A headstone in the parish churchyard at Swallowfield, Berkshire contains memorial inscriptions for four people: ‘Sacred to the memory of Thomas Yeo who died July 10th 1862 aged 54 years. Also Louisa wife of the above who died Feby 24th 1872 aged 68 years. Also Luke Watts son of the above who died Novr 16th 1871 aged 24 years. Also Thomas, son of William & Mary Charlotte Yeo who died June 4 1877, aged 2 years & eleven months’.
Luke Watts Yeo had been born in 1846 to parents Thomas Yeo and Louisa Redgrove but – like that of his sister Ann six years earlier – his birth had not been registered.
The 1851 census for Swallowfield records most of Luke’s family: Thomas Yeo (age 43, birthplace Swallowfield) is a cordwainer and publican; his wife Louisa Yeo is 43 and was born at Basingstoke. Their children, all born at Swallowfield, are Louisa Ellen Yeo (age 16). William Yeo (13), Thomas Yeo (11), Ann Esther Yeo (10) and Luke Watts Yeo (4). Thomas’s father Thomas Yeo (a widower aged 70, occupation cordwainer, birthplace Lyneham) is also listed with them. Luke’s 8-year-old sister Elizabeth Mary Yeo is not listed – perhaps this was an oversight or she is recorded elsewhere.
If you can add to or correct the information shown, please use the Contact Us page.