Alfred Webster was the first child of Charles Webster & Caroline Bourn christened January 16th, 1846 at St Margaret's, Uxbridge.
In 1851 Alfred was at home at High St, Uxbridge with his parents, older half-brother Wentworth & younger sister Fanny.
In 1861 Alfred was still living at home at Warren Farm, Hillingdon & was described as farmer’s son.
Alfred married Mary Morten Turner on April 21st, 1870 at St Jude’s Church Southsea. Mary was the eldest daughter of Mary & Henry Turner born Oct-December 1845 at Portsea, Hants.
By 1871 Alfred, now a farmer, & his wife Mary M were living at Manor Farm, Cowley, Middlesex. They had a domestic servant, Elizabeth Pedder.
Alfred could not be found in the 1881 census but his wife Mary was visiting her parents, Henry, an undertaker, & Mary Turner at Portsea & her brother Frederick, an auctioneer, & sister Emily. With Mary was her 1 year old daughter Beatrice.
By 1891 Alfred & Mary were living at Barnham Court, Barnham, Chichester, Sussex where Alfred was a farmer. They still had only 1 child, Beatrice. They had a housemaid & a cook.
By 1901 Alfred had retired & he & Mary were living at Saville House, Billingshurst, Sussex, with 1 servant. Daughter Beatrice had married Arthur Clarence Puttock in July-September 1898 & at the time of the 1901 census they were also living in Billingshurst, at Hatters Farm where Arthur was a farmer. They had a 1 year old son Eric Clarence.
Alfred & Mary were still at Saville House, Station Rd, Billingshurst in 1911 & Alfred was again described as a retired farmer. They had 2 servants to look after their 9 roomed house. Daughter Beatrice & husband Arthur were living at Oakdene, Billingshurst & Arthur was now a wood hoop merchant. They had 3 children only 2 of whom were with the parents – Gladys Mary (8) & Arthur Geoffrey (1). Their son Eric Clarence Puttock was a pupil at Grosmont School.
Mary died in Oct-December 1916, aged 71, at Billingshurst, Sussex.
Alfred died October 21st, 1933, aged 87, at Billingshurst, Sussex. Probate was granted on November 25th, 1933 to daughter Beatrice Mary. His effects were £1286.14s.2d.
An obituary in the West Sussex Gazette of October 26th, 1933 states that Alfred had come to live at Billingshurst after his retirement from farming. He had taken a keen interest in local affairs and served as librarian at the working mens club & scorer for the cricket club. He was an authority on botany & had published ‘ Rambles of a Sussex Botanist’. He had a collection of no fewer than 3000 wild flowers, some of which were procured for the Natural History Museum. Collectors from many parts would often seek the benefit of his wide experience.
The children of Alfred Webster & Mary Morten Turner were:
we.2.7.1 Beatrice Mary Webster born December 17th, 1879 at Rickmansworth, Herts; died April-June 1958 at Wandsworth, London