Rebecca Newman
(1804-1826)

Rebecca Newman (later Rebecca Seymore) was the youngest of the six children of Philip Newman and his second wife Elizabeth Whitehead of Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, England.

When Rebecca was no more than just 5 years old, her father was killed by the workings of a windmill whilst working as a miller and baker at Haddenham. It is unclear as to what became of her mother.

On 1st November 1819, Rebecca is noted in an Examination, under oath to a Justice of the Peace, that she is 21 years old, and pregnant with an illegitimate child. She does not reveal the father's name, but instead can be seen to be requesting residency and support from the parish of Haddenham.

The document, notes that she rented a cottage and garden in Haddenham from a John Robinson, at a rent rate of £10 and 10 shillings.

Rebecca gave birth to her illegitimate child - a son - which the baptism register notes as having been fathered by an Elias Dann of Wilburton. Two years later Rebecca married John Seymore of Haddenham.

John and Rebecca went on to have two children together, whilst Elias Dann went on to marry and have his own legitimate family nearby.

At the baptisms of Rebecca and John's two children, the couple are noted as being of Aldreth, which is a tiny hamlet (just 260 residents in 2001) near Haddenham, and would explain why the baptism took place at Haddenham parish church.

Sadly, in June 1826, not long after the birth of their second daughter, Rebecca died. Church records note her as being just 26 years old.

About a fortnight later, the second daughter, also Rebecca, is buried. She was just 9 weeks old.

Life Events

Born

• During 1804 at Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Baptised

• 28th May 1804 at Holy Trinity Church, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Married

• John Seymore (18??-?) on 31st December 1822 at Holy Trinity Church, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Children

• Charles Newman (1820-1906) married Emma Levitt (1825-1893)
• Sarah Seymore (1823-?)
• Rebecca Seymore (1826)

Census and Residence

• 1818: 21yrs, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Death

• June 1826 at Aldreth, Cambridgeshire, England, aged 26 years.

Burial

• 18th June 1826 at Holy Trinity Church, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, England.