th Nov 1933 335 Green Lanes, Harringay N4 Dear Harold I presume you have now definitely settled the marriage between you & Rose is to take place Sat Nov 25th that being so Mr Burgess and myself wish you all future health prosperity & happiness. Dear Harold it is a hard wrench for a Mother to give up her daughter into another’s keeping, blind to what the future holds for her, likewise for a Mother to lose her son with the same outlook. I ask you as Rose’s Mother before taking my child, to make up your mind to be a loyal true Husband to her guarding her as far as lays in your power from worry and harm, leaving no stone unturned to protect her in her future happiness, of course you will expect your little ups & downs, when these come: the easiest way is for both to give & take & both pull together, not for one alone to bear the whole issue: also often a little word of encouragement or a very small action helps a long way, when a little anxiety props up, & never forget that little song, you know “One little kiss each morning one little kiss each night” If you feel any doubts about your future, or the happiness of either of you at stake, then hesitate before you take the fatal step, as it will soon be too late to change your mind. If on the other hand you feel quite sure of yourself then I pray God to protect you from all harm & give you health strength & courage to fight together. & reap a real happy future I have written your Mother so perhaps you will let me know final arrangements wishing you all you wish yourself From Mr Burgess & Myself. Did Jane have misgivings, perhaps prompted by Harold’s long recovery from TB two years before? She does rather emphasise her wish for health and strength.
____________________________________ Here are some explanatory notes for the family members featured in the links below.
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Jane Newbury was born in 1879 in Hammersmith, Middlesex, and was the middle of eleven children. Her parents were John Edward Newbury and Jemima Looker who had married on 16 May 1869. 
The three daughters: Daisy, Rose and Winnie Burgess.