on 13 september 1887 pickingill's wife died at the age of 63 in canewdon; her death was attributed to a disease of the liver by the certifying doctor. she was buried at canewdon's st. nicholas church on 17 september. according to the 1891 census, pickingill was still employed as an agricultural labourer, and was living in canewdon with his married daughter marry ann and his granddaughter, emily wood. records show that he was living in a rented cottage with an adjacent garden, and that in july 1899 the owner sold the property at auction. by 1901 he was listed as living on parish relief, with his two sons back living with him.