Henry Organ (1837-1909)

Henry was baptised in St Marys church, Wotton under Edge. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth (nee Sutton). In the same household was Henry’s great grandfather, Abraham and his elder brother George. Charles and Abraham (at the age of 70!) were both agricultural labourers.

The family were living in the Howley area of the parish, but are not mentioned on the Tithe Terrier of 1847, so I don’t know precisely where.

In 1851 and ’61 the family, including Henry’s younger siblings, were still in Howley.

Henry married Mary Ann Jackson in 1864, in Bristol and, in the next Census he was employed as a gardener, living on Adeys Lane, Wotton under Edge. Before their marriage, she had been also living in Howley.

The couple were living with a lodger at the time of the next Census, and, in ’91 and ’01, Henry was a jobbing gardener and the couple were living in The Row, on Combe road, Wotton.

Henry died in 1909, aged 72, and was buried in St Mary’s churchyard.

Mary Ann died at the astonishing age of 101, and was buried in the same place.

Western Daily Press 10/1/1940

Mrs Mary Ann Organ, whose funeral took place at Wotton under Edge yesterday, was the only centerarian for many miles around. Had she lived until January 25 she would have been 102.

Death came unexpectedly, for Mrs Organ, though keeping to her bed, had appeared to be her usual cheery self and interested in all that was going on. She retained her faculties to a marked degree, and was proud of her unique position in the district.

Mr Organ, a gardener, died some 30 years ago, for the past 20 years Mrs Organ has resided with her niece, Mrs Albert Reynolds, at the Apple Tree Inn, Wotton under Edge.