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Girls in the Home 1891

The Girls in the Home in the 1891 Census

Emma Cossey, Head, Single, 41, Matron, born Ipswich, Suffolk

Louisa Brace, Servant, Single, 28, Laundry maid, born Goldington, Beds

Maud Burton, Servant, Single, 18, laundry maid, born Bethnal Green, London

Alice Sherringham, inmate, 15, training for service, born Bishopsgate, London

Alice Sherringham was put forward for consideration by the Committee for admission by Mrs Billing of Spitalfields Rectory on 11 Sep 1888. Aged 14. Her parents had been respectable, keeping a small shop, but the father had lost this through drink, the mother also drank, they were very anxious that something should be done for the daughter to keep her from their misery. Mrs Billing undertook that the usual payment would be made.

The 1871 Census shows her parents were William & Rebecca Sherringham , living with their 6 children at 2 & 3 North Street, Spitalfields. William was a fruit salesman.

26 Aug 1889 Matron was to write to her father as Alice upset by not hearing from him.

It was decided 25 Feb 1890 that payment for her should cease as she now held the position of under laundrymaid. In 10 March 1891 she was doing very well in the Laundry and would soon be paid a salary. On 7 April 1891 it was reported that Alice wanted to go into service but she couldn’t be spared from the laundry, and was to be paid £5 per year. However, by 29 Dec 1891 she was considered to be a bad influence over the other girls, and the Committee thought she should go to a place as a housemaid as soon as possible. 9 Feb 1892 to be kitchenmaid with Mrs Dillon of Wootton House.

8 March 1892 the Committee noted that she was doing very well. On 22 March 1892 Alice wrote to the Committee asking for her bank book as her father had written to say he was ill & very poor. Miss Cossey the Matron reported she had sent 2/8 which was owing to Alice but not the Bank Book, and advised Alice not to begin sending money as there was a brother at home and if he was willing to work he could keep the father.

In 1901 Alice was a domestic servant, living by herself in Hoxton Square, Shoreditch.

Kate Mills, inmate, 15, training for service, born Newport Pagnell, Bucks

Kate was 12 years old on 6 Sept 1888, her case was brought before the committee 11 Sep 1888 by Miss Footman. Her mother had died in April and the father was about to marry again. They were thoroughly respectable people but the girl had no chance of getting into service without some training, and from having to stay at home to keep house had become her own mistress and was too much running about the streets. The mother had expressed a great wish that she should be taken into a home, and now the father, who had regular work, promised to pay for her. Their home address was 25 Derby Street, Bedford.

Kate was admitted on 25 January 1889. She had appeared before the committee on 22 January 1889 where her father promised to pay for her. On 26 Aug 1889 she had been disciplined for idleness. On 27 November 1889 it was reported that she had run home one afternoon but had been brought back at once by her father. She said she had heard her elder brother had been causing her father trouble so had gone home to see how he was. Once again on 14 October 1890 the Matron reported her as being idle. On 13 October 1891 she was sent to the cottage home at Woburn Sands as she was unwell. By 9 February 1892 she was to receive £5 wages for her laundry work. Kate maintained contact with her family and on 5 April 1892 was given leave to go to tea with her Aunt on Good Friday. On 22 November 1892 Kate asked for leave to visit her grandfather in Newport Pagnell on Christmas Day which was granted. The same year on 27 December her wages in laundry raised to £6.10.0. In 11 April 1893 it was decided to keep her on in the laundry, but by 13 June 1893 it was reported that she was sullen and troublesome and the Committee undertook to try and find her a place elsewhere as a laundry maid. They found a place for her by 25 July 1893, she was to go to Lady Harding of Fowlers Park for £12 a year if she did well.

By 12 Oct 1897 had been obliged to leave her situation owing to ill health (anaemia) and it was suggested that se go as an outpatient to the infirmary for a time and then if possible to a convalescent home.

Clara Smith, inmate, 14, training for service, born Shefford, Beds

Clara was 11 in September 1888, and lived at Gravel Lane, Bedford. She was admitted in August 1889.

On 25 Augist 1891 she was sent to Woburn Sands for a holiday as she had been working hard in the laundry and was looking ‘faffed & poorly’. She was allowed to keep her own wages from 10 May 1892.On 24 May 1892 the Matron reported that she had a very miserable letter from Clara’s mother Mrs Heathfield, and wondered if Clara might send her 6d of the money she had earned. On 12 September 1892 she had been reprimanded for being careless with kitchen & housework, but at the following Committee meeting of 27 September 1892 it was pointed out that she was so much needed in the laundry it left her little time to do other duties. On 10 January 1893 wages were to be £5 per year. The following year on 23 Jan her 1894 wages were raised to £8. It was noted that she was to take confirmation classes. On 27 August 1895she went for a holiday to an aunt in Shefford for a week.

