Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Taking a Break
Winder family history will be taking a break for a few weeks. Hopefully around 9/15, but no later than 10/1, we'll resume with the story of Mary Ann Hudson (James R Winder's wife) and their four children, both in England and the United States. Thanks for reading.
Last Things
How much the loss of James' income effected William and Mary is questionable. In addition to the downward trend in prices, there is other evidence suggesting they were in a position to absorb the loss. Based on the 1871 census, the Winders had three sources of income; William's pension, his wages at Royal Worcester Porcelain and the income from their shop. At some point after 1871, but prior to 1881, William moved up the wage scale at the pottery by becoming a slip maker. Slip is simply clay mixed with water and other materials, for example, bone, which the potter uses to make china ware.
Exactly how much of a promotion this was for William is not clear. If slip making in Worcester was similar to Trenton, then the slip maker was the one skilled worker in the department. His role was to know the "secret formula" for the slip. Supposedly the slip maker confirmed the quality of the slip by crunching it between his teeth! It's also possible, however, that the census listing was short hand for unskilled workers who weighed the ingredients on a scale (based on instructions from the slip maker) and then shoveled it into large tubs fitted with rotating paddles. After adding water, some combination of men, horses and steam stirred the slip which was then passed (by hand or machine) through sifting devices and magnets to remove rubbish and metal. Slip kilns or filter presses next forced the water from the mixture, leaving the end form of the slip which was then aged for up to 12 months.
How much William's wages changed by his new responsibilities depended on whether he was a skilled slip maker or another laborer in the room. From what we know about William, it's not hard to visualize him either being entrusted with a "secret formula" or simply providing steady and responsible physical labor. Either way his wages probably increased to some degree. There was a downside to slip making, however, as it was described as an "unwholesome occupation" due to the "dense aqueous vapor" produced by boiling the slip in the kiln. Sufficient exposure usually led to chronic bronchitis and few men could work past 60.
By the date of the 1881 census, William and Mary were still living on Northfield Street with Mary's occupation listed as shop keeper. The shop may have also functioned as a form of day care for their first grandchild, James William Winder born two years earlier. The Winders also had a lodger, possibly occupying James' old room and providing some additional income. Unfortunately, to date, no record of William has been found for the next 10 years. By February of 1891 the Winders had moved a few blocks to Southfield Street and there William died on February 25, 1891, perhaps, not surprisingly, of chronic bronchitis. Since William died before the 1891 census, we don't know if he was still working or had chosen/been forced to stop working because of ill health. While Victorian working men seldom had the option to retire, the combination of a military pension and some rental income might have been sufficient for William to have enjoyed some well earned leisure.
What can be said of William Winder's life? While we know nothing of his early years, it would be hard to create a life in fiction like his was in fact. At a time when moving from the country to the city was a big step, William traveled half way around the world and beat the odds by coming back again. While his exact role and responsibility is unclear, he married a young woman with two small children and was the father and husband in a difficult and challenging environment. At the time of his death, his widow was financially independent and his son and family were making their own way in the world. Perhaps in considering their own future, James and Mary Ann found courage and fortitude in William's example.
When William died, Mary lost more than her husband of almost 30 years as William's military pension died with him. By that point, however, Mary couldn't have been doing too badly financially as the 1891 census states she was "living on own means" It's an unfortunately vague statement which reminds me of references in Victorian novels to woman with money (capital) of their own. That would hardly seem the case here so its hard to understand what "own means" is in this context. A further clue is provided by the census, in 1891 Mary has two lodgers compared to one in 1881. Also living with her is grandson, James William Winder, suggesting at least one additional room in the home. Five years later, Mary's name appears in the Kelly's Directory of Worcestershire, still on Southfield Street, on a list of people with apartments to rent.
What this suggests is that Mary and William owned a building on Southfield Street and rented out some of the space. Property ownership by working class people was, however, very rare which makes this logical probability, less likely. Another possibility is that Mary was a sort of on-site rental agent, who lived free in exchange for rental management responsibilities. Like many things about William and Mary, it's unclear, but it seems Mary had financial means after William's death.
