Mary Howard

Born 1831, died 1917
Assistant Nurse / Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, 1856-1858
Researched by Dauna Coppin.

Mary Howard was baptised in the parish church of East Lexham as Mary Kenny on 10th April 1831. Her parents were Edmund Kenny, a labourer, and Elisabeth Kenny (née Hare). In 1841, the family lived at Main Street, East Lexham. Mary had three older siblings, John, Letitia and William and a younger sister, Frances.

On 31st October 1848, aged just 18, Mary married William Howard, a basket maker. They married at Litcham parish church. Just prior to the wedding, Mary had given birth to her first son, George and two years later, their son Benjamin was born. On the 1851 census, the family lived at Rosedale Villa, Litcham, with William’s parents, Thomas and Mary Howard. Mary and William had another child, Maria, who was baptised on 25th April 1852 in East Rudham. It is possible that the marriage was in difficulty by this time as William subsequently deserted the family and Mary, with two of the children, probably Benjamin and Maria, ended up in Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, Gressenhall.

Despite her impoverished status, by April 1856, Mary had been employed at the Workhouse as an Assistant in the Infirmary. In their minutes of 21st April 1856, the Guardians “Agreed that…Mary Howard, …assistant in the Infirmary Wards  be allowed a gratuity of five shillings…for [her] service”. Subsequently, a year later, Mary’s name was put forward as a replacement for the Nurse who had resigned. The Master reported that  “Mary Howard …had been for some time past, employed as an assistant nurse and was likely to fill the office satisfactorily”  The Guardian’s minutes show that Mary was subsequently offered the position of Nurse: “The Master and Dr Vincent having reported favourably of Mrs Howard the Nurse in the Infirmary Wards, and her month of probation having this day expired, that she be permanently engaged as a Nurse…at a salary of £20”. She started her new position on  date of 25th May 1857, and was given a week's leave to arrange provision for the children outside of the Workhouse.

Mary worked as a nurse until September 1858, when she offered her resignation. It is not certain where she went but possibly to Norwich as, on the 1861 census, Mary, aged 31 is shown as working as a nurse for the Norfolk and Norwich hospital. She stated she was married at this time, but it is not certain what became of husband, William. Her three children were living with her in-laws, Thomas and Mary Howard, in Litcham, and were all at school.

By 1871, Mary states she is a widow on the census. It has not been possible to identify a death for William. She was still working as a nurse at Norfolk hospital in Norwich. Her son, George, had become a police constable, Benjamin was a basket maker, while Mary’s daughter, Maria, was in service, working as a cook.       In 1874 Mary, aged 45, married Robert Mear, a corn miller, at St Stephen’s Parish, Norwich. Her children also all married and eventually produced three grandchildren for Maria; Robert. May and Benjamin.

By 1891, Mary was once again living as a widow. Sadly, her husband, Robert had died, aged 65, in 1883. Mary was described as living ‘on her own means’ at 39 Philadelphia Lane, Norwich, with her 6 year old grandson, Benjamin who was staying with her. They lived together for at least 10 years. When Benjamin eventually married, Maria (aged80) lived with him and his family at the School House in All Saints, Weasenham, where he was schoolmaster.

Mary lived for a few more years, but died aged 88 in the September quarter 1917 in the Blofield district of Norwich, Norfolk.