Update of the Past NEWS........... 8th June 1889

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS.............
 

*William Carnelly –

William was seriously injured when he fell from faulty scaffolding in last week’s NEWS. 

William and his little family were living at Chapel Hollow in Belper.  He was a bricklayer and stonemason and at the time of the incident had one daughter named Mary who would have been around 6 months old at the time.

William was born in Unstone near Chesterfield in 1853, the son of William and Mary.  His father William was also a stonemason and his elder brother John.  In 1871 aged 17 years William is recorded on the census as being a stonemason.  He was most likely apprenticed to his father to learn his trade.  The family are still living at Unstone.

The next years brought change for the Carnelly family when the William Snr died aged 61 years old in 1878.  The 1881 census shows that the family have now moved residence to Belper.  William is the eldest child living with his widowed mother Mary.    William married local girl Elizabeth Slater in 1881 at Belper.  Their daughter Mary was born in 1889 followed by William in 1890. 

What became of William after his accident on the scaffolding?

A year after in 1891 William and Elizabeth are living at St Johns Road, Belper.  He is documented as being a bricklayer aged 37 years old.  From the census return there is no indication as to any on-going health issue to hinder William.  Aged 57 years old William his still working as a bricklayer in 1911 the family have moved home again and are now living on the High Street in Belper.  Mary Elizabeth has fled the nest but son William is aged 20 years old and works as a coalminer.

William died in 1938 at the grand age of 84 years old. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ X ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

*Samuel Carlin –

 

Samuel Carlin was also a stonemason working on the Belper Workhouse when the scaffolding collapsed. 

 

He was born c.1858 in Bulwell and lived there at the time of the incident.  Samuel married Fanny Marlow in 1883.  A couple of years after the incident in 1891 the couple have a large brood of children; Martha aged 13 years, Fanny aged 11 years, Esther aged 5 years, Nellie aged 4 years, Mary aged 1 year and baby Job only 3 months old. 

 

The accident must again have caused great concern for Samuel and Fanny at a time when there were many mouths to feed in that household.  In the 1891 census they are living at 55 Barry Street, Bulwell.  In 1901 they have moved to 77 Latham Street, Bulwell and all of the children are still living at home, including two extra members; Annie aged 20 years and Alfred aged 9 years. 

 

Samuel died in 1917 aged 59 years old.

 

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Echoes of our Past NEWS.......19th March 1892

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was in the local news this weekend in 1892?

MAIN NEWS –

*St Patrick’s Day celebrations –

The Irish men and women of Chesterfield and the surrounding area all flocked into the town centre to celebrate their National Saint Day.  Those living out of the town arrived accompanied by brass bands playing.

Flags and banners were carried and the town was awash with an array of green ribbon and shamrocks proudly on display by all loyal Irish folk.  A large congregation attended High Mass at St Mary’s Church.  Afterwards a procession was formed through the streets of Chesterfield; at its helm was a “handsome banner”.

The celebrations followed on into the evening when a social gathering was held at the St Mary’s School entertained by Mr W Mountney's band.

OTHER ITEMS –

*Chesterfield Union Workhouse –

The fortnightly meeting was held and the following was discussed –

v  Purchase of extra land in order to make improvement’s at the workhouse.  A loan had been agreed by the Local Government to enable the purchase to go ahead, the letter of approval was read out.  The money could be either paid back in annual or half yearly instalments.  A man named Mr Jones was concerned that the current inhabitants of Chesterfield would be paying this debt, whereas in fact the improvements would actually benefit those of the future generations.  Was this fair? After deliberation by the board it was agreed that the money should be borrowed over the usual 30 years.

v  Applications had been received for the position of relieving officer at the Chesterfield Workhouse, which was currently a vacant position.  It was agreed that there would be a further meeting to discuss the applications further.

