Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Plot 183 James Charles Foster (1809-1849)

James was born in 1809 in Redbourn the son of James and Mary Foster. He was baptised in the parish church 23 April that year at the same time as his sister Elizabeth. It is not clear whether or not they were twins. Their younger sister Sarah was baptised in 1813. James Foster snr. was a victualler, that is a person licenced to sell alcohol, not an uncommon trade in the town, as during the coaching era Redbourn, on a major route from London to the Midlands, was known as the “Street of inns” with at least 25 inns and ale houses.

James Charles married Hannah Chilton in Berkhamsted on 20 December 1836 by licence and their first child, George Frederick, was born in 1838, followed by Daniel Charles in 1839.

The Tithe Map of 1839 lists James as the occupier of the Swan Inn in the High Street, and of meadow land to the rear of the inn. Three years later the census of 1841 records that James, Hannah and their two sons were living there along with Harriet Foster and Hannah’s younger sister, Caroline, both 20 years old, a servant and her daughter and an ostler responsible for the horses.

Anna was born in 1842, Isabell in 1843, Henry James in 1845, Edward in 1846 and Caroline in 1848.

James must have been feeling unwell early in 1849 as he made his will 20 February that year. In the lengthy document setting up a trust for his wife and young children (Prerogative Court of Canterbury PROB 11: Will Registers 1850-1852 Piece 2109: Vol. 4, Quire Numbers 151-200 (1850)) James states that he was a maltster, brewer and innkeeper. He makes provisions for “All those premises, cottages, messuages recently purchased”, freehold cottages in Gossoms End and other real estate and mentions books, paintings and plate as well all the objects associated with his trade.

He died 23 September 1849 aged only 40. Hannah continued to run The Swan very capably and remarried in 1852 to John Edward Lane, a vigorous businessman from the Lane’s