Henry son of Robert Taplin of this parish, labourer, and Mary (baptismal record)
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In 1871 Henry Taplin, aged 19, born in Collingbourne was working as a groom for Robert Butler, farmer, in Collingbourne Kingston. Henry's future wife, Sarah Reddick, then aged (28), was working working as a domestic servant for the said Robert Butler, farmer.
In 1881 Henry Taplin, aged 30, born in Collingbourne Wilts, labourer, and wife Sarah, aged 31, born in Bullington Hants, were living at 16 Stanley St., St. Mary Berkshire. Present were children (born in Reading Berks): Frank (1), Frederick H. (3 mo). Visiting was [Henry's niece] Eliza J. Burrow* (11) of Burbage Wilts.
* Eliza Jane was the daughter of Henry's eldest sister Elizabeth.
In 1891 Henry Taplin, aged 38, born in Collinbourne Wilts, machinist, and wife Sarah, aged 39, born in Bullingdon Hants, were living at 16 Stanley St., St. Mary Berkshire. Present were children (born in Reading Berks): Frank (11), scholar, Frederic H. (10), and two lodgers.
In 1901 Henry Taplin, aged 49, born in Collingbourne Kingston, metal planer, and [2nd] wife Jane, aged 50, born in Lane End Buckinghamshire, were living at 3 Eaton Place, St. Mary Berkshire. Present were children (born in Reading Berks): Frank (21), metal turner, Frederick H. (20), metal fitter, Winnifred E. (14), apprentice to dressmaker, nephew Leonard C. Blackwell (10) of Reading.
In 1911 Henry Taplin, aged 59, born in Collingbourne Kingston,metal planer for railway works, and wife of 17 years Jane, aged 58, born in High Wycombe Bucks, were living at 125 Oxford Road, Reading Berkshire.
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CARETAKERS' UNIQUE RECORD.
What must surely be a record has been made by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Taplin, who recently retired from the post of caretakers to Oxford Road Wesleyan Church, Reading. They took up their duties when the old iron church was built in 1883, and when this was replaced by the present buildings they transferred to the new premises the care which they had lavished on the old. For over half a century this devoted couple have been at their posts, week in, week out, giving of their very best in work, thought and affection. For no one who knew them at all well could doubt that for them the care of "their church" was not merely a duty, but a labour of love. Few, even of the most regular worshippers, ever guessed what they and the church authorities owed to the hard work and kindly helpfulness of these oldest members. Now that advanced years have forced them to leave the work to younger hands they are living close by in Eaton Place, where they can still be within easy reach of the church they have loved so well and served so loyally.
It had been arranged to make a public presentation to them, but unfortunately the illness of Mr. Taplin made this impossible. A cheque, subscribed to by members of the congregation, was therefore presented to them in their home by the minister, Rev. Ivor T. Kempster, together with a letter from the trustees expressing appreciation of their long and faithful service.
The Reading Standard, Saturday, 12 Dec 1931, p. 20
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Henry Taplin died aged 80 years (burial record).
Henry Taplin of 3 Eaton-place Oxford-road Reading died 27 February 1932. Probate London 23 May to Jane Taplin, widow. Effects £987 8s. 1d. Resworn £1180 13s. 11d. 4
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