*Rent arrears –

Joseph Hardy a collier from Beighton was accused of owing rent to Edward Ward of the sum of £1.  Instead, however of paying the rent he removed goods from the property and left without warning.  The goods were said to have been valued around £5 and so Joseph was charged with "fraudulently removing goods to evade distress”.

In his defence Joseph stated that he had given the £1 rent to a lady who had called to the property and that he thought the matter was at a conclusion.  There were no witnesses to confirm that Joseph removed any goods from the property.

The Bench decided that Joseph had attempted to defraud Edward Ward and he was fined £2 and costs.

*School girl theft –

Amy Roberts and Susan Parker Dudley were in trouble after they had allegedly stolen an Ulster (cloak) from a child named Virginia Southwell at Newbold on 11^th March.  Virginia had taken the cloak to school but returned without it.  The cloak was worth 8s.

On further investigation it emerged that Susan Parker Dudley had pawned the cloak at P J Kelly’s pawnbrokers on Whittington Moor for the sum of 2s 11/2d.  The girls had then shared the money between them.

The parents of Amy and Sarah were very remorseful of their daughters having done such a terrible act and expressed their sorrow.  The girls were told that had they been older their actions would have led to imprisonment.

*Playing with fire –

On Sunday morning George Hayes allowed his children to go downstairs from their bedrooms to play.  Not long after George heard screams and he ran downstairs to find his little daughter Sarah on fire.  They managed to put the flames out but in consequence Sarah was very badly burnt.  She is still in a very serious condition and is suffering from shock.  Sarah was around 3 or 4 years old.

*Sudden death –

Mr George Slater a provisions dealer from High Street, Whittington has died suddenly after complaining of chest pains.  He had been in attendance at a meeting in Eckington on Saturday night.  George was aged 53 years old and a prominent member of the Methodist Church.  He followed the Liberal party in his political views.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr James Lowe to Sarah French at Dronfield on 14^th March

*Mr John Cooke Allison of Old Whittington to Elizabeth Whittaker at Ashover on 14^th March

*Samuel Buckless to Isabella Ingram at the Parish Church, Chesterfield on 14^th March

*Albert Cooper to Eliza Parkin at the Parish Church, Chesterfield on 14^th March

*George Harold Stephen Cooper to Elizabeth Brown at the Parish Church, Chesterfield on 13^th March

DEATHS –

*Minnie Goss aged 22 months at Hasland on 13^th March

*Sarah Marsh aged 79 years at Old Whittington on 12^th March

*Henry Phillips aged 61 years at Apperknowle on 12^th March

*Dora Ellen Pratt aged 4 months, daughter of William Pratt of Tibshelf on 12^th March

*Willie Hilton aged 15 months at Stonegravels on 11^th March

*Tom Anthony Rowe aged 35 years at Fritchley, Crich on 11^th March

*Mary Sanders aged 49 years at Chesterfield on 8^th March

SPORT –

*Chesterfield V Sheffield United –

Chesterfield Football Team was victorious after they won a match by 4 goals to 3 against Sheffield United.  The town had asked Sheffield United to attend and play a match, but it was commonly thought that “Chesterfield would not have a chance”.

The pitch at the Recreation Ground was described as “not conductive to good play, being very heavy and sticky”.  However the match was said to have been the best ever seen played on the ground.  Attendance was high and over two thousand fans were said to have paid at the gate.

Sheffield United won the toss and chose to play towards the entrance gates.  After only 4/5 minutes Chesterfield player Mitchell scored the first goal of the game, not happy at this United soon returned the goal and the game was now equalised.  Next to score for Chesterfield was Watson who scored from a flag kick.  United suffered an injury, after about 25 minutes pay H Lilley twisted his ankle and was taken off.

The teams were played as laid out –

Chesterfield

Goal

Trueman

Todd    Bannister

Davis    Vickers      Lacey

Holland    Roper    Hopkinson    Bennett    Mitchell

 

Watson    Duncan    Scott    Bairstow    Brooks

Hill    H.Needham    Stringer

H.E Lilley    Cain

J. W Lilley

Goal

Sheffield United

 

AND FINALLY…

Take care when opening bottles –

Ann Broadhurst of Clay Cross was admitted to Chesterfield Hospital after she severed an artery in the centre of her left palm.  She was opening a beer bottle at the time and she lost a lot of blood which made her very week.  She was however said to be progressing nicely.

