Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Mary Ann Spencer

1837 –07/03/1910

Wife of Joseph Rance and latterly of George Spencer

Relatives

Joseph Rance — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Plot x220 Mary Ann Spencer (nee Pitkin, late Rance). (1837-1910)

Mary Ann was born in 1837 in Great Gaddesden and was baptised in October that year. Her parents were Jonathan and Eliza (née King) Pitkin. Her father was an agricultural labourer and, like many children of labouring families in the area, she started making straw plait for the Luton and Dunstable hat industry at an early age.

Mary Ann married Joseph Rance, a labourer, 13 November 1858 in St Peter’s, Berkhamsted.

Charlotte was born in 1859 and in 1861 the family were living with Joseph’s mother and two brothers in Ellesmere Road. He was employed as a timber carter.

Rachel was born in 1865. In February 1866 Joseph was put on trial at the Assizes, accused of larceny, but fortunately found not guilty.

In 1869 Joseph jnr. was born and sadly died soon afterwards. He is buried in this cemetery. Annie was born in 1870, but later that year they lost five year old Rachel.

In 1871 the family lived at Highfield Road. Joseph was still a timber carter and Mary Ann was a straw plaiter. Alice was born in 1872.

By 1874 Joseph was a beer seller operating in the High Street.

Rose was born in 1875, but sadly little Alice died the same year, aged just three. Robert was born in 1877 and Louise in 1878, but she died in 1879.

Joseph died 13 November 1879 aged 43, leaving under £300. (Under £32,000 in 2024).

The 1881 census records Mary Ann living in Charles Street. She is described as “House keeper” but it is not clear whether she is simply keeping house in her own home or as a live-out housekeeper for someone else. Living with her were Annie, Rose and Albert and her married daughter Charlotte and her husband Henry Walker, a joiner, 

Mary Ann married George Spencer, who was 21 years her junior, in Berkhamsted in 1885.

In September 1888 The Herts Advertiser carried an advertisement for an auction to be held at the King’s Arms. For sale in Kitsbury Road was “Perseverance Cottages” plus “Three modern erected and very commodious Dwelling Houses…Also a DWELLLING HOUSE and commanding corner SHOP, adjoining the above, in the occupation of Mr George Spencer (who holds an out-door beer licence in connection with the premises.)”

George continued to occupy the shop at 53, Charles Street, but he died 31 March 1891, aged only 33, and is buried in this cemetery. On 9 April that year the census records that Mary Ann had taken over the “out-door beer licence” (ie an off licence) and was running a grocery at53, Charles Street. Living with her were Rose and Robert. This is the corner shop which until recently still was a newsagents on the corner of the two roads.

In 1901 Mary Ann was living at 53, Charles Street with son Robert, a carpenter. She was still running a grocery and off licence.

Mary Ann died 7 March 1910 aged 72 at 53, Charles Street and is buried here with Joseph, her first husband.

Joseph Rance

16/10/1836 –13/11/1879

Labourer, timber carter and beer seller

Relatives

Mary Ann Spencer — wife

James Rance — brother

Jabez Rance — brother

Joseph Rance — son

• Melanie Hilton

Plot x220 Joseph Rance (1836-1879)

Joseph was born 16 October 1836 to Robert, a carter, and Rebecca Rance. He was baptised 29 July 1838 in St Peter’s. Joseph had a twin, Robert, and they were the sixth and seventh of what was to be a family of eleven.

In 1841 the family lived in Frithsden. In 1850 Joseph’s twin brother Robert died and in 1854 his father died.

Joseph became a labourer and on 13 November 1858 he married Mary Ann Pitkin in St Peter’s. Charlotte was born in 1859.

In 1861 Joseph, Mary Ann and Charlotte were living with his mother and brothers Jabez and James in Ellesmere Road. He was employed as a timber carter.

Rachel was born in 1865. In February 1866 Joseph found himself on trial at the Assizes, accused of larceny. He was found not guilty. In 1869 his son Joseph was born and sadly died soon afterwards. He is buried in this cemetery. Annie was born in 1870, but later that year he and Mary Ann lost five year old Rachel.

In 1871 the family lived at Highfield Road. He was still a timber carter and Mary Ann was a straw plaiter. Alice was born in 1872.

By 1874 Joseph was a beer seller operating in the High Street.

Rose was born in 1875, but sadly little Alice died the same year, aged just three. Robert was born in 1877 and Louise in 1878, but she did not live to be a year old and died in 1879.

Joseph died 13 November 1879 aged 43, leaving under £300. (Under £32,000 in 2024).

Mary Ann married George Spencer in Berkhamsted in 1885. He died in 1891. Mary Ann died 7 March 1910 aged 72. She is buried here with Joseph.

His brother Jabez and James are buried in this cemetery.