William Ernest Newton was born in Bedford in 1874, and his unmarried mother was Elizabeth Newton. He was registered as Willie Ernest Newton.

His mother married Frederick Thomas Higgins on 15th January 1879 at St Mary's Church, Bedford.

Willie isn't with his family in 1881 as he is at the home of a Henry and Elizabeth Glenister who lived at 1 Pilcroft Street, Bedford, but no relationship is shown. Elizabeth Glenister is from Leicestershire, as was Willie's mother, so perhaps she took care of him whilst his mother worked as a servant. He was perhaps taken in as a boarder. His mother worked as a servant in the 1861 census in Leicester and in the 1871 census in Ravensden in Bedfordshire, and had married before the 1881 census. 

The family had moved to Rushden by 1889 when their daughter Elsie was buried in Grave A11 aged 8 months. Part of the stone commemorating her were found along the boundary fence of the Cemetery, and recorded:

... ... Loving memory of Elsie Grace beloved child of F & E Higgins died August 4th 1889 aged 8 months.

The 1891 census records him as William Higgins as do the 1901 and the 1911 censuses, so he took his step fathers name. He is a clicker aged 16 working in Rushden, and now has 5 siblings; Cyril 12, Edgar 9, Girty 7, Syble 3, and an infant brother under a month old.

William was married as William Ernest Newton at Irchester Church to Emma Archer on 14th May 1894. Emma was born at Stamford NTH. Their son Frederick was born in 1895, and they moved to Rushden the following year.

In 1901 they are living at 59 Duck Street, Rushden, and William is but now gives his birth place as Higham Ferrers, working as a clicker. They now have a daughter Lily, born 1896, son Albert born 1889, and infant son Edgar aged 3 months.

Lily was born 10^th Sept 1896, and was admitted on 1^st May 1903 at Alfred Street School. She left on the 3rd September 1909 aged 13.

Frederick William enrolled on 1^st May 1901 born 29^th May 1894, and came from Moor Road Infant School. He left on 28^th May 1909, for work.

c1914 The younger Newton Higgins children. Ethel, Rose, Willie & Edgar.

Rose Gertrude Newton Higgins

By 1911 Frederick has left home, Lily is 14, Arthur is 12, Edgar is 10, Rose G is 5 and Leonard Sydney is 3. Ethel M was born 1911, Willie born 1914, and Heather D in 1915.

Rose Gertrude was enrolled on 1^st May 1913 and transferred to the Mixed department on 7th Sep 1914 (aged 9) but the admissions book records "deceased 28^th Jan 1916."

The school admissions registers record that Albert left on 24^th April 1911, Edgar left on 8^th Dec 1913.

In 1921 the census shows William is a foreman clicker at Allenbone's shoe factory in Oakley Road. The eldest son still at home is now called Albert and is aged 23 and also a clicker at Allebone's. Leonard is now classed an invalid, and Willie and Heather are whole time scholars.

Also recorded in the school admissions is that Leonard Sydney died on 7^th Oct 1921 aged 13, Ethel May left on 11th Jan 1926 and Willie left on 22nd Dec 1927. [confirmation of Leonard's death has not been found]

William Ernest died in 1931 and Emma Newton Higgins died in 1937, and they are recorded in Grave E1359 at Rushden Cemetery.

In loving memory of William Ernest the beloved husband of Emma Newton HIGGINS who fell asleep 31st March 1931 aged 56 years. Also of Emma Newton HIGGINS who fell asleep 20th Oct 1937 aged 61 years. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away. Sadly missed. (vase) mother (vase) ---