Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

James Preston(578)

1862 –22/10/1931

A chemical worker

Relatives

Jane Preston — wife

Frederick Preston (631) — brother

Ernest Joseph Preston — brother

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 578 James Preston (1862-1931)

James was born in 1862 to Henry and Emily Preston and was baptised in St Peter’s 20 July 1862.

In 1871 the family were living in Castle Street and James, aged 9, was straw plaiter like his mother.

He became a general labourer and married Jane Rance 2 February 1880 in the Chapel of Ease, Northchurch.

In 1881 they were living in the High Street. Jane worked at home as a straw plaiter producing plait for the Luton and Dunstable hat industry, a common employment for the women and children of labouring families.

Charles (Charlie) was born in 1885 followed by Louisa Victoria in 1887. Sadly, she died in February 1889. Lawrence (known as Harry) was born in 1891.

In 1891 they family was living at 71, Ellesmere Road where they remained until at least 1921. James was a chemical labourer, probably working for Cooper’s, and his younger brother Arthur, a farm labourer, was living with them.

Daisy was born in 1893 followed by Albert William (Bertie) (1896), Leonard James (1898) and Beatrice Florence (1901).

In January 1903 son Charlie joined the Navy and served until 1909 when he was invalided out.

1911 Charlie, Bertie, Leonard and Beatrice were still at home and James’s widowed father-in-law John was living with them as well as his brother Ernest– a tight squeeze in five rooms including the kitchen.

By 1911 son Lawrence had joined the Army. In January 1915 Charlie rejoined the Navy and in August 1916 son Leonard enlisted in the Army. It must have been a desperately anxious time for the family, especially as James’s brother Joseph was killed in September 1918. Fortunately all three sons were discharged safe and well in 1919.

In 1921 the family was still at 71. James had retired and Lawrence, Bertie and Leonard were living at home. Also in the household were daughter Daisy, her husband Ernest Sennitt and young son and James’s unmarried brother Ernest.

In 1926 son Bertie died just four years after his marriage.

James died 22 October 1931 aged 69 West Herts hospital of 20, Kitsbury Road. Jane survived him until 1939 as is buried with him here.

His brother Frederick is buried in plot 631.

Jane Preston

21/05/1862 –01/01/1939

A straw plaiter and wife of labourer James Preston

Relatives

James Preston(578) — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 578 Jane Preston (née Rance) (1862-1939)

Jane was born 21 May 1862 in Northchurch to John and Charlotte Rance. Her father was a labourer.

In 1871 the family lived at Bank Mill, Bourne End, Northchurch. Her father was a nursery labourer, probably employed by Lane’s Nurseries. Jane, her younger sister and her mother were straw plaiters, her eleven year old brother was a bird scarer.

She married labourer James Preston in 1880 in Berkhamsted and in 1881 they were living in the High Street. Jane worked at home as a straw plaiter producing plait for the Luton and Dunstable hat industry, a common employment for the women and children of labouring families.

Charles (Charlie) was born in 1885 followed by Louisa Victoria in 1887. Sadly, she died in February 1889.  Lawrence (known as Harry) was born in 1891.

In 1891 the family was living at 71, Ellesmere Road where they remained until at least 1921. James was a chemical labourer, probably working for Cooper’s, and his younger brother Arthur, a farm labourer, was living with them.

Daisy was born in 1893 followed by Albert William (Bertie) (1896), Leonard James (1898) and Beatrice Florence (1901).

In January 1903 son Charlie joined the Navy and served until 1909 when he was invalided out.

In 1911 Charlie, Bertie, Leonard and Beatrice were still at home and Jane’s widowed father John was living with them, as well as her brother-in-law Ernest– a tight squeeze in five rooms including the kitchen.

By 1911 son Lawrence had joined the Army. In January 1915 Charlie rejoined the Navy and in August 1916 son Leonard enlisted in the Army. It must have been a desperately anxious time for the family, especially as James’s brother Joseph was killed in September 1918. Fortunately all three sons were discharged safe and well in 1919.

In 1921 the family was still at 71. James had retired and Lawrence, Bertie and Leonard were living at home. Also in the household were daughter Daisy, her husband Ernest Sennitt and young son and James’s unmarried brother Ernest.

In 1926 son Bertie died just four years after his marriage.

James died 22 October 1931 aged 69 in West Herts hospital. Their address by then was 20, Kitsbury Road.

Jane died 1 January 1939 at 20 Kitsbury Road aged 75.