On27 July 1896 Clara was still a paid hand in the laundry and wanted to let the Committee know she wanted to leave by 26 Aug 1896. She was very grateful for all the kindness shown to her and had been very happy in the Home. Mrs Burton Alexander undertook to find her a place as underlaundress. She was 20, considered to be a splendid laundress and worked well. Wages to begin at £18. They found her a place by 11 August 1896, she was to be second laundry maid at Mrs Hanbury’s in Hertfordshire. In 25 Jan 1898 she had written to the head of laundry Mrs Flanders saying she wanted to leave her position and would like to return but she could not give notice whilst the family was away.

Emma Willsher, inmate, 15, training for service, born Kempston, Beds

Emma was from Kempston, and admitted to the Training Home in November 1889. Miss Marr of Kempston undertook to ensure payment was made for her. Emma was unwell, and sent to Bedford infirmary. On 8 April 1890 Miss Marr reported that Emma’s father was drinking again, and that he and the woman in charge of his house were threatening to take Emma out of the Infirmary to have her home. She was released from the Infirmary on 22 July 1890 ‘the doctors thought life could not be prolonged for more than two years’ and it was decided she was to be sent to an ‘Incurable’ Hospital, but by 14 October1890 they decided she was not to be sent to the Free Cancer Hospital, Brompton but to be boarded out if possible. No boarding out transpired so she was on 28 October 1890 sent to the Endowed Cancer Hospital in Middlesex. By 25 November 1890 she was considered well enough to return to the Home, and they decided to send her to the Cottage Home at Woburn Sands on 26th June 1891.

On 8th March 1892 to go to Miss Firth in Ashburnham Road as soon as she could be spared from the Home at Woburn Sands. On 22 March 1892 Emma was sent to General Firths as underservant where from 26th July 1892 it was decided she should remain. On 12 Sep 1892 the Committee were concerned to hear she only went to Church on Sunday and to Bible Class. In 11 April 1893 they considered her for a place as under nurse with Mrs Farmer of Blunham Rectory, and after meeting her on 25th April 1893 she was engaged for £7 per year. On 23rd May 1893 a happy letter was read to the Committee from Emma, and Mrs Farmer had called at the home to say how well she was doing. On 24 Oct 1893 she was again reported to be doing very well at Blunham. However, on 13 February 1894 Emma was reported as ill again with pleurisy. By 27 February 1894 she was much better but going to a brother to rest. 11 September 1894 she was reported as leaving Mrs Farmers because she wanted to be a kitchen maid.

Alice [Sarah] Cousins, inmate, 14, training for service, born Hitchin, Herts

Recorded incorrectly as Alice in the Census. Sarah Cousins, aged 14, from Hitchin. Mrs Seebohm applied for her admission 8 Jan 1889 and was told she would be admitted when there was a vacancy. Sarah was 14 in Aug 1890 and admitted on 8 April 1890. Mrs Seebohm of Hitchin to provide the usual payment. Her mother asked that Alice be allowed to see a married sister living in Pilcroft Street. 12 May 1891 she was thought too young to be sent out to service. On 8 Dec 1891 she was again coinsidered unready for service as had not been doing satisfactorily in her training. On 10th May 1892 she was taken away from the Home by her parents who had found her a position in Hitchin.

Eva Medlock, inmate, 14, training for service, born Watford, Herts

Eva was 12 year old in November 1889, and was from London. Admission applied for on 28 April 1890 by Mrs Kirby. Eva was an orphan, being brought up by her aunt Mrs Young, but as her aunt had to live in the City of London she wanted the niece brought up in better surroundings. Eva was admitted on 13 May 1890. She left the home briefly on 28 April 1891 to be employed by Mrs Peacock at her home for a few months. On 14 July 1891 Mrs Kirby & her daughter Mrs Peacock asked the Committee to give leave to Eva Medlock to return to British Columbia with Mrs Peacock as a nursemaid. Her wages were to be to be £5 – 6 the first year and £8 – 9 the second, and rise annually. Her passage to be paid out & Eva was bound for 3 – 4 years. Mrs Young, Eva’s aunt, who had brought her up, had been to see Mrs Peacock & talk the matter over, and had given her consent, subject to the approval of the Committee. The Committee accepted the offer with thanks. On 13 Oct 1891 Mrs Kirby explained to the rest of the Committee that when Eva left for British Columbia she paid her the wages that were due for the time Eva had been in her daughters service, instead of paying them to the Home as had been arranged when Eva was engaged. Mrs Kirby said that as the girl was going abroad and had no money at all of her own, and had behaved so very well, it seemed only right that the original agreement should be kept, Mrs Kirby was quite happy to repay the 30/-. On 29 Dec 1891 a letter was received from Mrs Peacock giving an excellent account of Eva.

