Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Matilda Hopcroft Nash married Charles W. Chapman Hawkins on the 4th December 1854. They had one son and seven daughters between 1855 and 1873. In 1861 Charles and Matilda were living in the High Street with 3 daughters, Caroline age 6, and Jane and Sarah. In 1871 – Charles and Matilda were living in the High Street – he was described as being born at Boxmoor, Matilda at Oving in Bucks and by that time they had five children. Jane was described as a straw-plaiter In 1881, they were living in Ravens Lane, and had 6 children (Jane, Sarah, William, Kate, Clara and Ada) living with them – William aged 18 was a ‘Benchman’ and Kate, aged 16 was a straw-plaiter In 1891, Charles and Matilda were living in Bridge Street, he was a sawyer (and described as such in all the census entries) and they had two daughters Jane, aged 34 and Clara aged 21, both dressmakers, still living with them, as well as their grandson, William North aged 9, born at Two Waters (Hemel). Next door to them lived their son William Chapman, aged 27, now described as a sawyer, with his wife and 3 sons. Charles William died when he was 67 and was buried in Rectory Lane Cemetery, although the headstone is now missing. Matilda died 12 Feb 1926, aged 90, when she was living at 171 High Street. She was buried by EJ Anthony, the curate. It is highly likely she is buried in the same plot as Charles.