Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Daniel Charles Foster

11/09/1839 –13/01/1884

of the Foster Brothers' Swan Brewery and churchwarden of St Peter's

Relatives

Hannah Lane — mother

Edward Foster — brother

George Frederick Foster — brother

Lieutenant-Colonel Henry James Foster — brother

• Melanie Hilton
• James Moir

Plot x5 Daniel Charles Foster (1839-1884)

Daniel was born in Berkhamsted 11 September 1839, the second child of James Charles and Hannah (née Chilton) Foster. His father was licensee of The Swan Inn and had established a flourishing malting and brewing business.

However, his father died in 1847, aged only 40, and his mother, who had continued to run the business married John Edward Lane, of Lane’s Nurseries, who energetically developed and expanded the brewery and licenced premises.

In 1861, aged 21, Daniel was described as “brewer” and was living in a property in the High Street, close to The George, one of his step-father’s acquisitions.

In 1871 he was running The George with the aid of a housekeeper, a cook and a waitress.

In the 1871 census Daniel was still at The George and his unmarried sisters Caroline and Annie were living with him.

Daniel died 13 January 1884.

His mother lies in plot 181 and his father in Plot 183. His brothers are also buried in this cemetery: Edward (plot 239), George (plot 183) and Henry (x240).

The Hertford Mercury and Reformer, Saturday 19 January 1884 reported that:

“On Sunday evening, Mr. Daniel Charles Foster, Rector’s churchwarden since 1877, of the firm of Foster Brothers, Swan Brewery, died. Mr. Foster, in addition to the onerous duties of churchwarden, was a trustee of several charities, treasurer of the Dispensary Soup Fund, and a director of various local companies, and he will be greatly missed in many capacities. Mr. Foster succumbed to an attack of inflammation. At the funeral at noon on Wednesday every mark of respect was manifested, and crowds attended.  The chief mourners were Mr. H.J. Foster only brother of deceased; Mr. F.T. Lane, Messrs. Chilten (four brothers), the employees, and a large body of tradesmen and others, including a number of the local Freemasons, to which body Mr. Foster belonged. The choir attended, and preceded the body to the grave. The Rector – assisted by the Reverend H.D. MacNamara – conducted the service. The employees carried the deceased to his grave. A number of choice wreaths were placed on the coffin by female relatives, who awaited the procession at the cemetery, and other friends.”