Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Mary Ann Pocock

d.09/09/1936

Laundress, mother of three daughters who became a dressmaker, domestic servant and a coat assistant

Relatives

Charles Pocock — husband

• Kate Campbell

Mary Anne was born in January 1861 in Berkhamsted and baptised that month.  Her parents were Thomas and Sarah Anne Andrews.

By the age of 20 in 1881 she was living with her widowed 64 year-old grandmother Harriet Holloway, Harriet’s two daughters, son and son-in-law on the High Street and working as a Laundress.

Two years later she married Charles Pocock in Ruislip. They went on to have three children: Mildred born on 12th December 1885, Ethel Beatrice on 19th February 1889 and Gertrude Grace on 15th July 1891.

Prior to Gertrude’s birth they were living in Ruislip with Mary Anne’s parents, Thomas and Sarah Andrews.

Within a few years the family had moved out and were living in Berkhamsted, along with a relative of her husband’s Fred Pocock.

Throughout her life she worked as a laundress. Her three adult daughters were variously a dressmaker, coat assistant and a domestic.

Her husband died in 1918 leaving his goods to Mary Ann and their daughter Mildred. She lived on for a further 18 years, dying in September 1936.

Charles Pocock

d.05/04/1918

Engine fitter in Hull, widowed, returned to Berkhamsted, remarried had three children

Relatives

Mary Ann Pocock — wife

• Kate Campbell

Charles was born on 9th February 1846 in Berkhamsted and baptised on 8th March the same year. His father William Pocock was a Master Blacksmith and his mother was Sarah Pocock.

His birth was followed by a sister Eliza or Elizabeth on 12th August 1848; brother Frank on 23rd July 1850; sister Kate Pocock in December 1852 and brother Richard on 28th Jan 1855.

Before the coming of motor transport, the horse was the main motive power and each one needed shoeing on a regular basis.  The Pococks were one of the best-known families in Berkhamsted, and several generations were blacksmiths.

By the time his brother George was born in 1871, Charles was working as an Engine Fitter and living in Hull, Yorkshire with relatives George and Louisa Pocock and their children William and George.

On 29th August 1876 he married Clara Stimpson at St George’s Wolverton, Buckingham. (Clara had been born on 18th December 1846 to John and Elizabeth Stimpson).  The marriage appears to have been short-lived as by 1881, at the age of 35, he is described as a Widower.  He was living with his father and mother on Berkhamsted High Street above the Blacksmith Shop. His occupation was given as Engineer.   Also in the house were Eliza and Ada K Chapman.

On 3rd September 1883 he married for a second time, to Mary Anne Andrews in Ruislip. Occupation at the time given as Fitter.  They went on to have three children: Mildred born on 12th December 1885, Ethel Beatrice on 19th February 1889 and Gertrude Grace on 15th July 1891.  Prior to Gertrude’s birth the family were living in Ruislip with Mary Anne’s parents – Thomas and Sarah Andrews.

Within a few years the family had moved out and were now living on their own in Berkhamsted, along with a relative Fred Pocock.  His occupation was described as General Engineer, his daughter Mildred’s as Apprentice dressmaking worker.

Ten years later in 1911 he was still working as a Smith, his wife as a laundress and their three adult daughters (dressmaker, Coat assistant and domestic).

Charles died on 5th April 1918 at the West Hertfordshire Hospital Hemel Hempstead. He was living at 15 High Street, Berkhamsted at the time.  Probate was granted to Mary Ann Pocock, his widow and Mildred Pearce (his daughter and wife of George Pearce).  Effects £93 15s 5d.