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b.1871-d.1918
George’s parents
George Richard Read was born in the March quarter of 1871, ref. Wandsworth 1d 596. The Wandsworth Registration District covered Battersea..
His parents were Richard and Dorothy née Musgrove. On 30 June 1870 Richard Read, aged 22, living at 14 Porson Street Battersea, married Dorothy Musgrove, aged 19, at St. George the Martyr church in Battersea.
On 12 March 1871 George Richard Read was baptised at St. George’s church in Battersea. His parents were Richard, a fireman, and Dorothy. They lived at 9 Porson Street Battersea. Richard was probably a stoker working on a steam train.
The 1880s – George marries
In the Census of 1881, at 6 Burrows Buildings, Linford Street in Battersea, present were Richard Read, head of the household, age 33, an engine driver, born Derby, Fanny (sic) age 30, his wife, also born Derby, and their children George, 10, Frederick, 7, Elizabeth, 6, Nelly, 3, and Ernest, 6 months. All were born in Battersea.
On 21 July 1889 George married Annie Webber at St. Andrew’s church Battersea. George was an engineer living at 49 Mundella Road Battersea. Both were aged 19. George’s father Richard was an engine driver.
The 1890s – the death of George’s father
In the Census of 1891, present at 61 Mundella Road Battersea were George Read, age 20, a fitter’s apprentice, Annie, his wife, age 20,and their children, Walter, 1 year old, and Nelly, 1 month old. All were born in Battersea apart from Annie who was born in Chelsea.
At 49 Mundella Road were living Richard and Dorothy Read and their children Frederick W. age 18, Elizabeth Ann, age 16, Henry Robert, age 12, and Earnest Isaac, age 10.
Richard Read died in 1892 and was buried in Norwood cemetery on 28 April 1892.
The 1900s – the death of George’s mother
In the 1901 Census at 9 Boddy’s Buildings Southwark present were, George Read, 30, head, a steam engine fitter, Annie his wife, 30, and their children Walter, 11, Nelly, 10, Annie, 8 and George, 5. All were born in Battersea apart from Annie who was born in Chelsea.
Richard’s mother Dorothy died in the December quarter of 1904, ref. Lambeth 1d 215.
George’s mental health problems
The Lunatic Register for the Lambeth Poor Law Board of Guardians recorded that on 13 March 1906 George R. Read as discharged from the Infirmary to Cane Hill Hospital Coulsdon.
On 13 March 1906 Geo. Richd. Read was admitted to Cane Hill Hospital. He was discharged on 19 April 1906 marked “recovered”.
On 13 May 1910 Geo. Rich. Read was admitted to Long Grove Asylum and was released on 30 August 1912 as” recovered”.
The 1911 Census
He appeared in the 1911 Census in Long Grove Asylum as, GRR patient, age 40, married, an engine fitter, born Battersea, lunatic.
Also In the 1911 Census, at 57 Portslade Road Battersea were Annie Read, age 40, head, Married, a charwoman, born Chelsea. She had eight children born alive, four of whom were still living. Also present were her children, Annie A., age 18 a calender hand, and George R., age 16 a van boy. (A calender hand was a general term for women or girls employed in ironing flat articles such as sheets, towels and tablecloths in a laundry by passing them through the rollers of a machine known as a calender.) Both children were born in Battersea.
George’s children marry
George Richard Read, age 18, married Elizabeth Snoster (mis-transcribed as Suster), age18, in All Saints church South Lambeth on 12 November 1913. Both were living in Brookland Street Lambeth. George’s father George Richard Read, a fitter, signed as a witness.
On 12 April 1914 Annie Amelia Read, age 21, married Henry Robert Scott Douglas, 24, both of 43 Archbishop Place, Brixton, in Holy Trinity Church Tulse Hill SW2. Annie’s father was George R. Read, an engine fitter.
George dies in Long Grove
George was admitted to Long Grove sometime after 1913. He died in Long Grove in 1918 aged 47. He was buried in Horton Cemetery on 18 July 1918.