On 9 May 1893 Eva was sent by Mrs Peacock to work in a kindergarten as nursemaid where she was to receive £24 per year. On 10 Oct 1893 a letter from Eva was read to the Committee saying she had returned to Mrs Peacock and would send a dollar a month to the Home to support another girl there as she was expecting a rise in her wages and was to get 9 dollars a month next year. On 10 July 1894 Eva again wrote from Canada saying she wanted to send a dollar a month, but was presently out of a place.

Mary J Allen, inmate, 13, training for service, born Bedford

Mary was living at Boswell Court, Bedford, and was considered by the Committee for admission on 11 February 1890 as her mother was dying, the father being dead some time, and the surroundings of the girl being very bad. On 27th May she was again considered, as her mother ill. Mrs Hart Smith promised to pay for her and stated the urgency of the case. The Committee agreed she was to be admitted as soon as there was a vacancy, and she was admitted July 1890. She was brought to the Home by her Aunt Mrs Day on 8th July 1890. The following year on 7 April 1891 it was agreed that Mary was to be prepared for baptism, along with her elder sister. She was baptised at St Peter’s Church on 21 June 1891.On 8 September 1891 Mary was taken to Woburn Sands for a little change and as a reward for good conduct and improvement in cooking. She stated that she wished to be confirmed 9 February 1892 and was allowed from then on to take classes. She was sent on 5 April 1892 to Mrs Hemsley during the holidays. Allowed to keep her own wages from 10 May 1892 as Mrs Hemsley stated she was very pleased with her and considered that she reflected great credit on her training; she was most obliging and did her work very well. On 12 July 1892 it was suggested that she should go to a permanent situation at Scarborough in a Doctor’s family, if her outfit could be ready by the middle of August. However 12 September 1892 Mary instead went to Mrs Hemsley as her under housemaid. 11 September 1894 she was to go to a place in Goldington Road. Later records note she had been ill for some months, but was now better and in service at Aspley Guise.

Susannah Bell, inmate, 14, training for service, born Bedford

Susannah was resident at Bedford workhouse, and was considered for admission on 22 July 1890. She had been admitted to the Workhouse Hospital suffering from starvation. Her mother was dead and her father a great drunkard who took no care of his child & neglected to support her. She was admitted 1 September 1890. Reprimanded for bad behaviour 13 Jan 1891. Her health improved, 27 January 1891 reported as getting stronger & better. However by 10 March 1891 her ear was getting bad again but reported as being rather cleaner. She was sent on 9 June 1891 to the Cottage Home at Woburn Sands. On 8 September 1891 the Woburn Sands Matron reported she had run away and from telling lies had got her railway fare paid to Bedford. Mrs Stuart having been communicated with at once telegraphed for Susan to be stopped and sent back by the next train. She was brought back to the Bedford Home as a punishment and given one more chance of doing better. Despite this, on 29 December 1891 her habits were considered so filthy that she should be removed from the Home but they were concerned she would run wild if they let her go home. On 12 January 1892 the Guardians of the Poor of Bedford reported to the Committee that the case of Susan Bell was well known, and Mr Peer, the Inspector, hoped to be able to prosecute the father for neglect of three girls under 11. The children are not starved, but their father beats them, swears at them and is often drinking. Only one neighbour, a woman of bad character, will go into the house to do anything for them and it is not fit to go in. Susan was to be kept at the Training Home until the Guardians could help further. Removed to workhouse 26 January 1892.

Ada Brown, inmate, 12, training for service, born Boston, Lincs

Ada was aged 13 years on 25 June 1890, and came from Boston in Lincolnshire. She was considered for admission by the Committee on 14 October 1890. Her mother had been imprisoned for neglect of her children, and the surroundings of the girl were bad. She was swiftly admitted, on 31 October 1890. The following year on 13 October 1891 she was considered for a place with General Firth of Ashburnham Road, but instead on 23 February 1892 left the Home to work for Miss James in De Parys Avenue. Lucy James was the 24 year old daughter of a widower John C James, living at 53 De Parys Avenue, she was the eldest of 8 children. On 25 July 1893 it was reported that Ada was going to Boston for her holiday and the Committee hoped to prevent her from associating with her old bad companions there. She returned, and on 24 October 1893 needed spectacles for reading, working and dusting. By 13 March 1894 she had been in service as helping girl with Miss James of De Parys Avenue for two years and Miss James thought she was ready to take a place as under housemaid.

The 1901 Census records her as a Domestic Servant to Mr William Berry, a Sheffield brewer.

