Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Mary Flitney

1858 –03/11/1931

Straw plaiter who married labourer William Flitney and whose family later moved to Berkhamsted

Relatives

William Flitney (608) — husband

Frank John Flitney (553) — son

William Flitney — son

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 608 Mary Ann Flitney (née Adams) (1858-1931)

Mary Ann was born in 1858 in Newton Longville, the first daughter and second child of William and Emma (née Clark) Adams. William was a labourer on the railways and the family lived at Church End. Three sisters and another brother for Mary Ann arrived before the 1871 census when the family were still in Church End, her father was still employed by the railways as a labourer and Mary Ann was helping out by straw plaiting while her older brother was a farmer’s boy.

Mary Ann married William Flitney from Northchurch in Newton Longville 29 October 1876 and their first son, Frederick, was born in 1876 in Northchurch followed by William in 1879.

In 1881 the family were living in George Street and William was a “general domestic servant”.

Further children were born: Ellen (1883), Emily (1885), Ethel (1888) and Jessie (1890) by the time of the

1891 census. It shows that the family lived at 3, Eddy Street and William was employed as a general labourer. The oldest son, Frederick, had gone to London to work as a page boy.

William and Mary Ann’s last child, Francis John (always known as Frank) was born in 1898.

The family were still living in Eddy Street in 1901. William was employed as a nurseryman’s labourer, William jnr. was working at the brewery as a labourer and two of the daughters were employed at the mantle manufactory. With a household of nine money must have been tight.

By the time of the 1911 census the Flitneys had moved to 48, Shrublands Avenue – a five roomed house for six adults and two teenagers.

In 1915 Frank, the youngest in the family, enlisted in the Army and saw heavy fighting in France, eventually being discharged in 1919 in poor health.

In June 1921 William, aged 70, was still working as a labourer at Lane’s Nurseries. Also at home were their unmarried daughter Elsie and son Frank, who was too unwell to work.

Frank married and had two sons, but died in August 1931 aged only 33. It would prove to be a terrible year for the Flitney family as William died in October aged 81, followed in November by Mary Ann, aged 73. She is buried here with William.

Frank and his brother William, who died in 1944, lie in plot 553

William Flitney (608)

1851 –25/10/1931

A labourer employed at Lanes' Nurseries

Relatives

Frank John Flitney (553) — son

William Flitney — son

Mary Flitney — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 608 William Flitney (1851-1931)

William was born in 1851 in Aldbury, the son of William Flitney, a rail porter, born in the parish, and his wife Mary, from Northchurch. They already had a one year old daughter Lizzie when William was born. The family lived very close to The Royal Hotel at Tring station where William snr must have worked.

The family had moved to Berkhamsted by at least 1856 when the first of William jnr’s three youngest siblings was born.

In the 1861 census they are recorded living in Water Lane and William snr. was a “railway man”.

He had changed occupations and become a house painter by April 1871 when the family were living in Mill Street, Berkhamsted. William jnr, aged 20, was a shoemaker.

William jnr. married Mary Ann Adams from Newton Longville 29 October 1876 in Newton Longville. Their first son, Frederick, was born in 1876 in Northchurch followed by William in 1879.

In 1881 the family were living in George Street and William was a “general domestic servant”.

Further children were born: Ellen (1883), Emily (1885), Ethel (1888) and Jessie (1890) by 1891 when the family lived at 3, Eddy Street . William was employed as a general labourer and his oldest son, Frederick, had gone to London to work as a page boy.

William and Mary Ann’s last child, Francis John (always known as Frank) was born in 1898.

The family were still living in Eddy Street in 1901. William was employed as a nurseryman’s labourer, William jnr. was working at the brewery as a labourer and two of the daughters were employed at the mantle manufactory. With a household of nine money must have been tight.

By the time of the 1911 census the Flitneys had moved to 48, Shrublands Avenue – a five roomed house for six adults and two teenagers.

In 1915 Frank, the youngest in the family enlisted in the Army and saw heavy fighting in France, eventually being discharged in 1919 in poor health.

In June 1921 William, aged 70, was still working as a labourer at Lane’s Nurseries. Also at home were their unmarried daughter Elsie and son Frank who was too unwell to work.

Frank married and had two sons but died in August 1931 aged only 33. It would prove to be a terrible year for the Flitney family as William died in October aged 81 followed in November by Mary Ann, aged 73. She is buried here with William.

His father William (died 1905) is also buried in this cemetery. Frank and his brother William, who died in 1944, lie in plot 553