Author Topic: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth  (Read 1296 times)

Offline BumbleB

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #9 on: Wednesday 07 April 21 07:06 BST (UK) »
Clearer image on FindMyPast - * deduct 2 females in caravan - so a total of 8 females on that page, rather than 10.

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Offline jonw65

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #10 on: Wednesday 07 April 21 10:27 BST (UK) »
She seems to be in the newspapers in January 1850
Daily News, 24 January
MELANCHOLY DEATH OF AN ARTIST.—Yesterday an inquiry was gone into before Mr. Carter, at the Duke of Suffolk, Brandon-street, Walworth, respecting the death of William Harris, aged 73 years, an artist, who died under very painful circumstances, in a caravan, in which he had resided for 30 years. The jury proceeded to an old caravan, situated in the corner of a filthy place, called Davy's Cow-yard, Upper Brandon-street, where they found the body of the deceased in a very emaciated state. The interior of the vehicle was quite unfit for the residence of a human being. Martha Harris stated that the deceased was her husband, he was an artist, and they had been married 47 years. Deceased, formerly, was in a large house at the west end of London; but being reduced in circumstances, the deceased completed a collection of oil paintings, which he exhibited in the caravan at the various fairs round the country. They had lived in the same vehicle for the last 30 years; but the deceased for a considerable period had been unable to get about, and therefore their means of obtaining a livelihood had been stopped. The only money they got was by the deceased painting sign-boards, window-blinds, or anything he could get to do. He occasionally executed the paintings that were exhibited outside the shows, but the remuneration was very bad. On Sunday morning last the deceased was in the act of lighting the fire in the caravan, during her absence, and when she returned the deceased was lying on the floor of the vehicle. Witness obtained assistance, but the deceased died in a few hours afterwards. The surgeon who attended deceased was of opinion that he had died from an attack of apoplexy. The Coroner—Do you mean to say that you have lived in the caravan thirty years? Witness (with tears In her eyes)—Yes, sir, we have. Mr. Cooke, the summoning officer, said that when he visited the place on Sunday morning the only money the poor woman had was one penny. The officer added that he fully believed they had suffered great privations. The jury returned a verdict of "Natural Death."

Offline jonw65

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #11 on: Wednesday 07 April 21 10:47 BST (UK) »
Burial at St Peter Walworth, 25 January 1850
William Harris
Abode Brandon Street
Age 74 years

Offline cad

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #12 on: Thursday 08 April 21 01:20 BST (UK) »
Jon, wow... that's amazing! What a story, sorry I didn't answer sooner but I didn't get an e-mail alert that there had been a reply to the post.
This sounds more Dickensian with every discovery.
Wiltshire,Somerset : Cainey, Summers, Payne, Wallis,
Wales: Pugh, Watkins, Williams, Edwards,
London: Binden, Sullivan, Tickner, Tilt
Ireland: Tracey, Sullivan, Dalton


Offline Dundee

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #13 on: Thursday 08 April 21 02:21 BST (UK) »
Martha Harris stated that the deceased was her husband, he was an artist, and they had been married 47 years.

That might be your connection.

Martha JESEPH
Marriage Date:    28 Oct 1801
Marriage Place:    Saint Giles,Camberwell,Surrey,England
Spouse:    William HARRIS

Amelia JESEPH
Marriage Date:    12 Apr 1803
Marriage Place:    St George Hanover Square, Westminster, England
Spouse:    William BURRELL

Amelia Martha Frans. BURRELL
Baptism Date:    12 Feb 1804
Baptism Place:    Saint Giles Cripplegate,London,London,England
Father: Wm. BURRELL
Mother: Amelia

Debra  :)

Offline cad

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #14 on: Thursday 08 April 21 12:47 BST (UK) »
Thank you Debra, that's exactly what I was hoping to find ( if I hadn't had to cancel my subscriptions after being made redundant last year ), you are a legend.
Wiltshire,Somerset : Cainey, Summers, Payne, Wallis,
Wales: Pugh, Watkins, Williams, Edwards,
London: Binden, Sullivan, Tickner, Tilt
Ireland: Tracey, Sullivan, Dalton

Offline cad

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #15 on: Thursday 08 April 21 14:22 BST (UK) »
Just thought I'd add, I am always delighted to see artistic links in the family chain. My parents met at art college and I studied art to degree level. This is a painting I did for my Dad's birthday of his Mum, I used a black and white photo taken the morning after their wedding.
Wiltshire,Somerset : Cainey, Summers, Payne, Wallis,
Wales: Pugh, Watkins, Williams, Edwards,
London: Binden, Sullivan, Tickner, Tilt
Ireland: Tracey, Sullivan, Dalton

Offline cad

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #16 on: Tuesday 13 April 21 02:29 BST (UK) »
Would anyone be so kind to check what Harriet's occupation is?  It looks like shoe binder, whatever it is it sadly isn't scholar.
Wiltshire,Somerset : Cainey, Summers, Payne, Wallis,
Wales: Pugh, Watkins, Williams, Edwards,
London: Binden, Sullivan, Tickner, Tilt
Ireland: Tracey, Sullivan, Dalton

Offline BumbleB

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Re: Martha Harris, Straw Bonnet Maker in a caravan in Lambeth
« Reply #17 on: Tuesday 13 April 21 07:38 BST (UK) »
Yes, Harriet's occupation is designated "Shoe Binder" = female worker in a factory who sewed the tops of shoes to the base - A Dictionary of old trades, titles and occupations.


Transcriptions and NBI are merely finding aids.  They are NOT a substitute for original record entries.
Remember - "They'll be found when they want to be found" !!!
If you don't ask the question, you won't get an answer.
He/she who never made a mistake, never made anything.
Archbell - anywhere, any date
Kendall - WRY
Milner - WRY
Appleyard - WRY