Also surprising is Mary's decision to stay in Worcester rather than accompanying James, Mary Ann and the children to the United States. As far as we know, she had no other family in England although she probably formed many relationships during her 30 years in Worcester. Also present in Worcester were the Hudsons, parents and siblings of James' wife, Mary Ann. Interestingly at least three time in the 1890's, Mary Ann and some of her daughters returned to Worcester, presumably to visit her own family as well as Mary Winder.
In any event in 1899, Mary Winder (Ricketts) left England and joined her son's family in Trenton. Perhaps not surprisingly for the Winders, there is no record of her arrival at Ellis Island. Mary was 64 at the time, but to date no information has been found indicating whether the move was a form of retirement or because of illness or incapacity of some kind. Her name does not appear in the Trenton newspapers during the period, but she was listed in Trenton city directories as William's widow. Finally on February 14, 1910, Mary died at the age of 75, less than two months before her son. In perhaps a final example of the Winders ability to fly below the radar, there is no record her death was ever reported to the local authorities even though the obituary and funeral were reported in the Trenton newspapers.
Like her husband, Mary lived an exceptional life from her birth in an obscure English village to her death in urban Trenton more than 3000 miles away. It's unfortunate we know so little of whether what happened to her was by accident, choice or some combination of the two. Either way the full story of her life demonstrates that whatever adversity she faced, Mary Winder had the strength and the resilience to recover and move on. Certainly a worthy model and example for her descendants.
Royal Worcester Porcelain Works about 1890
Exactly how much of a promotion this was for William is not clear. If slip making in Worcester was similar to Trenton, then the slip maker was the one skilled worker in the department. His role was to know the "secret formula" for the slip. Supposedly the slip maker confirmed the quality of the slip by crunching it between his teeth! It's also possible, however, that the census listing was short hand for unskilled workers who weighed the ingredients on a scale (based on instructions from the slip maker) and then shoveled it into large tubs fitted with rotating paddles. After adding water, some combination of men, horses and steam stirred the slip which was then passed (by hand or machine) through sifting devices and magnets to remove rubbish and metal. Slip kilns or filter presses next forced the water from the mixture, leaving the end form of the slip which was then aged for up to 12 months.
Drawing of slip room of the type where William Winder worked
How much William's wages changed by his new responsibilities depended on whether he was a skilled slip maker or another laborer in the room. From what we know about William, it's not hard to visualize him either being entrusted with a "secret formula" or simply providing steady and responsible physical labor. Either way his wages probably increased to some degree. There was a downside to slip making, however, as it was described as an "unwholesome occupation" due to the "dense aqueous vapor" produced by boiling the slip in the kiln. Sufficient exposure usually led to chronic bronchitis and few men could work past 60.
Photo of slip room at Royal Worcester Porcelain
By the date of the 1881 census, William and Mary were still living on Northfield Street with Mary's occupation listed as shop keeper. The shop may have also functioned as a form of day care for their first grandchild, James William Winder born two years earlier. The Winders also had a lodger, possibly occupying James' old room and providing some additional income. Unfortunately, to date, no record of William has been found for the next 10 years. By February of 1891 the Winders had moved a few blocks to Southfield Street and there William died on February 25, 1891, perhaps, not surprisingly, of chronic bronchitis. Since William died before the 1891 census, we don't know if he was still working or had chosen/been forced to stop working because of ill health. While Victorian working men seldom had the option to retire, the combination of a military pension and some rental income might have been sufficient for William to have enjoyed some well earned leisure.
William Winder's Death Certificate
What can be said of William Winder's life? While we know nothing of his early years, it would be hard to create a life in fiction like his was in fact. At a time when moving from the country to the city was a big step, William traveled half way around the world and beat the odds by coming back again. While his exact role and responsibility is unclear, he married a young woman with two small children and was the father and husband in a difficult and challenging environment. At the time of his death, his widow was financially independent and his son and family were making their own way in the world. Perhaps in considering their own future, James and Mary Ann found courage and fortitude in William's example.
Section of 1891 British Census showing Mary Winder (number 144 on left) "living on own means" with two boarders and 12 year old grandson, James W. Winder
When William died, Mary lost more than her husband of almost 30 years as William's military pension died with him. By that point, however, Mary couldn't have been doing too badly financially as the 1891 census states she was "living on own means" It's an unfortunately vague statement which reminds me of references in Victorian novels to woman with money (capital) of their own. That would hardly seem the case here so its hard to understand what "own means" is in this context. A further clue is provided by the census, in 1891 Mary has two lodgers compared to one in 1881. Also living with her is grandson, James William Winder, suggesting at least one additional room in the home. Five years later, Mary's name appears in the Kelly's Directory of Worcestershire, still on Southfield Street, on a list of people with apartments to rent.
