Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Joseph King

15/11/1858 –1939

A wood turner who set up own business; father of 11 children of whom only 2 survived

Relatives

Susan King — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Unmarked grave Joseph King (1858-1939)

Joseph was born 15 November 1858, Berkhamsted. He was the son of William and Elizabeth King. William was a sawyer, born in Chesham, and Elizabeth was from Hughenden. Their first four children were born in Chesham but they moved to Bridge Street in Berkhamsted before Joseph’s birth. He eventually had three older sisters, an older brother, a younger brother and two younger sisters.

They moved to Gossoms End by 1871 when Joseph was attending school. The family was clearly not well-off – his mother was taking in sewing and two of his sisters were straw plaiters, making plait for the Luton and Dunstable hat industries. One of his brothers was a labourer.

His mother died in 1880 and the census of the next year records Joseph living with his father and three of his sisters in the High Street. He and his father were hoop and handle makers, the two adult sisters were domestic servants and the youngest was at school.

Joseph married Susan Halsey in Berkhamsted in 1882. They were to have eight sons and three daughters, but sadly only two – a son and a daughter – outlived them.

Francis Henry was born in 1883, followed by Charles Thomas in 1885. Charles died in 1887 aged 2

Frederick John was born in 1887, the Sydney Edward (1889-1956), Alfred Walter (1891), Gertrude Lily (1893-1959), Albert Evans (1896), Ethel Violet (1898) and Florence May who was born and died 1900.

By April 1891 the family had moved to George Street and Joseph was a timber merchant’s manager.

The 1901 census reveals that Joseph had gone into business as a wood turner on his own account. The Kings were living at 102, George Street “over the shop”. Frederick was a wood turner and Francis was a bench sawyer.

Tom Halsey was their final child, born in 1902.

In 1908 Frederick died aged 21, then in 1911 Alfred died aged 19 and Ethel aged 13.

Clearly Joseph was an ambitious worker and by 1921 he was a “Woodware manufacturer, employer” with works at 112, George Street. Gertrude was working in the family business as a clerk and Tom was employed as a clerk by John Dickinson, paper manufacturers at Apsley Mills

But the family tragedies continued: Tom died later that year aged 19 and Francis in 1922 aged 39. Albert, who had come safely through the First World War in the Royal Flying Corps, died aged only 30 in 1927

In 1939, Joseph and Susan lived at 60, Meadow Road. He died later that year, aged 81.

Susan died in May 1941, aged 80 and was buried here with him.

Susan King

13/07/1860 –1941

Mother of 11 children only 2 of whom survived

Relatives

Joseph King — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Unmarked grave Susan King (née Halsey) (1860-1941)

Susan was born in Bovingdon, 13 July 1860, the fifth child of Elizabeth (née Sharp) and John Halsey. Her father was a garden labourer.

The family moved to Bourne End Lane and by 1881 Susan was employed as a nurse in a domestic setting.

Susan married Joseph King in Berkhamsted in 1882. They were to have eight sons and three daughters, but sadly only two – a son and a daughter – outlived them.

Francis Henry was born in 1883, followed by Charles Thomas in 1885. Charles died in 1887 aged 2

Frederick John was born in 1887, the Sydney Edward (1889-1956), Alfred Walter (1891), Gertrude Lily (1893-1959), Albert Evans (1896), Ethel Violet (1898) and Florence May who was born and died 1900.

By April 1891 the family had moved to George Street and Joseph was a timber merchant’s manager.

The 1901 census reveals that Joseph had gone into business as a wood turner on his own account. The Kings were living at 102, George Street “over the shop”. Frederick was a wood turner and Francis was a bench sawyer.

Tom Halsey was their final child, born in 1902.

In 1908 Frederick died aged 21, then in 1911 Alfred died aged 19 and Ethel aged 13.

Clearly Joseph was an ambitious worker and by 1921 he was a “Woodware manufacturer, employer” with works at 112, George Street. Gertrude was working in the family business as a clerk and Tom was employed as a clerk by John Dickinson, paper manufacturers at Apsley Mills

But the family tragedies continued: Tom died later that year aged 19 and Francis in 1922 aged 39. Albert, who had come safely through the First World War in the Royal Flying Corps, died aged only 30 in 1927

In 1939, Joseph and Susan lived at 60, Meadow Road. He died later that year, aged 81.

Susan died in May 1941, aged 80 and was buried here with him.