Life story shared by Kerry Potter, great- great granddaughter of Sarah and James
Sarah Jane Payne was born on November 14 1861, in Surrey. She married James Harrison (born in 1856) in October 1885 (England and Wales reg marriage index vol 2c page 767). They had 6 children, 5 daughters and one son:
- Harriet May 1886,
- Alice Maria May Dec 4 1890
- Sydney James 1896
- Dorothy Kate Elizabeth Nov 30 1898
- Elsie Victoria 1901 and
- Florence Amy circa 1903.
The family lived in Spring Gardens, Reading. Sarah died on October 16, 1928, and James on September 6, 1936. They are buried together at Reading old cemetery next to their daughter Alice and their son-in-law Harry. Alice actually had bought both plots. Sarah and James’s daughter, Florence died when she was only 11, but I can’t find her resting place, or if she even has a stone.
In the family photo below there is James and Sarah Jane in the middle, Harry back left, front left, I believe, is Sidney, James and Sarah’s son, and on the right front is Augustus their son in law and behind I believe is Frederick their son in law.
Harry was born in 1890 to William and Emily Pickering one of 6 siblings: 4 brothers and 2 sisters. They lived in Cumberland Road when Harry was 1. Harry and Alice were married in 1915, and Dec 6 1926. Their son Harold Sidney was born followed by daughter Doreen, on October 14 1922.
) her daughter Doreen, middle child with the fringe, and James and Sarah jane in the middle.Harry and Alice had a shop on Oxford Road, but I don’t exactly where, and my brother seems to think they had a newsagent’s at one point as well.
Sadly Harry died of heart failure on Easter Day, March 27, 1932.
)By 1939 Alice was living at Greenfields Road, Reading. She died on February 2 1960.
Their son remained in Reading, as did one of their granddaughters, one of their great granddaughters, one of their great great granddaughters and they currently have great great great granddaughters in Reading.
) and daughter DoreenOne of the stories I was told was when my grandad, Harold, was swimming in the river and someone threw a brick on his head from the bridge! I have his swimming certificate from 1926.
Section 24, Row A, Plot 10