Ann was 58 years old and the wife of a miner employed at the Clay Cross Colliery Company.

 

 

 

Echoes of our Past NEWS..... 13th February 1875

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was in the local news this weekend in 1875?

MAIN NEWS –

*Valentine poem –

The following poem was alegedly found on the streets of Bakewell; sadly the person who penned this love poem lost his message of adoration somewhere along the ways in the village square at Bakewell.  It was addressed to “…………. The fat Cook at the ………… Hotel, Bakewell”.  The Derbyshire Times printed the poem, but were discreet enough to leave the cooks identity concealed, but I would imagine she had an inkling it was meant for her!  Romantic? I am not sure, take a read and see what you think!

Dear Cook, in love, I’m overdone,

Whilst thee I have been toasting,

For since thy kitchen love I won

In Cupid’s fire I’m roasting,

I’m dripping every hour away,

Consum’d in fierce desire;

While thy plump form remains so gay

My fat’s all in the fire.

Good joints of mutton, veal or beef,

To judge I’ll quickly learn;

If thou wilt give my heart relief,

We’ll make a joint concern.

Through heat and cold true lovers toil!

Chill’d when thy frowns I view;

At dinner I am in a broil,

At supper, in a stew.

Though run the gauntlet of each course,

Of ev’ry daunting tasting;

‘Twere well for better or for worse,

I lessons take in ……… basting.

If thou wilt be my Valentine,

Divided be our toast;

I’ll choose the joint on which we dine,

And thou shalt “rule the roast”

OTHER ITEMS –

*Overcrowded lodging house –

John Murphy ran a lodging house at Stonegravels; he was in trouble this week after the Newbold Local Board Inspector named Mr W Birch had called to view his home. 

It was found that on the upper floor a room of small dimensions contained 2 beds, but there were 5 lodgers in those beds and another arrived to use the room whilst Mr Birch was present.  This he worked out meant that each person only had 168 “cubit feet of air” instead of the required 300 feet.

In the downstairs area, where John lived with his wife and 4 children the room had one bed in the corner for them all to share.  This room was slightly larger than the one upstairs but it still equated to only 176 “cubit feet of air” per person.

The premises was also noted to be “one of the dirtiest” Mr Birch had ever seen.  John was ordered to pay 30s which included the court costs.  There is no mention that he was told to clean his premises up however, we would hope that this was the case though.

*Maintenance –

The Guardians of the Union Workhouse had brought a man named John Sims to court requesting maintenance payments for the care of his mother whilst she was resident in the workhouse.

John was a wagon builder who lived on Lordsmill Street.  His mother Ann Sims had been in the workhouse since 20^th June 1874.  John said that he was happy to contribute but he thought that his brother was also responsible for the payments and thus they should be shared together.  The Guardian replied that his brother only earnt around 13s per week and so this would be difficult for him.  John was not sympathetic, he replied that it was his brothers own fault as he refused to remain sober. 

John did not win his case and he was order to pay the sum of 3s per week for the upkeep of his mother in the workhouse.

(There is a possible death for an Ann Sims at Lordsmill Street on 3^rd April 1877, if this is the correct Ann then it looks as though John had his mother back to live with him and she may well not have ended her life in the workhouse).

*Tragic death –

A young girl of around 2 years old had been fetching hot water from boilers at Springwell nr Staveley.  Upon returning to her home she ran into one of the buckets which toppled over and spilt hot water onto her chest.  Sadly the little girl was too badly scalded and he died the next day.  Her first name is not given but her surname was Chambers.

