Royal Chelsea Hospital - why would a woman be living there?

[C-A]

Not really sure where to post this, so I hope I'm not breaking any rules.

My GG Grandmother (Elizabeth Edith Harrison Tooley) is showing on the 1881 & 1891 censuses as living here and her occupation is shown as organist at the hospital. She married her 2nd husband in 1878 and her address on the marriage license was shown as the Royal Hospital, so it looks like her husband moved to her address.

I am curious as to how she would have been entitled to live there and what the hospital needed an organist for!

Any thoughts?

[rosie99]

The electoral register for 1893 describes the address as a dwelling house
Tooley, Elizabeth Edith Harrison - place of abode 93 Chelsea Hospital (that address was also the 'qualifying property'

[jorose]

http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/music-music-lists

During the 19th Century the Hospital appears to have adopted the custom of appointing women as organists. This had been prevalent in churches in the City of London during the 18th century, though the post-holders' resignation was always expected (and insisted on) in the event of their marrying. Apart from a short period in the 19th century the Royal Hospital Organists continued to live in the apartments formerly occupied by Burney, their salary being supplemented by official quotas of coal and gas during the late 19th and early 20th century. It was only in 1989 that these quarters were re-allocated.

[JenB]

I am curious as to how she would have been entitled to live there and what the hospital needed an organist for!

Any thoughts?

An organist would be needed to play the organ in the Chapel which was, and still is, fairly celebrated for its music!

[C-A]

Gosh, thanks everyone!

Things are becoming clearer.  It looks like she moved there after she was widowed with her 2 young daughters and then stayed after she remarried for at least 15 years - I have found her husband on the electoral roll for 1894 but by 1901 they were living in Friern Barnet.

She had previously lived in Holly Village and had taught piano to Charles Dickens' children. Perhaps she was able to get the job at the hospital thanks to his recommendation 

[LizzieW]

Of course over the last few years women have been admitted as Chelsea Pensioners and can be seen around wearing the traditional red uniform.  The first woman was admitted in March 2009.

[magnacarta]

   C-A Would that be Holly Village in Highgate? I used to walk past that on the way to school, Always thought it looked a mysterious and fascinating place.

[C-A]

Yes - she lived at no.5 which I believe is a semi detached house (I haven't been able to visit the area yet).

They must have been among the first tenants and she is shown living there with her first husband George Deason Welsh (my GGGF) on the 1871 census and they still lived there when he died in 1874.