Kate Brewer

Born 1870, died 1937
Assistant Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, 1891
Researched by Dauna Coppin

Kate Brewer was born in the December Quarter of 1870 in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire. Her mother was thought to be Mary Ann Brewer, eldest daughter of John and Elizabeth Brewer who lived at Nursery Street, Market Rasen.

In 1871, the 5-month-old Kate was living with her grandparents, Mary Ann and Mary Ann’s five siblings at this address. John’s occupation was an agricultural labourer. The oldest son, Norton was also a labourer while son, John, was a cabinet maker apprentice and his younger brother, Charles was a shoemaker apprentice. Mary Ann was a domestic servant and the two youngest, Sarah and Harry were both at school.

By 1881, Kate was a 10-year-old schoolgirl and living at Waterloo Road, Market Rasen, with her grandparents. Sadly, in 1886, Kate’s grandfather John, died followed by her grandmother, Elizabeth, in 1890.

By April 1891, aged 20, Kate was working as Probationer Sick Nurse for the Banvil Family in East Beckham, Norfolk. Henry Banvil was a Game Keeper. It is possible that Kate had done some training at Fakenham Nurses Home under the care of director Sophia Hammond.

A month later, in May 1891, Kate began working temporarily as an Assistant Nurse for the Guardians of Mitford and Launditch Workhouse, Gressenhall. The Guardians Minutes of 25th May 1891 recorded that they “Resolved that Kate Brewer be hereby elected Nurse at the Workhouse as a substitute for Sarah Ellen Winter absent on leave to complete her training and obtain her diploma.”

However, the appointment was not to last very long. On 8th June there was another entry in the Guardian’s minutes, “On the report of the Visiting Committee it was resolved that the Clerk write to Miss Hammond informing her that Nurse Brewer was not strong enough and not old enough and requesting her send a stronger and order Nurse.”

It is not known where Kate went after she left Gressenhall but, in the March Quarter of 1899, Kate married Louis Stark. Her daughter, Muriel, was born in 1900 and by 1901 the family were living at 15 Studley Street, Sculcoates, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire. Kate was 30 years old and had become a dressmaker, working from home. Her husband Louis’ occupation was as a ballast lighterman, probably working in the nearby shipyard.

1n 1911, a 40-year-old Kate and Louis, then a seaman, were living at 310 Holderness Road, Sculcoates with Muriel and their second daughter, Rowena, who had been born in 1908.

On census night on 19th June 1921. Kate lived with youngest daughter, Rowena at 146 Anlaby Road, in Hull. Daughter, Muriel had left home to become a teacher. After marrying in 1926, she gave Kate grandsons. John Henry was born in 1934, and Harold was born in 1935. Younger daughter, Rowena also got married later and produced Kate’s first granddaughter, Gloria, in 1939.

Sadly, however, Kate was never to meet Gloria as she died in the December Quarter of 1937, aged 66 years, in Hull.