Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

John Capp

1842 –06/03/1929

Born in Wing, a bootmaker

Relatives

Amelia Capp (771) — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Unmarked grave John Capp (1842-1929)

John was born in 1842 in Wing, the son of Thomas Capp, a cordwainer (a fine leather worker), and Mary Ann (née Jolly).

In 1851 they were living in Back Street, Wing and John had an elder sister and two younger brothers and a younger sister.

Ten years later the family lived in Church Street, Wing. Thomas was described as a boot and shoe maker, as was John. His mother and elder sister were shoe binders – the workers who put the various parts of a shoe together. Two more boys had been added to the family.

In 1871 the Capps were in Church Row, Wing, and Thomas, John (still unmarried and living at home aged 28) and one of his younger brother were again described as the more superior “cordwainers”.

Later that year he was to marry Amelia Griffin, the daughter of a baker from Wingrave. From then on John’s trade is recorded as boot and shoe repairer, a definitely less skilled occupation than shoe maker/cordwainer. Possibly, working alone, this was the more productive and profitable option.

The couple were to have two daughters: Lilian (b1872 Tring) and Rosa (b. Aston Abbots 1876.) (The 1911 census records that they lost two other children) and in the 1881 census they were living in Aston Abbots.

In 1901 John was running the post office there as postmaster and keeping up his shoe and boot mending business as well. Lilian and Rosa were both at home working as a dressmaker and draper’s assistant respectively. Neither were to marry and remained living with their parents.

The family moved to Berkhamsted and in the 1911 census are recorded at 31, Charles Street from where John continued his repair business.

It is likely that Amelia and John were members of the Methodist church.

Amelia died in January 1921. John remained at 31, Charles Street with his daughters and died there in March 1929 aged 86. He was buried here with Amelia on 8 March with the Methodist minister presiding.

Amelia Capp (771)

1845 –24/01/1921

Wife of bootmaker John Capp

Relatives

John Capp — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Unmarked grave Amelia (née Griffin) Capp (1825-1921)

Amelia was born in 1845 in Wingrave. Her father was George Griffin, a baker, and her mother Mary (née Hedges).

In 1851 they lived at Cat Street, Wingrave.

In 1861 the family were living at Mill House, Mill End, Wingrave and Amelia, aged 16, was already working as a dressmaker. In April 1871 George and his family had moved to Nup End Street (now Lane) in Wingrave where he had a baker’s shop. 26 year old Amelia was still at home, but on the night of the census a visitor was recorded – John Capp, the boot and shoe repairer whom she was to marry later that year.

Daughter Lilian was born 1872 in Tring and Rosa was born in Aston Abbots in 1876. (The 1911 census records that they lost two other children.)

In the 1881 and 1891 censuses they were still living in Aston Abbots and Amelia was working as a milliner and dressmaker.

In 1901 John was running the post office as postmaster and keeping up his shoe and boot mending business. Lilian and Rosa were both at home working as a dressmaker and draper’s assistant respectively. Neither were to marry and remained living with their parents.

The family moved to Berkhamsted and in the 1911 census are recorded at 31, Charles Street from where John continued his repair business.

It is likely that Amelia and John were members of the Methodist church.

Amelia died at home in January 1921 aged 75 and was buried 21 January. John survived her until 1929 and was buried with her here.