A New Life in a New City

Regardless of whether it was before 1860, sometime in 1861 or not until their 1862 marriage, at some point the Winders moved to Worcester.  The city was a reasonable destination for this somewhat non-traditional Victorian family.  With an 1861 population of just under 33,000, Worcester was further removed from rural Astley and Arley Kings than the 12-13 miles distance between them might suggest.  Here at least there should be better job opportunities than the underpaid, overworked world of the agricultural laborer.

View of Worcester - the church spire at the left is that of St. Andrew's Church

An ancient market town, Worcester was founded on the high ground of the only good crossing along that part of the Severn River.  The Severn is a tidal river and before the coming of the railroad, Worcester was a "busy inland port" with a 100 sailing ships at a time on the river.  As a leading medieval city, supposedly the fifth most important on medieval England, Worcester had its own Cathedral which was begun in the 11th century.   From an historical perspective the Cathedral is noteworthy as the burial sites of King John (of Robin Hood fame) and Prince Arthur the eldest son of Henry VII.  Arthur's early death opened the way for his younger brother to become King Henry VIII.

Rev. John Bartlett who officiated at William and Mary's 1862 wedding 

At the time of their marriage, both William and Mary listed their residence as Hounds Lane in St. Andrew's parish.  Hounds Lane apparently no longer exists, nor does St. Andrew's Church as only the spire and tower survive.  By the 1840's the area around the church had become "one of the most squalid and degraded parts of the city" with many homes being converted into lodging houses.  Redevelopment efforts introduced "model dwellings" which supposedly looked like "grim barracks," but were actually a big improvement over what had been there before.  No information survives as to the address where the Winders lived, but eight months later they had moved to Friar Street.

Friar Street - 19th century view 

At the time of his marriage, William listed his occupation as army pensioner, suggesting he wasn't employed.  By November William was a laborer in a china factory, most likely Royal Worcester Porcelain which may explain the move to Friar Street which was closer to the Royal Worcester works.  Unlike Hounds Lane, Friar Street still exists and has been described as one of "the most interesting of the medieval streets left in England," with more timber framed buildings than the rest of the city.  It appears that during the 19th century some of these fine buildings were divided into tenements which is most likely where the Winders lived.

Friar Street - modern view

As they began a more traditional life in the 1860's, William and Mary's primary challenge was supporting themselves which could not be taken for granted.  Fortunately for them, conditions in England in first half of the decade were more stable than during William's last extended attempt to earn a living in civilian life.  Unlike the "radical 30's" and the "hungry 40's," the period 1860-65 was calmer with a more stable economic environment.  Stability in the general economy always helps, but the Winders had a more specific from of a financial stability, William's military pension.

Description of William Winder as of his 1861 army discharge 

By joining the army and especially by going to India, William had taken a big risk since less than half of the soldiers who went to India ever returned.  By beating those odds, William's risk taking paid off in an important way.  For the last 30 years of his life, William was guaranteed a pension of 7 shillings per week.  Although that's less than the weekly wages of the lowest paid Victorian worker, it was vitally important because it was guaranteed, no matter what happened, as long as William was alive, that safety net was always there.

Official Record of William Winder's military pension

Every age and society has principles that aren't just beliefs, but certainties.  Certainties aren't usually articulated, but they are how a society looks at and evaluates what is going on around them.  A core certainty for Victorians was the importance of a  free market economy and that it was in everyone's best interest for the laws of supply and demand to operate without any kind of interference, government or otherwise.  No matter what happened to people (and their families) who couldn't earn a living, things should just be allowed to take their course.

Royal Worcester Porcelain works 

For the typical unskilled British working class family this meant a life strong struggle to survive.  A recently married couple without children could probably get by until the first child came along.  As pregnancy and child care care kept the mother out of the workforce, things became more difficult financially.  Once children reached working age, however, (probably no older than 10 in the 1860's) and started earning some money, they contributed to the family's financial situation and there was a period of relative prosperity.  However as children went out on their own, family income levels dropped and husbands and wives worked as long as they were able.  There was no retirement to look forward to and the best someone could hope for was a child who was willing to take them in.  Otherwise the alternative was the workhouse as happened to Mary's father, Samuel.

This somewhat bleak picture was the reality for those who could find work.  Others weren't so fortunate and with no resources beyond limited local charity and the workhouse, economic insecurity was a constant fear which "haunted thousands of families."  Supposedly there was a "great army" of families trying to live on 1 pound a week. One study estimated that 10% of the population couldn't earn enough for subsistence and another 20% scraped by with no margin for error.  The Winders were fortunate, therefore to have that safety net of 7 shillings a week (a safety net earned at great risk and hardship).  Working as a laborer for 12-14 shillings a week plus anything Mary earned cleaning put them at that 1 pound a week level (20 shillings to the pound).  More importantly as long as William lived there was always some money coming in the door.