Portion of a page from the Kelly's 1896 Directory of Worcester showing Mary Winder (highlighted) of 42 Southfield Street with apartments to rent
What this suggests is that Mary and William owned a building on Southfield Street and rented out some of the space. Property ownership by working class people was, however, very rare which makes this logical probability, less likely. Another possibility is that Mary was a sort of on-site rental agent, who lived free in exchange for rental management responsibilities. Like many things about William and Mary, it's unclear, but it seems Mary had financial means after William's death.
Also surprising is Mary's decision to stay in Worcester rather than accompanying James, Mary Ann and the children to the United States. As far as we know, she had no other family in England although she probably formed many relationships during her 30 years in Worcester. Also present in Worcester were the Hudsons, parents and siblings of James' wife, Mary Ann. Interestingly at least three time in the 1890's, Mary Ann and some of her daughters returned to Worcester, presumably to visit her own family as well as Mary Winder.
Page from 1901 Trenton Directory showing Mary Winder living at 331 Rutherford Avenue with son James R and grandson, James W.
In any event in 1899, Mary Winder (Ricketts) left England and joined her son's family in Trenton. Perhaps not surprisingly for the Winders, there is no record of her arrival at Ellis Island. Mary was 64 at the time, but to date no information has been found indicating whether the move was a form of retirement or because of illness or incapacity of some kind. Her name does not appear in the Trenton newspapers during the period, but she was listed in Trenton city directories as William's widow. Finally on February 14, 1910, Mary died at the age of 75, less than two months before her son. In perhaps a final example of the Winders ability to fly below the radar, there is no record her death was ever reported to the local authorities even though the obituary and funeral were reported in the Trenton newspapers.
Mary Winder's obituary from the Trenton Evening Times of February 15, 1910. Her age is incorrectly listed as 70, she was 75 at the time of her death.
Like her husband, Mary lived an exceptional life from her birth in an obscure English village to her death in urban Trenton more than 3000 miles away. It's unfortunate we know so little of whether what happened to her was by accident, choice or some combination of the two. Either way the full story of her life demonstrates that whatever adversity she faced, Mary Winder had the strength and the resilience to recover and move on. Certainly a worthy model and example for her descendants.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Life in Mid to Late Victorian Worcester
What was life like in the second half of the 19th century in Worcester? Conditions in all Victorian industrial towns were "grimy." Fires and furnaces fueled by wood and coal were constantly burning, not just to operate machinery in factories, but also for residential heat and cooking. The result was many "belching chimneys" at a time when work and home were in close proximity. Coal although still expensive, was more readily available thanks to the railroad which after 1852 also provided milk and vegetables that were of better quality and more affordable. This also facilitated the Winders new occupation as green grocers.
The Winders home on Northfield Street was most likely rented, heated by gas or wood and lit by oil, tallow and paraffin. Typically the street door would have opened on a living room which served as a parlor and kitchen. It's not clear if the Winders shop and residence were in the same building, if so, the shop would have been on the ground floor with the residence on the second.
Either in that second floor residence or more commonly on the first floor was the kitchen where Mary cooked either over an open fire or on a small range. Most of this would have been broiling and frying with the family dependent on a local baker for baking and roasting much like the Cratchits in A Christmas Carol. In addition to the cooking, Mary probably did all of the shopping, cleaning, mending and washing. Washing itself was a major operation, both time consuming and physically demanding.
In a society where most people worked 10 hours a day and had only 53 days off a year, we tend to think of the Victorian life as all work and no play. The Winders had a different frame of reference and given the lack of long commutes - evenings, Sundays and the occasional holiday gave them some leisure time or at least more than their predecessors. At the heart of Victorian entertainment was the music hall which began in England in the early 1850's and by the 1860's there were at least two such establishments operating in Worcester. Other forms of entertainment such as all male singing groups became popular through music halls which may be where James first witnessed what would become one of his passions. Of special note were two 1867 visits to Worcester by Charles Dickens himself who did public readings from A Christmas Carol and The Pickwick Papers.
