William Couchman (buried 1887)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Couchman
First name: 
William
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Male
Burial number: 
130
Born: 
0/0/1826
Died: 
31/03/1887
Buried: 
04/04/1887
Occupation: 
Cook; Servant; Hotel Keeper; Baker;
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
William Couchman (buried 1887) headstone
Cemetery area: 
NWS
Cemetery row: 
9
Cemetery plot: 
5
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/plays.flag.estate
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of William Couchman who died March 31st 1887 aged 62 years "The memory of the just is blessed" Prov. XC 7v. Also of Ann Elizabeth widow of the above who died Aug 16th 1890 aged 76 years "Blessed are the departed"
Grave location map

Life story

Life story

William was born in Chipstead, Kent, the son of William and Harriet. He was baptised at Chevening on 10th July 1831. His father was a gamekeeper at Chipstead Park and the family lived in the lodge gatehouse. William moved to London as a young man and worked as a cook. In later census records, he was described as "deaf". On 25th January 1848, William married Hannah (Ann) Elizabeth Barnard at St Paul's Church, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge. His new wife was much older than him. By 1861, the couple were running the Hart Hotel in Ash, Surrey. They then moved to Worthing, living and working in Montague Place. In 1874, William and Elizabeth (the name she preferred to use) were living at 2 Western Place. By 1881 however, the couple were back in Surrey. This was only a temporary move as by 1887, they were living at 23 Graham Road, Worthing. William died here on 31st March 1887. Probate was granted to Ann Elizabeth Couchman widow. Effects £43 3s. Elizabeth died in Worthing three years later.

Burial researcher: 
Carol Sullivan

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/00/1826
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Hannah Elizabeth
Spouse one last name: 
Barnard
Marriage one date: 
25/01/1848
Marriage one address: 
Knightsbridge, London, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
31/03/1887
Age (at time of death): 
62
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
23 Graham Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Ann Elizabeth Couchman status: Widow
Probate pounds: 
£43

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1841 census: 

Unable to trace. William was not living with his family. The census does not give town of origin.

1851 census: 

Delce Lane, Rochester, Kent William aged 25, servant, staying in the house of his brother-in-law William Barnard, a cow keeper. Elizabeth is not listed

1861 census: 

Hart Hotel, Ash, Surrey William aged 33, hotel keeper. Elizabeth aged 49. Louisa Barnard aged 25, dressmaker. Plus 3 servants and 2 lodgers. William is described as 'deaf'

1871 census: 

10 Montage Place, Worthing. William aged 40, cook. Elizabeth aged 55, housekeeper. Both working in the house of Frances Dalton, widow who let furnished houses.

1881 census: 

Bakers Shop, Park Road, Frimley, Surrey William aged 55, cook and baker. Elizabeth aged 67. Plus an errand boy. William is again described as deaf.