Alice Sophia Dones, née Hall (1863-1931) was born at Wickhamford in 1863, the fifth of six children of Thomas Hall, an agricultural labourer, and his wife, Elizabeth (née Houghton). She was baptised in the Church of St John the Baptist, Wickhamford, on 26th July 1863. Alice was living with her family in Wickhamford at the time of the 1871 census. By 1881 they were living in South Littleton, by the end of the year back in Wickhamford and by 1886 they had moved to Badsey.
In early 1886, Alice gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, Amy Elizabeth, who was baptised in St James’ Church, Badsey, on 13th March 1886. Two years later, Alice married Thomas William Dones (known as William) at Badsey on 28th July 1888. A son, John Thomas (1889-1970), was born at Badsey in February 1889.
Later in 1889, William, following in the wake of many other families, went to try out a new life in America. The following year, Alice and her two children joined him. On 30th April 1890, Alice set sail from Liverpool bound for New York with three-year-old Amy and John who was simply described as an infant.
They seem to have gone firstly to Auburn, Geauga County, Ohio, where a number of Badsey families were already living. In America, two more children were born: Clayton George (1891-1971) and Margaret A (1893-1968). According to Clayton’s Draft Registration card in 1942, he was born at Auburn. By 1900 they were living at Troy, Geauga County, Ohio. Alice remained there for the rest of her life. Her youngest two children, Clayton and Margaret, were still at home in Troy in 1910. By 1920, Alice and William had their eldest two, Amy and John, back home and in 1930, just John.
Alice died at Troy on 5th September 1931 and was buried at Shadyside Cemetery, Auburn Township.