If there was such a community of belief, it became part of popular culture through hymns and hymn singing, not the Bible or the prayer book. One example is the great Victorian hymn, "Abide With Me," which doesn't express as specific creed, but offers assurance without demands. Interestingly that was one of the hymns we sang at Ruth Winder Healey's funeral.
Defining time periods as mid or late Victorian is very arbitrary and those who actually lived at the time, may not have even been conscious of much change. 1875 is sometimes chosen as the beginning of the late Victorian period and it does approximate some significant changes for William and Mary. Just two years later, James married Mary Ann Hudson and moved out on his own. While today such a transition might be more emotional in nature (empty nest syndrome or in some cases relief), it had a financial impact in Victorian times. Typically when working class children, especially an only child, moved out, it marked the end of the most financially prosperous period in the parent's lives and the beginning of some financial challenges. In the next post we'll look at how much this may have effected the Winders.
Picture of Victorian industrial town illustrating the amount of smoke and the proximity of houses to factories
The Winders home on Northfield Street was most likely rented, heated by gas or wood and lit by oil, tallow and paraffin. Typically the street door would have opened on a living room which served as a parlor and kitchen. It's not clear if the Winders shop and residence were in the same building, if so, the shop would have been on the ground floor with the residence on the second.
Modern view of houses on Northfield Street
Either in that second floor residence or more commonly on the first floor was the kitchen where Mary cooked either over an open fire or on a small range. Most of this would have been broiling and frying with the family dependent on a local baker for baking and roasting much like the Cratchits in A Christmas Carol. In addition to the cooking, Mary probably did all of the shopping, cleaning, mending and washing. Washing itself was a major operation, both time consuming and physically demanding.
Victorian Cooking Range
In a society where most people worked 10 hours a day and had only 53 days off a year, we tend to think of the Victorian life as all work and no play. The Winders had a different frame of reference and given the lack of long commutes - evenings, Sundays and the occasional holiday gave them some leisure time or at least more than their predecessors. At the heart of Victorian entertainment was the music hall which began in England in the early 1850's and by the 1860's there were at least two such establishments operating in Worcester. Other forms of entertainment such as all male singing groups became popular through music halls which may be where James first witnessed what would become one of his passions. Of special note were two 1867 visits to Worcester by Charles Dickens himself who did public readings from A Christmas Carol and The Pickwick Papers.
Worcester Chronicle, April 17, 1867 account of Charles Dickens visit to Worcester just three years before his death.
Sundays were, of course, free of work, but because of strict Sabbath laws and customs most activities were church related. While we don't know how religious the Winders were, their marriage, as well as that of son James, in a congregational chapel suggests any religious activities were non-conformist, not Church of England. In spite of the differences between these two Protestant denominations, one historian claims there was little difference between the beliefs of ordinary members. These included belief in a personal God who was a stern and loving father with Heaven as a "state of future bliss" and Hell for the wicked. Humans or "man" in Victorian parlance had a sinful nature, but could be saved by God's grace. Typically congregational chapels held two worship services every Sunday plus a Sunday school, for both children and adults which taught basic skills as well as religious subjects. Perhaps it's just as well so much time was spent in church since not being able to do anything for enjoyment on their one day off was a source of frustration for many Victorians. Looking backward, one woman who grew up in the Victorian era recalled that every Sunday afternoon, it seemed like the clock was stuck at 3:00.
1867 Ad for Worcester Music Hall - original is off center
If there was such a community of belief, it became part of popular culture through hymns and hymn singing, not the Bible or the prayer book. One example is the great Victorian hymn, "Abide With Me," which doesn't express as specific creed, but offers assurance without demands. Interestingly that was one of the hymns we sang at Ruth Winder Healey's funeral.
Defining time periods as mid or late Victorian is very arbitrary and those who actually lived at the time, may not have even been conscious of much change. 1875 is sometimes chosen as the beginning of the late Victorian period and it does approximate some significant changes for William and Mary. Just two years later, James married Mary Ann Hudson and moved out on his own. While today such a transition might be more emotional in nature (empty nest syndrome or in some cases relief), it had a financial impact in Victorian times. Typically when working class children, especially an only child, moved out, it marked the end of the most financially prosperous period in the parent's lives and the beginning of some financial challenges. In the next post we'll look at how much this may have effected the Winders.
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