Elizabeth Benstead

Born 1859, died 1923
Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse. 1896-1898
Researched by Nicola Sheard

Elizabeth Benstead was born in the district of Glandford Brigg, Lincolnshire, in the fourth quarter of 1859. Elizabeth’s parents, George Benstead of Donington and Caroline Petch of Laceby, had married on May 14th 1857 in the parish church of Laceby, Lincolnshire. The 1861 census recorded that the Benstead family lived in Broughton, a village in the Glandford Brigg district. The family comprised of George, a Gardener, his wife Caroline and children George, aged 3, Elizabeth, aged 1 and Alfred, less than 1 month.

By the time of the 1871 census, Elizabeth and her family were living in Brighow Gate, Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, her father continued to work as a Gardener.

The 1881 census recorded that Elizabeth, her parents and two brothers had moved again and now resided at 116 Heneage Street, Clee with Weelsby, Lincolnshire. Elizabeth, aged 21, worked as a dressmaker. Her brother George’s occupation was a Corn Miller’s Clerk and her brother Alfred a Clerk, their father continued to work as a Gardener. Elizabeth’s mother Caroline died on 23rd April 1884 at Heneage Street, she was 54 years old.

By the time of the 1891 census, Elizabeth’s older brother George Petch Benstead was living at 13, Watkin Street, Great Grimsby, Caistor, Lincolnshire. He was married to Jessie and they had three children, Grace Caroline, aged 6, Jessie, aged 5 and Mary Elizabeth, age 3. George’s occupation was recorded as Corn Miller’s Clerk. Elizabeth’s younger brother Alfred had married Louisa and they had 2 children, Alfred aged 2 and Carrie aged 5 months. The family lived at 86, Carter Gate, Great Grimsby, Caistor, Lincolnshire and Alfred was also employed as a Corn Miller’s Clerk. Elizabeth’s father, George, had remarried on 18th August 1887 at St Andrew’s Church, Great Grimsby. His new wife Jane was 48 years old and a spinster.

By 1891 Elizabeth had started her nursing career. The census for that year recorded that she worked as a Nurse in the Workhouse Infirmary, Winson Green, Birmingham. Information from Elizabeth’s Mitford and Launditch Union appointment form states that she was a Probationer Nurse here until March 1892.

Following this appointment Elizabeth worked as a Nurse in Sheffield from April 1892 until October 1893. She resigned from this position to “try and better her position”.  From March 1894 until November 1895, Elizabeth was employed by a Nurses Co-operation in Monument Road, Edgbaston. In October 1895 the Benstead family suffered two bereavements when Elizabeth’s brother, George and his wife Jessie both died. In light of this tragedy Elizabeth resigned from her position at the Nurses Co-operation.

On the 18th May 1896, the minute book of the Board of Guardians for Mitford and Launditch Union recorded that there had been several applications for the position of Nurse and the Visiting Committee had asked the Clerk to write to Elizabeth to offer her a month’s trial as an Assistant Nurse with a salary of £25 per annum. It is likely that Elizabeth was living with her brother Alfred at this time as the 1901 census recorded this address as his place of residence. Walter Barton, Clerk to the Board of Guardians for Mitford and Launditch Union, completed Elizabeth’s Appointment Form and sent it to the Local Government Board on 14th July 1896. On 4th August 1896 the Local Government Board wrote to Walter Barton confirming that they had no objections to this appointment.

On 14th December 1896, the minute book of the Board of Guardians for Mitford and Launditch Union recorded that a letter had been received from Nurse Benstead “declining to avail herself of the Poor Law Officers Superannuation Act 1896”. This Act allowed all employees of the Board of Guardians who had served for ten years or more the right to claim a superannuation allowance (pension) from the Guardians once they had reached the age of 65 or had reached the age of 60 with 40 service.

Elizabeth Benstead was not mentioned again in the Guardian minute books until 7th February 1898 when the Clerk reported to the Board that she had written a letter resigning from her position of Nurse.

It is not known if Elizabeth Benstead left Gressenhall to take up another position immediately, however, in 1901, the census recorded that she was working as an assistant nurse at the Grimsby Poor Law Union. On 29th October 1901 Elizabeth married Joseph Rossiter Billing, a widower, at the Parish Church of St James in Great Grimsby. Joseph was a Cemetery Superintendent and his residence was recorded as Scartho Road, Grimsby. Elizabeth’s address was given as Nun’s Farm, it was previously established that this was her brother Alfred’s place of residence and he was a witness to the marriage.

The census for 1901 had recorded that Joseph lived at Cemetery Lodge, Scartho Road with three of his children, Arthur, aged 26, Elizabeth, aged 24 and Annie, aged 18. Interestingly, this entry is on the same page as the one for Alfred Benstead, indicating a proximity between the two residences.

In 1911, the census recorded that Joseph and Elizabeth Billing continued to live at Scartho Road. Joseph’s occupation was recorded as Superintendent, Municipal Cemeteries. Joseph’s children Elizabeth, aged 34 and Philip, aged 30 lived with them. Joseph died in Lincolnshire on 29th September 1919, aged 76. Elizabeth, now a widow, was recorded in the 1921 census as living at Cromwell View, Caistor, Lincolnshire. She was self-employed as a Drapery Dealer. She died in Lincolnshire in the 3rd quarter of 1923, aged 62.