Friends of Hastings Cemetery
AH E01
In loving remembrance of
Caroline Amelia
the beloved wife of
George Alfred Leighton
Who died 7th December 1881
aged 43 years
'My rest is in heaven.'
Also of
George Alfred Leighton,
who peacefully passed away 17th July 1906
in his 70th year.
-
'My race is run,
My work I've done,
My ambition I did gain,
Now perfect rest without pain.
George Henry Leighton.
Died 16th February 1911.
Aged 48 years.
[on separate cross]
In ever loving memory of our dear
Mother
Jane Abbott Leighton
also
Wife of George Alfred Leighton
Who died Jan 1st 1912.
'Until we meet again.'
George Alfred Leighton was born in London in about 1838, he was a clothier or tailor. He married Caroline Amelia Crocker. When the 1861 census was held, George and Caroline had only recently married and were living in Gay Street in Bristol. George was employed as a clothier's cutter.
Their first child, Helen M. Leighton ("Ellen"), was born at Bristol in 1861. After this, they moved to Abergavenny, where their second child, George Henry Leighton, was born on January 5, 1863 at their home in Castle Street. When Caroline registered the birth she described her husband as a tailor.
The Leightons then moved again, this time to Swansea, where they stayed for at least four years. Their second son, Thomas Alfred Leighton, was born on December 9, 1866 at their home at 224 High Street, Swansea. Caroline, who once again registered the birth, stated that her husband was a "clothier". She had two more children at Swansea: Charles James Leighton in 1868 and Caroline Amelia Leighton ("Amelia") in 1870. The 1871 census gives the family's address as Victoria Place in Elliot Street.
The 1881 census records that George Leighton had moved from Wales with his family and was running the Railway Inn in St Leonards. Thomas Alfred and Charles James Leighton were attending a boarding school in Church Road, Hastings. George Henry Leighton had left school and become a tailor in Hastings, but was still living with his parents.
In 1881 Caroline died.
Railway Inn, Kings Road, St Leonards
1890/George Leighton/../../../Post Office Directory
In the 1891 census George Alfred Leighton is registered at 29 Western Road, St Leonards, (it appears to refer to the Railway Hotel, which is on three roads) an Innkeeper, and his wife is Jenny A (either a mistake on the part of the recorder, or a pet name as the elder children match those of his marriage to Caroline) At this date George and Jane (born in Swansea) had two more children, Eliza, aged 4, and Georgina aged 2.
1901/George A Leighton/Licensed Victualler/63/Lambeth, London/Census
1901/Jane A Leighton/Wife/48/Swansea/Census
1901/Helen M Leighton/Daughter, Barmaid/39/Bristol/Census
1901/Caroline A Leighton/Daughter, Barmaid/31/Swansea/Census
1901/Eliza J Leighton/Daughter/15/St Leonards, Sussex/Census
1901/Georgine M Leighton/Daughter/12/St Leonards, Sussex/Census
Hastings and St Leonards Observer -
DEATH OF MR. G. A. LEIGHTON.—The death is announced of Mr. George Alfred Leighton, who passed away on Tuesday, aged 69. Mr. Leighton, who had suffered from cancer for some time, had held the licence of the Railway Hotel for 30 years, but owing to his ill-
Deceased leaves a widow, four daughters, and three sons to mourn his loss. The funeral, the arrangements of which were carried out by Mr. Spencer, of the Old Town, took place cn Friday at the Borough Cemetery.