Matthew Povey 1830 - 1915

Matthew Povey was born in 1830, the youngest of nine children born to Richard and Asenath in Chieveley in Berkshire. He was baptized on 30th March of that year. The 1841 census records him living with his parents and two brothers, his father was an agricultural labourer. In 1851 he is not recorded as being at home, but it is not obvious where he was at the time of the census.

His brother, Richard married Jane Cooper in 1847 and their first two children were born before Richard died in December 1853. With Jane expecting her third child it would seem that Matthew may have been sent to Brighton to help his brother widow through a difficult period in her life. They were married in the first quarter of 1859. The Post Office Directory for that year shows that Matthew Povey is running a Greengrocers at 51, George Street in Brighton. This would indicate that his  arrival had made a difference to Jane and her children.

Matthew appears in the 1861 electoral roll.

Jane's son Edwin died in 1871 and Richard the following year.

Matthew retired from his Greengrocery business during 1884. This was the last year that the greengrocer's business was recorded in Pages Directory of Brighton.  His step daughter, Emma married John Goodridge in October 1885.

The census for 1891 records that he and Jane were living on their own means. In 1901 he is shown as a furniture sale porter, he undertook this role at one of Brighton's Auction Houses. He was remembered by his grandson, John Povey Goodridge as having a keen eye for value as he occasional bid for undervalued lots on his own account. His home, 51, George Street had three boarders recorded as resident in the house.

In 1904 the Brighton Rate Book indicates that Matthew was a tenant with the landlord being the executors of Like(?)man.

His wife Jane died in 1910.

In 1911 his niece, Elizabeth Povey was living with him. He died 27th July 1915. 

He was John P. Goodridge's maternal step-grandfather, but John called him grandad.

Matthew's will dated 23rd January 1913 shows he was pretty wealthy, owning 22, 23, 51 and 52 George St, 4 Warwick St, 29 Park St, 41 and 42 Lewes St, and 24 Mighell St. Nine houses in total. He left bequests to his niece, Elizabeth, his step-daughter Emma, and his grandson John Povey Goodridge. John was granted probate on 13th September that year with the effects valued at £2421 4s 5d.

The Povey's at 51 George Street

By 1858 Jane and her three children were living at the property and Jane is recorded as proprietor of the greengrocers business.

The Post Office directory for Sussex published in 1859 records Matthew as proprietor.

Matthew remained the named resident in the street directories until 1919.

Elizabeth Povey became the owner occupier after Mathew's death until 1940 when she passed away.

Elizabeth left the property to her niece, Annie Lewendon. Annie ran a newsagents shop from 1929 to 1958 when she moved to Reading/.

In August 1908 Mr and Mrs Povey gave wedding presents to Florence Shiverill and John Suckling.