*Veterinary Surgeons –

There were two practices advertising their services –

John Reynolds M.R.C.V.S.L. of 16 Saltergate had taken over the practice which had previously been run by Mr G Martin.  He would provide care to all types of animal from horses, cattle and domestic pets.  The establishment also had livery stables attached.

Samuel Rawlins had taken the helm at his fathers practice at 54 Holywell Street.  He was thanking his patrons for their continued support.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr Herbert Stead engineer to Miss Martha Parker of Staveley on 7^th February at Chesterfield

*Mr H N Forrest a watchmaker from Sheffield to Miss Kate Green of Brampton at St Thomas’s Church, Brampton on 7^th February

*Mr Robert Wright to Miss Hannah Houghton from Holymoorside also at St Thomas’s Church on 8^th February

*Mr H P Cragg to Miss Mary Elizabeth Fisher at Staveley Church on 8^th February

DEATHS –

*Harry Watson aged 2 years 4 months, only son of Henry Watson and Charlotte smith of Queen Street on 6^th February

*Sarah Newbold aged 15 years at Victoria Street on 8^th February

*Bernard Dixon aged 35 years on 10^th February

*Sarah Heath aged 37 years on 5^th February at Stonegravels

*Hannah Bottoms aged 18 years at South Street on 6^th February

 

*Hannah Harvey aged 6 years at Stonegravels on 6^th February

SPORT –

*Staveley V Dore –

A football game was played at the Recreation Ground at Staveley, with a large number of spectators.  The game was well fought by both teams and described as “very spirited”.  Staveley however took the lead and won by two goals to nil. 

The Staveley team was captained by Mr Jarvis and the umpires were Mr R Barlow and Mr T Gee.  Mr Taylor captained the Dore team.

AND FINALLY…

The Great Boot Emporium –

Tyler Brothers had a large advert advising the townspeople of their autumn and winter stock.  They sold boots and shoes which were coloured and could have rosettes or trimmings added.  Even shoes for balls and evening parties, Tyler’s sold a shoe for every occasion.  They even carried out repairs on shoes and boots.

Their shop was at 25 Market Place in the centre of Chesterfield but Tyler Brothers was actually a “chain store”.  They had another shop in Dronfield “opposite the railway station” and a further 12 shops around the country.

 

Echoes of our Past NEWS....... 29th December 1877

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was in the local news this weekend in 1877?

MAIN NEWS –

*Christmas celebrations in 1877 –

The carol singers had been out in great numbers this year, although the quality of their musical talent was somewhat varied all were cheerfully received.  St Marys and All Saints Church in the centre of Chesterfield held a service in the morning and evening on Christmas Day, whilst Trinity Church held just the morning praise.

The evening service at St Marys and All Saints was full and all enjoyed the wonderful decorations which were designed by Mr Walter Stanton a local architect.  Walter sketched the plans and then a party of volunteers put the plan into action.  On entering the church at the west end two large scrolls were to be seen if one looked upwards, bearing the words “He came not to do his own will but the will of him that sent him” and “God of Gods. Light of light, very God of very God”.   Many varied crimson scrolls were placed around the church, evergreens, dried flowers, holly and berries, white wool and crimson cloth were also used to decorate. 

In the afternoon of Christmas day the Chesterfield Volunteers performed an open air concert in the Market Place for the public of Chesterfield poor and rich could all attend and enjoy the joyful sight. There was a true Christmas scene here as during the performance a slight fall of snow was to add sparkle and festivity to the proceedings, however some found the lure of the fireside to appealing and retired to their homes. 

Chesterfield Hospital was made as cheery as possible, decorations were strewn and in the entrance hall visitors were reminded “it is more blessed to give than to receive” alongside the collection box.  Within the operating room read the words “regain hope all ye that enter here” and another corridor held a banner reading “God bless our honorary surgeons for their labour of love”.  Those unlucky enough to be an inpatient in the hospital that Christmas were treated to special Christmas food and the carols and melodies were sung by the choir from the school of the Wingerworth Iron Company.  Plants were donated to add cheer by Mr Beard of Stonegravels and Mr Gosling of Brampton.  Some of the foliage used to decorate the hospital was donated by Chatsworth House. 

