Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Joseph Batchelor

c1854 –09/01/1934

Born in Chesham, carpenter pub landlord

Relatives

Emily Batchelor (628) — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Joseph Batchelor (c.1849/50- 1934)

Joseph was born in around 1849/50 in Chesham, the son of carpenter Joseph Batchelor and his wife Hannah Martha (née Scales).

In 1851 the family were living in Chartridge, a hamlet just north west of Chesham, but by the time of the 1861 census they were in Castle Street, Berkhamsted. Joseph had two younger brothers.

He was still living at the same address with his parents ten years later and was working as a carpenter, like his father.

On 18th June 1876 Joseph married Emily Cheshire in St George’s, Bloomsbury, London The wedding was by banns and the residence of both of them was given as 12, Henrietta Street. It is not possible to tell why they were marrying in London – both of them were from Berkhamsted.

By the time of the 1881 census they were at the Alford Arms, Frithsden and Joseph was described as “Licenced victualler & carpenter.” The Alford Arms is still there, and still a pub, albeit one with considerably higher gastronomic standards than it might have had in Joseph and Emily’s day!

Ten years later they were living in the High Street, Berkhamsted and Joseph was described as simply, “Carpenter” but by 1900 he had returned to the licenced trade at the little Royal Oak beer house next to the Sayer’s alms houses in the High Street. He was also working as a carpenter.

From at least the time of the 1911 census Joseph and Emily were living at  6, Thompson’s Row, cottages which are now demolished, and remained there for the rest of their lives.

Emily died in 1932 and Joseph passed away in 1934 aged eighty four.

Emily Batchelor (628)

1852 –07/10/1932

Domestic servant and wife of Joseph Batchelor

Relatives

Joseph Batchelor — husband

• Melanie Hilton

 Emily Batchelor (née Cheshire) (c. 1852-1932)

Emily was born around 1852 in Rickmansworth, the daughter of Frederick Cheshire, a tailor & Mary (née Meager) his wife.

Her parents seem to have moved about – Emily was the oldest of their children and she and her brother Frederick were born in Rickmansworth, then Jane in Tring, then Frank, Herbert, Alfred and finally Alice in Berkhamsted.

In 1861, when Emily was eight, they were living in High Street, Northchurch.

By the 1871 census Emily had left home and, aged eighteen, was working as a housemaid to the family of surgeon William H. Hobson who lived in the High Street, Berkhamsted. The household comprised his wife, two children, one an infant, and his two resident medical students. Also working there were a cook and a nurse for the baby.

On 18^th June 1876 Emily married Joseph Batchelor, a carpenter from Berkhamsted. They were wed at St George’s, Bloomsbury, London and both gave their address as 12, Henrietta Street, a road just north of the Strand. Why they were married in London is impossible to tell. The marriage was by banns, which according to law had to be read on three consecutive Sundays before the wedding ceremony, in the home parish churches of both parties, so it could hardly be a question of convenience, nor, as two of Emily’s siblings were witnesses, did it seem to be because of parental disapproval.

The next record of the couple is in the 1881 census. Joseph was then both carpenter and licenced victualler and they were running the Alford Arms in Frithsden. Today the Alford Arms is a smart gastropub, which might have surprised them!

Ten years later they were living in the High Street, Berkhamsted. Joseph was described simply as “carpenter”, but the 1890 Post Office Directory records Joseph as holding the licence of the little Royal Oak beer house next to the Sayers alms houses, and in the 1891 census he is described both as carpenter and beer house keeper.

By 1911 the couple had moved to 6, Thompson’s Row, cottages which have now been demolished, and they remained there until their deaths. The couple do not appear to have had children.

Emily died the 7^th October 1932 aged eighty and Joseph was laid to rest with her here two years later.