George Albury (1817-1854)

George Albury moved from Rogate in West Sussex to Fareham in Hampshire where he worked as a labourer. He was the son of James and Rhoda (formerly Luckins), and was baptised at Rogate on August 17, 1817. His father's occupation was recorded as a Labourer. For some unknown reason, he appears in the 1841 census of Fareham with the surname Williams:

Details from the 1841 census: Address - Windmill Lane, Fareham, Hampshire. Elizabeth Parsons, born in this county about 1808 (33); William Parsons, born outside this county about 1826 (15), Labourer; Jane Parsons, born in this county about 1835 (6); George Williams, born outside this county about 1817 (24), Labourer.

George Albury and Elizabeth Parsons had 3 children, all born at Fareham: Rhoda Allberry on June 3, 1843, baptised September 3, 1843; James Aldbury on January 4, 1846, baptised May 3, 1846; and Henry Aubery on December 17, 1847 (my wife's great grandfather). Both Rhoda and James' surname was spelled as Aubrey on their baptism records. So far I have been unable to locate a marriage for George and Elizabeth, even though Rhoda's birth certificate shows her mother to be Elizabeth Parsons formerly childs, and both James and Henry's birth certificates show their mother as "late Parsons formerly childs".

Details from the 1851 Census: Address - Rupet Place, Fareham, Hampshire. George Allbray, Head, b1818 (33) Rogate, sussex, Labourer; Elizabeth Allbray, Wife, b1808 (43) Chilgrove, Sussex; Rhoda Allbray, Daughter, b1843 (8) Fareham, Hampshire; James Allbray, Son, b1845 (6) Fareham, Hampshire; Henry Allbray, Son, b1848 (3) Fareham, Hampshire; Sarah Childs, Mother-in-Law, Widow, b1765 (86) Fareham, Hampshire.

Elizabeth's mother, Sarah childs, died of "old age" on November 2, 1853 at Red Lion Yard, Fareham, and was buried at the St Peter & St Paul Churchyard, Fareham, aged 88. A year later, again at Red Lion Yard, George Aubrey died of "Phthisis" (Pulminary Tuberculosis) on November 20, 1854. He was buried on November 23 at the St Peter & St Paul Churchyard, Fareham, aged just 37. His burial record has his surname written as Albery. The informant for both of these deaths was Mary Luff, but so far I have been unable to make a connection between her and this family. Almost three and a half years later, George and Elizabeth's son Henry was baptised at the age of 10 at Saint John's Church, Forton, Gosport, on April 11, 1858, with his surname written as albury. His parents were recorded as George and Elizabeth Albury of Fareham, his father being a Labourer. There is no mention of George being deceased on this baptism entry.

By the time of the census of 1861, Elizabeth and her children were living in Durham Street, Gosport. Not only is Elizabeth shown as a widow in this census, but rather than being Allbray, her surname is Williams, as are her 3 children:

Details from the 1861 Census: Address - 2 Durham Street, Gosport, Hampshire. Elizabeth Williams, Head, Widow, b1808 (53) Fareham, Laundress; Rhoda Williams, Daughter, Unmarried, b1844 (17) Fareham; James Williams, Son, b1846 (15) Fareham, Brickmaker; Henry Williams, Son, b1848 (13) Fareham, Brickmaker.

The 1871 Census shows that Elizabeth Williams was living at Mill Lane, Gosport, with Rhoda's two daughters, Emily and Elizabeth, while both Henry Albray and Henry Hawkins were at sea:

Details from the 1871 Census: Address - Mill Lane, Gosport, Hampshire. Elizabeth Williams, Head, widow, b1809 (62) Fareham, Laundress; Emily Hawkins, Granddaughter, b1867 (4) Alverstoke; Elizabeth Hawkins, Granddaughter, b1870 (1) Alverstoke.

Elizabeth Williams was living with John Purkess and his family at 2 Bedford Street, Gosport, at the time of the 1881 Census, right next door to her daughter Sarah in number 4:

Details from the 1881 Census: Address - 2 Bedford Street, Gosport, Hampshire. John Purkess, Head, b1851 (30) Netley, Brickmaker; Mary Ann Purkess, Wife, b1851 (30) Christchurch, Hampshire; Annie E. Purkess, Daughter, b1874 (7) Milton, Hampshire, Scholar; Elizabeth H. Purkess, Daughter, b1876 (5) Milton, Hampshire, Scholar; Katie L. Purkess, Daughter, b1879 (2) Alverstoke, Hampshire; Elizabeth Williams, widow, b1809 (72) Chichester, Sussex, Laundress.

Elizabeth later moved along Bedford street to number 26, where she died of "Bronchitis" on january 31, 1887, aged 79. The informant was M J Adams, (Mary Jane), the wife of Elizabeth's grandson, George Adams. Elizabeth was buried in plot 145 at Anns Hill Cemetery on February 5, 1887.