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| St Mary, Little Easton, Essex cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/339750 |
George Prior (bap. 24 Dec 1820 in Great Dunmow), son of William Prior and Sarah Shed, married Mary Hockley, daughter of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton, on 31 Oct 1845.
George and Mary had five children:
- William Prior b. 1848 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 74, bap. 5 May 1848 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
- Sarah Prior b. 1849 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 75, bap. 18 Dec 1849 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
- Emma Prior b. 1851 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 91, bap. 23 Feb 1851 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
- George Prior b. 1853 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 273, bap. 10 Nov 1853 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
- Edith Prior b. 1856 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 299, bap. 27 Jul 1857 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton. Died aged 1, in 1858 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 262 and buried on 17 Mar 1858 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
On Edith's baptism, her father's occupation is listed as Gardener.
In 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891, the family lived in Park Road, Little Easton. They look to have lived at the same address for almost 50 years, which is rare and suggests also that George had steady employment from one employer, rather than moving from farm to farm yearly as many did.
In 1861, George Prior (40) Garden labourer, Mary Prior (36), William Prior (13) Farm work; Sarah Prior (11), Emma Prior (10) and George Prior (7).
In 1871, George Prior (50) Gardener, Mary Prior (45) and just George Prior (17) Coal Porter left at home.
In 1881, just George Prior (60) Garden labourer and Mary Prior (58).
In 1891, George Prior (69) Garden labourer with Mary Prior (65).
George Prior died, aged 72, and was buried on 28 Mar 1893 at Little Easton.
In 1901, Mary Prior (79) Widow, was living at the Alms Houses, Little Easton.
There had been Almshouses, near the church-yard, built by Lord Maynard, in about 1716, for the residence of four poor widows to be appointed by his heirs. The current Grade II listed former almshouses, were built in 1895. The date and a 'W' are placed centrally. The 'W' perhaps stands for Warwick, as apparently Frances, the Countess of Warwick, had them built. By 1902 they were accommodating six old people - one of whom was Mary Prior. Perhaps George Prior had worked for the Countess in the gardens of Easton Lodge.
Mary Prior died, aged 85 and was buried, on 28 May 1907, at Little Easton.
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| Former Almshouses, Church Row, Little Easton cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robin Webster - geograph.org.uk/p/4985490 |