Eliza Farmer, inmate, 13, training for service, born Ampthill, Beds

Eliza was aged 12 years on 1 June 1890, and from Ampthill. She was considered for admission by the committee on 11 November 1890. She had no mother, only a father & brother, and was so much neglected that Miss Gibb had taken her into her own house until other arrangements could be made. She was admitted to the training Home 23 Dec 1890. On 25 October 1892 Eliza was reported as troublesome. Soon afterwards on 28 February 1893 she had run away because she had been scolded for doing something badly, going along the Ampthill Road. She was brought back by the laundry maid Louisa Brace. On 8th August 1893 Eliza was sent to the Woburn Sands Home to help Mrs Irons the Matron, who was struggling with the workload there. However, on 12 December 1893 it was noted that she seemed to be dissatisfied at the Woburn Sands Home and the Committee decided she was ready to go out into service. On 2 January 1894 Eliza was suffering from eczema, and was cured by 23 January 1894. On 13 February 1894 she was again reported as stubborn and troublesome. They found a place for her and on 12 June 1894 she went to Mrs Cook at Goldington Vicarage for a trial at £6 wages. 11 Sep 1894 reported as being overworked at Mrs Cooks. The Committee arranged another place for her, on 25 September1894 she left Goldington to work for Mrs Footman as a kitchen help. This place didn’t last long and a few weeks later on 9 October 1894 Eliza had gone to her Grandmother. She had returned to the Training Home by 23 October 1894 whilst trying to find another place and was making herself useful. She was still there on 8 January 1895 and was going to be confirmed. She remained at the Home but on 14 August 1895 Eliza had upset the whole house again with her bad temper and her example was considered very bad for all the other girls. Miss Green felt it would not be right to let her remain during the period the temporary Matron Mrs Dennis was in charge in September. Eliza’s elder sister who was working in the mills in Halifax had been writing to invite Eliza to go and live with her. The Committee pointed out to Eliza that though her sister said she would pay her fare to Halifax and have her to live with her when she married, she was herself now out of work and homeless, so it was absurd for Eliza to think of going there, her father was chiefly living on her brothers wages so he could not support her. Eliza was given a week to think over what had been said and told that she must leave in a fortnight, but if she would make up her mind to do better in service they would do their best to hear of a place for her, if not she must be sent back to Ampthill to her father. It was agreed that if Eliza should determine to go to Halifax and the railway fare was sent she must go. The address given by her sister was Agnes Farmer, 194 Booth Town Road, Halifax. On 27 August 1895 Eliza was sent to Ampthill. Later it was reported that she was in service at Luton was doing very well and she had written very gratefully of the kindness and training she had received in the Home.

By 25 April 1899 Eliza had was noted as married to a widower with children.

Florence Stokes, inmate, 12, training for service, born Sheffield, Yorks

The 1881 Census shows her living with her parents Daniel & Hannah Stokes in Pothouse Lane, Sheffield. Her father was a Blacksmith, and both her parents were from Bedford.

Florence was 15 years old on 4 November 1890, and living at All Hallows Lane, Bedford. She was considered for admission by the Committee on 14 October 1890, and admitted in March 1891. On 24 November 1891 Florence was sent to Woburn Sands Cottage Home, considered very backward for her age. On 26 Jan 1892 Mrs Stokes said she wished her daughter to leave the Home at the end of the year of her training, in March 1892. On 5 April 1892 Florence went to stay with Mrs Taylor over Easter Holidays. By 24 May 1892 her first month at Mrs Adam Taylors was up and her mother Mrs Stokes had written saying Florence was quite old enough to be independent of the Home. By 12 September 1892 Florence was engaged by Mr Swift, of Lansdowne Road, Bedford. Her mother Mrs Stokes had not behaved well, attempting to get the outfit given, and intending to send Florence away to service in Leicester.

Blanche Benson, inmate, 15, training for service, born Bedford

Blanche was 11 years old in March 1887, and lived at 26 Kensington Gardens Terrace, London She first applied to the Training Home on 15 September 1887. Her mother was working as a servant in London applied for her admission on 12 April 1887 as Blanche was living with an aunt in Bedford but her mother wanted her to have better training. The Committee heard on 26 April that her husband was a bad man and the Committee said she could be admitted in 12 months time as she was only 11. On 27 March 1888 it was decided she could be admitted immediately. Mrs Benson came to meet the committee and Blanche was admitted on 15 September 1888.

On 8 September 1891 Blanche went to Mrs Couchman’s service temporarily to replace Emily Welch who was ill in hospital. On 27 October 1891 she was sent as kitchen maid to Mrs Macdona of 49 Shakespeare Road for £6 per year.

8 March 1892 had run away from her kitchen maid post at Mrs Macdona’s. She went to London to her mother who brought her back again. On 13 June 1893 Blanche was reported as having gone to live with an aunt in St Leonards Street, Bedford. 25 July 1893 seen by Miss Cossey and asked her to find her a situation away from Bedford.