Martha OAKES (1875-c. 1951)

Martha OAKES, daughter of Hezekiah OAKES (c. 1841-c. 1932) and Rebecca AVES (c. 1841-c. 1915), was born on 27 Jan 1875 in Diss, Norfolk.^1,2 She appeared in the census in 1881 at Chapel Street in Diss - 7, scholar, living with parents Hezekiah (40, brushmaker) and Rebecca (40), siblings Frederic (17, brushmaker), Sophia (14, scholar), Edith (12, scholar), Edward (10, scholar), Florence (9, scholar) and Maude (3, scholar), Edward Aves (1), and cousin George JEFFERIES (13, brushmaker).³ On 19 Dec 1884 there was a newspaper report in the Diss Express: DISS BOARD SCHOOLS - The annual presentation of prizes for good attendance took place on Wednesday morning, when the following members of the Board were present: F. Taylor , Esq. (chairman), Mrs. H. Bobby, Miss A. Aldrich, Mr. S. D. Bryant, and Mr. J. Studd. The scheme of offering prizes was introduced by the Board about eighteen months since, the condition that the children must make 420 or more attendances in the year to be entitled to a book, and 350 to claim an illuminated certificate. The cost ..... The prizes were then distributed by Mrs. Bobby and Miss Aldrich, in the following order to the girls (19 in number), who made 420 attendances and upwards and received books and certificates: Alice House, 448 (every attendance), Mary Green, 447, A. Peake, 446, Annie Chenery, 446, Edith Knights, 446, Martha Oakes, 442, ..... Martha appeared in the census in 1891 at Mount Street in Diss - 16, dressmaker, living with parents Hezekiah (50, brushfinisher) and Rebecca (50), and sisters Maude (13, stay maker) and Ethel Mary (9, scholar).⁴ She appeared in the census in 1901 at Mount Street in Diss - 26, dressmaker, living with parents Hezekiah (60, brushmaker) and Rebecca (60), sister Ethel (19, corset maker), and nieces Beatrice (6) and Dorothy (4).⁵ She was recorded on the 1939 Register living at 40 Sunnyside in Diss. - unpaid domestic duties, b. 27.01.1875.¹ Martha died c. 1951 - reg: Depwade Norfolk.⁶