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.
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