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Bryan Sylvester, of the Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery, kindly contacted the Virtual Museum (May 2018) with the following information:

There is a large family vault in which Stephen Hemstead is buried. He died in 1882 and his obit written by Walter Money may be viewed here.

I don’t think he has anything to do with Hungerford himself. However, I did notice on your website several references to property owned by Rev. John Charles Townsend, Rector of Ickford, Bucks., passing to his widow Sarah, and then his daughter Anne (who was married to our Stephen).

The Rev’s widow and daughter Anne are both buried in the family vault in NRC and we also have Charlotte, the widow of Lt. Edward Hemsted referred to.

During our investigations we came across the items below which may be of interest to you.

Rev. John Charles Townsend
Article source: The Globe
Date of source: 4th January 1851
Copyright: © The Globe

Transcription: Rev. John Charles Townsend, of Newbury. Berks, attended morning prayers at St. Mary's chapel, Speenhamland. with his daughter. While kneeling in the pew by her side the unfortunate gentleman, who of advanced age*, fell and expired. [*He was 64!!!]

Sarah Townsend

Article source: Reading Mercury
Date of source: 29th October 1854
Copyright: © Reading Mercury

Transcription:

HUNGERFORD. BERKS.— Particulars FREEHOLD TENEMENTS, and advantageous SITES for Building, the High Street and Church Lane, Hungerford, Berks. —By direction of the surviving Devisee in Trust, with power of sale, under the will of the Rev. John Charles Townsend, deceased,

By Mr. ALEXANDER DAVIS, on Friday, the 3rd day November, at the Swan Hotel, Hungerford, at Three o'clock in the afternoon, under conditions which will then and there produced, in the following lots:—

Lot 1.— TWO TENEMENTS, adjoining each other, situate on the east side of the High-street, above the Town Hail, in the respective occupations George White, bricklayer, and George Smith, gardener, having a frontage on the street of 45 feet, with the yard and gardens behind the same, extending back to the lane on the east, a frontage thereon of 38.5 feet, the whole depth of the premises, from the High-street to the lane, being 385 feet, more less. Note.—To this Lot there are 2 Horse, or 4 Cow Commons attached ; it subject to an annual quit rent of eight-pence, payable to

Lot 2.—A PLOT or Piece of GROUND on the north side of Church-Lane, (being the site of four Tenements lately burnt down, and the gardens thereto.) having a frontage in Church lane of 67.5 feet, and extending back 151 feet, more or less.

The particulars may be had of Frederick Tubb, builder, Hungerford, who will show the lots; at the principal Inns in Hungerford; and of the Auctioneer, Land and Estate Agent, Market-place, Newbury.

THE LATE MRS TOWNSEND

By the removal by death of Mrs. Townsend, which took place at her residence, Bartholomew-street, on Sunday, the poor of Newbury and the neighbourhood have lost a friend and benefactress whose ear was ever open to a cry of distress or a tale of pity: and whose assistance as readily extended to relieve their necessities and afford the help that was needed. Her charity was continually being bestowed, and though at Christmas or periods of general suffering it was more amply and widely dispensed, it was never confined to times or seasons. Many will have occasion to recollect with grateful feelings the repeated acts of kindness extended towards them in poverty and affliction.

The funeral will take place, we believe, on Saturday next, at the Cemetery.
Newbury Weekly News

Died 10th May 1868

Relict of Rev. John Chas. Townsend

Anne Hemsted
Article source: Reading Mercury
Date of source: 5th August 1876
Copyright: © Reading Mercury

Transcription:

ANNE HEMSTED

HEMSTED.—On the 28th ult., at Newbury, Anne, wife of Stephen Hemsted, Esq., aged 70.