Life story retold by Cynthia and Steve Thomas
Edward Webb was born in Newport, Isle of Wight in 1799. He was the son of a cordwainer also called Edward Webb. Edward Junior became a tailor and moved to the mainland where he married Amy Dibben in Chichester on 18th February 1825. Some time later he moved to Reading where he set up a tailor’s shop at no.17 Cross Street. Trade directories show that he was there in 1837 and the business was still running at the same address in 1874 when his son John Webb took over. The rear portion of the Lloyds Bank building now occupies the land that was no.17 Cross Street.
Amy died in 1872 (77 years) and Edward on 23rd December 1874 (74 years). They are buried together in Reading Old Cemetery in division 15, grave no 1616.
Their gravestone is unusual in two respects.
Firstly, it is double-sided with the grave and memorial to their daughter Maria and her husband James Spencer on the opposite side of the stone.
Secondly, at the very foot of the stone, is a memorial to Edward’s father, Edward Webb senior who died at the Cross Street address on 1st Feb 1854. You have to pull away the grass at the foot of the stone to find the additional wording. This also shows that at least some of the letters on
the stone once were painted red. Perhaps Edward senior is also in this grave.
Touching the stone is Cynthia Thomas, 3 x great granddaughter of Edward and Amy and 4 x great granddaughter of Edward Webb senior.
Buried in Section 15, Row N, Number 15