Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Mary Ann Cook

29/05/1864 –03/01/1947

Nursemaid and wife of Edwin/Edward Cook

Relatives

Edward/Edwin Cook (1053) — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 1053 Mary Ann Cook (née Baker) (1864-1947) 

Mary Ann was born 29th May 1864, the daughter of Charles William and Eliza (née Scott) Baker. She was baptised in St Peter’s 18 February 1866.

Her father was a blacksmith, born in Chesham. Her mother came from Amersham and worked as a straw plaiter. Mary Ann was the eldest of their seven daughters. She and Louisa, born 1865, were both born in Berkhamsted, but if Charles had been working in the town at that time he had gone back to Chesham by the time of the 1871 census when the family were living in Chartridge.

In 1881 her family had moved back to Berkhamsted and were living in Kings Road. However, Mary Ann, aged 16, was employed as a nursemaid in the household of Alfred (a professor of music) and Sarah Ann Parsons in Hemel Hempstead. Sarah had six children under the age of 13, and only one other servant, so Mary Ann must have been very busy indeed.

On 14^th April 1884 she married Edwin (or Edward) Cook, bricklayer in St Peter’s, Berkhamsted. (He signed himself Edwin in the 1921 census return. The 1939 return was originally Edwin and changed to Edward. His probate record gives both names.)

By the time of the 1911 census they were living at 14 Highfield Road, Berkhamsted, with all the family at home: George Cook 27 (Bricklayer), Elizabeth 25 (Leather Factory worker), Florence 15 (Dressmaker), William 14 (School Grocers Errand Boy), Sarah Cook 42 (Edwin’s unmarried sister, described as Boarder and Laundry Worker), together with Charles Baker 69, Mary Ann’s father, described as a visitor.

Young William signed up for the army in December 1915 and served in the Machine Gun Corps in France. He was wounded in August 1918 but fortunately survived and was discharged and took up a career as a painter and decorator.

They had moved to 49, Highfield Road by June 1921. Only William was living at home.

By the time of the 1939 census, all the children had left home, so only Mary Ann and Edwin were listed.

At the time of her death on 3rd January 1947 Mary Ann was living at 49 Highfield Road Berkhamsted. Her effects of £280 11s were left to her husband Edwin, whose occupation was given as Builder.

Edward/Edwin Cook (1053)

01/08/1864 –10/05/1951

A labourer and husband of Mary Ann cook

Relatives

Mary Ann Cook — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 1053 Edwin or Edward Cook (1864-1951)

Edwin/Edward was born on 1st August 1864 to Joseph Cook, an agricultural labourer and his wife Ann, a straw plaiter. He was baptised 28 August 1864 in St Peter’s. (His name appears most likely to have been Edwin although on the 1939 Register it has been changed to Edward. It varies on census returns.)

In 1871 and 1881 the family were living at Canal Side. In 1881 Edwin was working as a labourer.

Edwin married Mary Ann Baker, the daughter of blacksmith Charles Baker, on 14^th April 1884 in St Peter’s.

By the time of the 1911 census they were living at 14 Highfield Road, Berkhamsted, with all the family at home: George Cook 27 (Bricklayer), Elizabeth 25 (Leather Factory worker), Florence 15 (Dressmaker), William 14 (School Grocers Errand Boy), Sarah Cook 42 (Edwin’s unmarried sister, described as Boarder and Laundry Worker), together with Mary Ann’s father Charles Baker 69, described as a visitor.

Young William signed up for the army in December 1915 and served in the Machine Gun Corps in France. He was wounded in August 1918 but fortunately survived and was discharged and took up a career as a painter and decorator. In 1921 he was the only one of the family still living with his parents.

By the time of the 1939 census, all the children had left home, so only Mary Ann and Edward/Edwin were listed.

Edwin died on 10th May 1951 aged 86 and is buried with his wife.

His probate record describes him as “Edward, otherwise Edwin”.