Elizabeth Brown was born in 1855 and was baptised on 19 August 1855 in Piddington, Northamptonshire. Her parents were Thomas Brown, a shoemaker, and his wife Elizabeth nee Westley who were both born there. She married Joseph Morris in Piddington on Christmas Day 1872 when she was just 17. They initially lived in Piddington before moving to Golden End, Knowle in 1876. By 1889 they had moved to Stoneleigh with Joseph now employed as a shepherd. The 1891 Census shows them living at No. 3 The Hill, with five sons and a daughter. During the next 10 years the whole family moved to 8 Coventry Road in Stoneleigh. In 1902 Joseph took over running the Cooperative Stores from Amos Assinder, the previous manager.
Elizabeth and Joseph's large family continued to play a significant role in Stoneleigh life, though their son Walter was killed during WW1 in Salonika. On Christmas Day 1932 the couple received a telegram from the King and Queen on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding. They had lived in Stareton for the previous ten years. After her husband died in May 1939 Elizabeth only survived for a few more months, dying aged 84 in Stareton on 31 July.
Joseph Morris was born in Piddington, Northamptonshire on 8 April 1852 and was baptised there on 30 May 1852. His parents were Henry Morris, a gardener labourer and his wife Catherine nee Manning. He was one of 12 children and had 3 sisters and 8 brothers. On Christmas Day 1872 at the age of 20 he married Elizabeth Brown in Piddington. They had a son Thomas and a daughter Emily while living in Piddington, before moving to Knowle in 1876. The 1881 Census shows them living in Golden End, Knowle with four children. He was an agricultural labourer and Elizabeth was a lace maker. By 1891 they had moved again, this time to No. 3 The Hill Stoneleigh. The family had grown and there were now 5 sons and a daughter living with them. Joseph was now employed as a shepherd. He continued in this role but by 1901 they had moved to 8 Coventry Road with the 6 children still living with them. His son George had been widowed and he and his brother Walter were living at home, both working at a motor factory. Walter was later to lose his life during WW1. Albert and Frances were also living with their parents.
Joseph managed the Co-Operative Stores in Stoneleigh from 1902. By 1923 the family had moved to Stareton and on Christmas Day 1932 Joseph and Elizabeth received a telegram from the King and Queen on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding. Joseph passed away at the age of 87 in Stareton on 23 May 1939. He had played a significant role in village life in Stoneleigh and his family were to continue to do so.