Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Arthur William Kingham

21/03/1870 –24/01/1940

A baker like his father, died at 69 of myocardial degeneration and chronic bronchitis

Relatives

Emily Emmett Kingham — wife

• Christopher Dolton

ARTHUR KINGHAM; 1870 -1940

Arthur William Kingham was born in Berkhamsted in 1870. He was baptized on 17th April that year. Arthur was the second child born to Charles and Emma Kingham, his elder brother, Herbert being born in 1869. The family lived in the High Street in Berkhamsted. Arthur’s father was a baker. Living with the family at the time of the 1871 census was 17 year old Arthur Darvill, also a baker and presumably working with Charles.  The Darvells (as the name is now spelt) had established a bakery in Chesham in 1838 and, unlike the Kinghams, still have baker’s shops in both Chesham and Berkhamsted.

At the time of the 1881 census the family had moved from the High Street and were now living in Gravel Path. The family had grown in size, Emma having given birth to a further four children, all daughters; Ada born in 1873; Lillian in 1874; Flora in 1876; Louisa in 1879. Arthur’s father, Charles, is described in the census of 1881 as a master baker employing 1 man. Arthur Darvill was no longer with the family, but a Walter Wright was living with the family in Gravel Path and is described as a “journeyman baker.” The family also had living with them a general servant,  15 year old Sarah Bryant.  Arthur age 11 years, was at school, being described as a scholar.

Ten years later the family was still living in Gravel Path. Two further daughters had been born, Mabel in 1883 and Edith in 1883. Walter Wright was no longer living with the family, but both Arthur, now 21 and his brother Herbert, are described as “baker’s sons’’ and presumably were working with their father.

On the 21st June 1895, Arthur married Emily Emmett Tompkins. Emily’s father was a butcher and her family also lived in Berkhamsted.

At the time of the 1901 census, Arthur and Emily were living at 23 Chapel Street. Arthur was working as a baker.  Emily had given birth to a daughter, Phyllis who was then 1 year old.

In 1911 the family were still living at 23 Chapel Street. Arthur was still working as a baker. A further child had been born, Charles who was 4 years old. The census  return, however, discloses that a third child had been born and had subsequently died.

Having been born in 1870, Arthur was too old  for service during  the First World War.

The electoral roll for 1920 tells us that Arthur and Emily were then living at 87 High Street and that was the address at which Emily died in 1929. Arthur was then 59 years old and had retired from his work as a baker.

In 1939 Arthur, 69 years old, was still living at 87 High Street. He had a housekeeper living with him, Annie Raggett  (who was six years older than Arthur). Annie Raggett was present with Arthur when he died at home the following year on 24th January 1940. The cause of death was Myocardial degeneration and chronic bronchitis.

Emily Emmett Kingham

10/05/1875 –21/02/1929

Butcher's daughter, baker's wife, mother of three, died of acute bronchitis and cardiac dilation

Relatives

Arthur William Kingham — husband

Thomas Tompkins (d.1887) — son

• Christopher Dolton

EMILY KINGHAM; 1875-1929

Emily Emmett Kingham (nee Tompkins) was born in Berkhamsted in 1875 and was baptized on 13th June that year. Her family lived in Berkhamsted’s High Street and her father, Thomas Tompkins, was a butcher. Emily was the sixth of seven children born to Thomas and his wife, also called Emily. Thomas is recorded in the 1881 census as employing one man, this presumably being Job Sills who, age 21 years, was living with the family at the time of the census and who is described as a servant to the family as well as a butcher. Emily, then 5 years old was attending school, being described as a scholar.

By the time of the 1891 census Emily’s father, Thomas, must have died. Her mother, Emily, is noted as the head of the family and her occupation is given as butcher. She was presumably running the business following the death of her husband. Emily’s two older brothers, Thomas age 21 and Edward, 19, are both also described as butchers and must have been assisting in the running of the business. The family were still able to maintain a servant. Emily, then aged 15, has no profession or occupation noted against her name.

Eight years later on 21st June 1898 Emily married Arthur Kingham, a baker. The marriage was registered in Berkhamsted. In 1900 Emily gave birth to the couple’s first child, Phyllis. In 1907 she gave birth to a son, Charles. The 1911 census discloses the fact that Emily had, by 1911, given birth to three children, but only two of whom were living, Phyllis and Charles, the third having died.  Henrietta Tompkins Kingham was born on 4th October 1905.  She only lived for 18  hours, dying on 5th October 1905.

In 1901 Emily and  Arthur were living at 23 Chapel Street and they were still at that address in 1911.

The electoral roll for 1920 tells us that Arthur and Emily had moved from Chapel Street and were then living at 87 High Street and that was the address at which Emily died on 21st February 1929. She was 53 years old. The cause of her death recorded on her death certificate was acute bronchitis and cardiac dilation.