Arborfield
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 Families: The Streak family

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Funeral of Elizabeth Streak

Funeral of Ellen Streak

The Cottage Garden Show, 1939

The Three Villages Show, 1931

Lot 16 in Newlands Estate Auction

 

 


William Streak was a shepherd, born in Woodcote, Oxfordshire. He married Ellen and lived in Swallowfield before moving to Arborfield by 1876 when daughter Amy was born. In 1881 they were living in 'Pudding Lane, The Only Cottage', which has long since disappeared. They were in Chamberlain's Farm in 1891 and 1901, and the family remained as tenants of the Newland Estate for many years, though Ellen out-lived her husband by nearly three decades.

However, the Streak surname in its various forms can be traced back far further. In 1617, James Strike was buried at Arborfield; also in 1617, Thomas Streeke married Christian Howse at Arborfield, and in 1619, Katherine Streke was baptised there. Nearly two centuries later, Ann Streek was baptised in 1773, the daughter of Joseph and Ann. She appears to have been a bit wayward, because her own daughters Hannah (baptised 1796),  Maria (baptised 1800) and Hester (baptised 1804) were described as 'base-born' or 'love-child'.  Both Maria and Hester were married at Arborfield, to Thomas Lane (1818) and Henry Burrott (1824).

Cottages on School Road, Lot 16 in the 1947 Newlands Estate AuctionBy 1947, when the terrace at the end of School Road was put up for sale, the Newlands Auction document mentioned two of William and Ellen's sons:

'One is let to Mr. A. Streak on a weekly tenancy at 4/- per week inclusive', while 'one is let for life to Mr. W. Streak rent-free'.

William Streak managed to grow a lot of produce in his garden, regularly appearing as a prize-winner in the Cottage Garden Shows, though brother Alick (or Alec) wasn't as competitive.

Another brother, James, lived at Duck's Nest Cottages, before moving to Hillcrest.

In 1944, Elizabeth and Ellen Streak had died just months apart, and their funerals from the 'Reading Mercury' reveal their connections in the village:

April 15th: Arborfield: Death of Mrs. Streak:

The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Kate Streak, aged 64, of School Road, Arborfield, took place at the Emergency Hospital. The funeral took place on Saturday at Arborfield Church, the Rector officiating. Mourners were:

The husband,
Mrs. Froud (sister),
Mrs. Cripps (sister),
Miss L. Day (sister),
Mr. and Mrs. W. Streak (sister and brother-in-law),
Miss M. Day (sister),
Mr. and Mrs. J. Day (brother and sister-in-law),
Mr. A. Day (brother),
Mrs. T. Bennett (sister-in-law),
Mr. and Mrs. Carter (nephew and sister),
Mrs. Carter,
Miss Carroll (adopted daughters),
Mrs. Armstrong (niece),
Miss Southey (niece),
Mrs. E. Chambers
and members of the M.U., Mrs. J. H. Simonds and Mrs. Lawrence.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Charles Walker, of Finchampstead Road, Wokingham.

September 2nd: Arborfield: Death of Mrs. E. Streak:

Mrs. Ellen Streak, an old inhabitant of Arborfield, passed away on August 25th, aged 95. The funeral took place on Tuesday at Arborfield Church, Canon Anderson officiating. The mourners were:

William (son),
Alec (son) and wife,
Mr. and Mrs. Goodger (son-in-law and daughter),
Mrs. Cook and Mrs. Southey (grand-daughters).
Among others in the church were Mr. and Mrs. Simonds, members of the Mothers’ Union, Miss Lunn, Mrs. Froud, Miss L. Day, Miss M. Day and Mr. Chambers.

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