What about the Workhouse inmates how was their Christmas?

Well according to the Derbyshire Times “Christmas amongst the workhouse poor was very pleasant”.  They were treated to roast beef and plum pudding, in fact 25 stones of beef was said to have been consumed that day.  There were 296 inmates in the workhouse at Christmas 1877.  The adults were also given beer and tobacco and snuff as a luxury they would not be so lucky to have every day.  Apples and oranges were supplied by Mr Peter Warner and Mrs Cowdell gave buns which the inmates enjoyed.  For those who were lucky enough to be able to read then Mr Henry Slack of Low Pavement sent some magazines and periodicals for use in the workhouse.  After lunch the inmates were entertained by the Master Mr Shaw who read some “humorous sketches”.

All ages were given special treats to celebrate Christmas; the children who attended Barrow Hill Church Sunday School were given presents of bibles, prayer and hymn books and instructive story books.  The £5 used to purchase these treats had been collected from the church and local friends.  The elderly of Baslow around 100 of them were given tea by Mr Eades at the Wheatsheaf Hotel.  At Buxton the skating rink was opened from 2pm till 5pm and was a huge hit with the revellers “most of whom seemed as if they had never had skates on before”.

OTHER ITEMS –

*Accident at the Malt Kiln –

John Langton a miner at Grassmoor Colliery had accompanied his father to work at the Malt Kiln on Sheffield Road as he had no work in the Christmas week.  That night he had gone to help his father in his work and had thrown some water on to the fire, when the flames grew and bounced back hitting John in the face.  His arms and face were badly burnt and he was sent straight away to Chesterfield Hospital for treatment.

*Child smothered –

A 20 day old baby girl was accidentally smothered to death when her mother had laid on her.  An inquest held at the Boot and Shoe Inn, Grassmoor heard how baby Rosanna Mellor daughter of George Mellor a coal miner of Grassmoor had been born on 5^th December 1877. 

*Christmas Charity –

Messrs Lucas and son of Dronfield Foundry had kindly given out tickets to 30 poor widows to enable them to purchase groceries to the value of 5s.  This is a long standing custom which the company has carried out for many years now.

*Soldier missing his family –

A soldier named Thomas Foy, who was a native of Chesterfield, was brought before the bench after being charged with desertion.  Thomas was a private with the 65^th Regiment of Foot and was stationed at Sheffield.  He deserted his post on 22^nd December after he decided that he wanted to spend Christmas with his family and friends in Chesterfield. 

Thomas went on to celebrate his freedom and became drunk after which he gave himself up at the local police office.  He repented and asked if he could be set free to return to Sheffield, but this was not granted and Thomas was retained in custody until an escort could be found.

MARRIAGES –

Christmas weddings at the Crooked Spire Chesterfield –

*George Flint to Fanny Shaw on 24^th December

*Joseph Milward to Edith Rodgers on 24^th December

*George Kemp to Mary Emma Wheatcroft on 25^th December

*William Wheatcroft to Elizabeth Slack on 25^th December

*Joseph Mitchell to Hannah Hays on 25^th December

*Joseph Crabtree to Mary Brown on 26^th December

At the Parish Church Staveley –

*Robert Waldren to Martha Elizabeth Carr on 24^th December

*Joseph Berresford to Eliza Bradshaw on 24^th December

*Joseph Drabble to Sarah Maude Mary Baldie on 25^th December

DEATHS –

 

*Henry Parker farmer of Upper Newbold, died suddenly on 23^rd December aged 54 years

 

*Fanny Bertha Young aged 20 years, daughter of William Young of Calver

*Robert Frost aged 78 on 15^th December at Bakewell

 

*Jabez Machin aged 83 years on 21^st December at South Wingfield

 

