Life story retold by Kim Reynolds with additional info from resources shared
William was one of the founders, presidents and then for 23 years the secretary of the Reading and District Butchers’ Association.
He married Kate Herman at Trinity Congregational Church on 1 May 1899 (Reading Mercury, 6 May 1899). He was a master butcher in 1911, and they had at least 8 children, of whom seven (5 daughters, 2 sons) were still living in that year. They lived at 117 London Street in 1911.
Kate died 10 December 1917 at 117 London Street, Reading, leaving effects worth £1502 12s 3d (see also Reading Mercury, 15 Dec 1917). William is described as ‘purveyor’ on the probate record. William died on 8 July 1930. At at that time he was living at 4 Christchurch Road, and left effects valued at £21,197 2s 7d. There was clearly money in being a butcher! He has an obituary in the Meat Trades’ Journal and Cattle Salesman’s Gazetteer, 17 July 1930.
There is more information about the Longhursts in the newspaper article headed ‘Picture Plea over Butcher’s Shop’ in the Reading Evening Post 4 May 1999, and a full obituary in the Reading Standard 19 July 1930.
Sources
- England and Wales Censuses, 1841-1911
- 1939 England and Wales Register
- Birth, Marriage and Death Civil Registration Indexes
- Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records
- Newspapers: Reading Mercury, Meat Trades’ Journal and Cattle Salesman’s Gazetteer, Reading Observer, Reading Standard, Reading Evening Post, Westminster Gazette, Pall Mall Gazette
Buried in Section 27, Row A, Number 11