Biography:
Benjamin Jones
1840 –1924
Benjamin Jones
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Unmarked grave Benjamin Jones (1840-1924)
Benjamin was born in 1840 in Chesham, the third son of Mary and William Jones. His father was a bowl turner and the family lived in Red Lion Street. By the age of 11 Benjamin was already working as a silk winder in a local factory, as was his 12 year old brother. By law there was nothing to stop children of that age being employed in factories and working long hours. Small boys and girls were particularly welcome in the textile factories as they could slip in an out between machines loading spindles and cleaning up. It was dangerous work.
By the time he was 19, and still living with his parents, Benjamin was a shoe maker, a safer and less physically demanding job.
In April 1860 Benjamin, along with three other men, was up in front of the magistrates charged with trespass on Lord Chesham’s estates in pursuit of game using dogs. Benjamin ended up with a fine of 26 shillings.
He married Caroline Nash in the Amersham district in 1863 and at some point changed career again and became a wooden shovel maker.
In September 1870 Benjamin was imprisoned for fourteen days for assault. Perhaps as a result of that, or perhaps simply because of an employment opportunity, by 1871 he and Caroline were living in Gossoms End.
In 1901 they were living at 58, Gossoms End with two boarders. They were still there in 1911 with niece Lily Hawkes.
Caroline died in May 1920 and by mid-June 1921 Benjamin was a patient in the workhouse infirmary, the only option at the time for anyone unable to afford private healthcare.
He died in the infirmary in December 1924 aged 84.
He was buried in the same grave on the same day as Thomas Martin who also died in the workhouse.
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Unmarked grave Benjamin Jones (1840-1924)
Benjamin was born in 1840 in Chesham, the third son of Mary and William Jones. His father was a bowl turner and the family lived in Red Lion Street. By the age of 11 Benjamin was already working as a silk winder in a local factory, as was his 12 year old brother. By law there was nothing to stop children of that age being employed in factories and working long hours. Small boys and girls were particularly welcome in the textile factories as they could slip in an out between machines loading spindles and cleaning up. It was dangerous work.
By the time he was 19, and still living with his parents, Benjamin was a shoe maker, a safer and less physically demanding job.
In April 1860 Benjamin, along with three other men, was up in front of the magistrates charged with trespass on Lord Chesham’s estates in pursuit of game using dogs. Benjamin ended up with a fine of 26 shillings.
He married Caroline Nash in the Amersham district in 1863 and at some point changed career again and became a wooden shovel maker.
In September 1870 Benjamin was imprisoned for fourteen days for assault. Perhaps as a result of that, or perhaps simply because of an employment opportunity, by 1871 he and Caroline were living in Gossoms End.
In 1901 they were living at 58, Gossoms End with two boarders. They were still there in 1911 with niece Lily Hawkes.
Caroline died in May 1920 and by mid-June 1921 Benjamin was a patient in the workhouse infirmary, the only option at the time for anyone unable to afford private healthcare.
He died in the infirmary in December 1924 aged 84.
He was buried in the same grave on the same day as Thomas Martin who also died in the workhouse.
Relatives
No relatives have been linked to Benjamin Jones
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