*Harriett Elliot aged 23 years on 21^st December at New Whittington

 

*George Todd aged 7 months at Grassmoor

 

*William Thompson aged 60 of Queen Street, Whittington on 20^th December

 

*Leonard Harrison aged 1 years and 6 months on 25^th December at Newbold Moor

 

SPORT –

 

*Football –

 

Heavy snow caused disruption at the game played on Wednesday 26^th December between Chesterfield and Kimberworth.  The weather was so bad that many of the spectators were unable to get to the match.  The snow did not deter the Chesterfield players though and they won easily scoring 5 goals to none.  The goal scorers were – Bishop x2, Teesdale x2 and Evans x1.  The players on both teams were commended for their ability to play in such weather; “at half past two o’clock, the time announced for the beginning of the match, the snow fell with almost blinding density, ploughing their way through it very manfully until the game finished”.

AND FINALLY…

 

Father Christmas does exist –

 

The Vicar of Youlgrave wrote to the Derbyshire Times to thank an unknown donor after the children had told him of a sack of oatmeal that had been left at the Church door by “old Father Xmas”.  The sack contained a note reading “this is to be given to fifteen of the most needy in the village”. 

 

UPDATE of the Past News 9th December 1882

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*Bakewell Workhouse -

Christmas Day –

The Christmas day treat was well loved by all of the inmates of Bakewell Union Workhouse.  A thank you was passed on to the Board of Guardians at the fortnightly meeting at the beginning of January.  Mr and Mrs Waters the master and his wife were especially praised for their great interest in ensuring that those in their charge were comfortable.  The inmates were waited on by a Mrs Balston and her sister and the sister of Mrs Waters also helped in the days activities.  The meat was carved by the clerk Mr Fidler.  The inmates were given entertainment in the evening.  The only Guardian to attend was Mr Thornhill. 

Edwin Waters, the Master -

The Workhouse master was Mr Edwin Waters not Walters as stated in last week’s news.  It appears that his application to become master of a workhouse in London did not prove successful as he and his wife were still working at Bakewell for some months afterwards.  Edwin had not been at Bakewell Workhouse long as his predecessor Mr Edward Cunningham had passed away after a long illness on 18^th July 1881.  Mr Cunningham was said to have been very popular with the inmates even though he was strict with his discipline.  In contrast to those whom he reigned over, Mr Cunningham had quite a large amount of money, his probate records the sum of £1,717 6s. 

Back to Edwin Waters, he was born in Dover in 1842, the son of William and Mary Waters.  Edwin was a Staff Sergeant of the 2^nd Battalion Scots Fusilier Guards in 1871 residing at Chelsea Barracks.  His was married to Elizabeth Gray whom he had married on 3^rd December 1870 at Trinity Church, Upper Chelsea.  Sadly Elizabeth died a few years later in 1873.

Edwin enlisted on 2^nd February 1861, aged 18 years old.  His birthplace was St James, Dover and he was a sailor, 5ft 7 ½ inches high.  Edwin rose through the ranks being promoted to; Corporal on 9^th November 1864, Sergeant 7^th November 1868, Hospital Steward 21^st February 1872 and finally Colour Sergeant 1^st July 1881.  He was discharged on 28^th February 1882, his place of intended residence was Bakewell which as we know he was already employed as Bakewell Workhouse Master at this time.  Edwin’s military background and the excellent reference “that of a very good and efficient non-commissioned officer, zealous in the performance of all his duties, trustworthy and sober” would have been just what the Guardians of Bakewell Union were looking for in a master at Bakewell Union Workhouse.

 By the time Edwin arrived at Bakewell he had remarried; in 1874 Edwin married Eleanor Hillyard at St George Hanover Square, London.  Edwin already had a son named Ernest Edwin born in 1872 at St George Hanover Square, London the son of Elizabeth.  At the time of Elizabeth’s death in 1873 there is also a birth and death registered of a female unnamed Waters child, indicating that Elizabeth may well have died from complications in childbirth.  Edwin would have been left a single parent to care for 1 year old Ernest. 

