Martha Cox (nee Smith) (8 April 1845 - Mar 1931) ROBERT AND LUCY SMITH'S CHILD

Martha Smith was born on 8 April 1845 to Robert Smith and Lucy Smith (nee Dore) at Burghfield (pronounced Berf-field), Berkshire, England. At the time Robert is a labourer.

1851 - Aged 5 - Living with her father Robert, mother Lucy (aged 31) and brothers George (aged 10) and Henry (aged 8). They are living next door to the Dore's.

1861 - Aged 15 - Where is she? Possible named Esther and listed as living at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London as a House Servant to the Clayder's. Mr Clayder is a Beadle of the Hope (a church officer of the Hospital) and Mrs Clayder was born in Burghfield.

On 2 July 1864, Martha married John Cox at St. Mary's Church, Burghfield, Berkshire, England. John's occupation is listed as a labourer and his father is listed as Barnard Cox. Both Robert and Barnard as listed as labourers.  Witnesses to the marriage are Henry Smith (Martha's brother) and Elizabeth Cox.

They had 8 children:

Walter born Caversham, Oxfordshire in 1865
Elizabeth born Reading in 1869
Kate Eliza Cox born Reading in 1873
Charles Henry Cox born Reading in 1877
William John Cox  born Reading in 1879
Caroline Cox born Reading in 1881
George Cox born Reading in 1881
Florence (Florrie) Cox born Reading 1888

1871 - Martha is living at 2 Chatman Court, St. Mary's, Greyfriars, Reading, Berkshire with husband John (a Coalminer Labourer), Walter born Caversham, Oxfordshire (aged 6) and Elizabeth born Reading (aged 2).

1881 - Martha is living at 2 Chatman Court, St. Mary's, Greyfriars, Reading, Berkshire with husband John (a Labourer), Elizabeth born Reading (aged 12), Kate born Reading (aged 7), Charles born Reading (aged 4), William born Reading (aged 2)

1891 - Martha is living at 2 Chatman Court, St. Mary's, Greyfriars, Reading, Berkshire with husband John (a Layer Ink?), Elizabeth (aged 22), Charles (14), William (12), Caroline (9), George (9), Flora (3)

Martha's husband John died in October 1896. At the time he was listed as a Gauger on the Railways.

1901 - Martha is living at 78 Chatman Court, St. Mary's, Greyfriars, Reading, Berkshire with Charles H Cox (24), William J Cox (22), George (19) and Florrie (13) 

1911 - Martha is living at 16 Charles Street, Reading with her daughter Caroline who is now married to John Hawkins (Tin Factory Labourer).  Also, her grandchildren John (aged 11) and Thomas (aged 6) and her other daughter Florence (aged 23). She is widowed.

Martha dies on 20 March 1931 at 344 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire, England.  She is 85 years old.  Her residence at the time is listed as 61 Francis Street, Reading.

She dies of Myocardial Degeneration, Arteriosclerosis and Chronic Bronchitis.

Her son William John Cox is the informant of the death.  At the time he is living at 83 Grovelands Road, Reading.