Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Jesse Kempster

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Unmarked plot Jesse Kempster (1859-1917) 

Jesse was born in Ashley Green in 1859 to Obadiah and Caroline Kempster. His father was an agricultural labourer.

In 1861 the family was living in Hog Lane, Northchurch. Jesse had two older and one younger sister and two older brothers, all eight or younger. With Obadiah the only breadwinner it must have been a hard life for the family.

Ten years later they were still in Hog Lane. Two more boys had been born but only five children were now at home. Jesse’s older sister was a straw plaiter, he was a “farmer’s boy” and the three youngest were at school.

Jesse married Susannah Burgin, born in Chipperfield, in Berkhamsted in 1877. It is likely that they had one child who died in infancy before Kate, who was born in 1880.

In 1881 they were living in Highfield Road and Jesse was a farm labourer.

Harry was born in 1884 followed by Nellie (1887) and Albert (1891).

In 1891 Jesse was a labourer and they lived on King’s Hill where he was to remain for the rest of his life. Ernest was born in 1893 and Jesse jnr. in 1896.

In1901 Jesse was a “Horseman on farm” and in 1911, “Waggoner on farm”. All four sons were living at home and all were employed.

Jesse died in November 1917 at Kings Hill Cottages, aged 59.