 At the beginning of June 1883 Edwin Waters wrote a letter to the Board of Guardians explaining that he had been offered the position of Master at the Fir Vale Workhouse in Sheffield.  He and his wife would work one months notice.   They are praised in an article in February 1884 for their work at Fir Vale Workhouse.  The workhouse was said to be spread over a large area, which was as large as the whole of Bakewell Village.  The Christmas dinner of 1883 was taken by 1,800 inmates, apparently “demolished a trifle over a ton of Christmas pudding”. 

By 1901 and aged 58 years old, Edwin and his wife Eleanor have retired from the workhouse life and are living at 133 Melfort Road, Croyden.  They have one servant girl named Elizabeth Hill.  Things were soon to change again for Edwin when in 1902 his wife of 28 years passed away, she was 57 years old. 

Edwin passed away on 9^th December 1909 at Devonshire.  His probate record states that he resided at Denewood, Pressland Road, Sidmouth.  He was a retired poor law officer and left £283 12s 6d.  Edwin had not been sat alone however since the death of his wife Eleanor in 1902, as the money was bequeathed to an Elizabeth Jane Waters, widow.  Edwin married Elizabeth Jane Hill in 1906 at Totnes, Devon. 

Ernest Edwin the son of Edwin and Elizabeth Gray became a Captain in the Indian Medical Service.  He married a girl who was born in Madras India named Isabel.  In 1901 the couple are visiting a Surgeon named Mr Powel at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.  He died on 30^th September 1938 and left his estate of £38614 19s 7d to his widow Isabel. 

Workhouse Scandal -

The incident regarding Fanny Goodwin was first reported at the end of October, when the appearance of “a very diminutive little individual – a baby” was the topic on all of Bakewell after the mother “stoutly declines to disclose the paternity”. 

Fanny Goodwin was mid 30’s and already had a son named Henry.  She was an inmate at Bakewell Workhouse in 1881 when the census was taken.    The baby born in 1882 was named Florence.  Fanny is described on the census as unmarried and a general servant. 

In 1887 Fanny is again causing scandal in the workhouse as another child was born to her with unknown paternity in the April of 1887.  Once again she was refusing to tell the Guardians who the father was, she was described as “astute lady remains as silent as ever respecting the parentage of her rather numerous progeny”.  She did give one answer “it’s an inmate who’s gone out and I want to go to”.   Fanny had been separated and constantly watched after her last incident of childbirth, she should not have been anywhere near the men.  But, on one occasion it was said that the man in question and Fanny were in the hospital as patients at the same time. 

The Guardians were discussing her at nearly all of their meetings; it seems she now had 4 children in the workhouse with her ranging up to 13 years old.  Only one had the father’s name known.  She was notoriously known as “silent Fanny”.  She did make the Guardians happy in January 1883 during the inquest into the father of Florence; she stated “her past conduct was not in the least connected with any of the paid officers of the Union”.  This was a great relief to the Guardians.

A few years on in 1891 and sadly life has not got much better for Fanny, she is still an inmate at the Bakewell Workhouse and there are two children listed with her Henry aged 13 years and Florence aged 9 years. 

Further still in 1901 and there is still a Fanny Goodwin living at Bakewell Workhouse, the age is slightly different but this is most probably the same Fanny who had such a notorious life within the Union Workhouse walls for around 20 years.  The Fanny that had caused all the scandal and had stuck staunchly to her principles and refused to name the father of baby Florence or her siblings – who was the father?, we may never know, Fanny would probably not want us to know either.

There is a death for a Fanny Goodwin in Bakewell aged 60 years old in 1910; this may well be “our” Fanny Goodwin.

~ ~ ~ ~ x ~ ~ ~ ~

*Attempted suicide –

Mrs Thompson who attempted suicide by cutting her own throat was reported to be out of danger and doing well.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ x ~ ~ ~ ~