Sarah Ellen Winter

Born 1856, died 1910
Assistant Nurse and Head Nurse at the Mitford and Launditch
Union Workhouse 1883-1895
Researched by Denise Hickman

Sarah Ellen Winter was born in Yorkshire in 1856. The 1861 and 1871 Censuses indicate that she had a comfortable childhood. She lived with her parents and brothers in Cheetham, Manchester and her father was a joiner with 20 employees. Sadly, by 1874, when she was 18 years old, both her parents had died, and her living circumstances changed greatly.  In the 1881 Census “Ellen” Winter (also known as Nellie) is found in Cheetham with a widow and children as a “visitor”.  Two years later Sarah Ellen was living with one of her brothers, as his housekeeper, in York. 

In July 1883, on the recommendation of Miss Wilson the Honorary Secretary of the Workhouse Infirmary Nursing Association, Sarah Ellen joined the staff of Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse as Assistant Nurse. She was to remain there for the next twelve years as Assistant Nurse and later Head Nurse.  Her starting salary was £15 per annum plus 1s per week in lieu of beer plus rations and “…other allowances assigned to her by the guardians”.  The following year, Sarah Ellen requested a salary increase.  Her salary was increased to £20 per annum in addition to an allowance of 1s per week in lieu of beer because the guardians were “…well satisfied” with her work.  

In the 1891 Census Sarah Ellen Winter was still working as an Assistant Nurse at the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse and was visited by her cousin Sarah Ellen Beeby. Earlier that year Sarah Ellen had applied to obtain her Obstetrical Diploma and attended a three-month training course in Liverpool. In her absence her role was temporarily covered by a trained nurse. Later that year Ellen Murray, the Head Nurse, sent in her resignation. In a staff transcript it was noted that “…subject to approval of Miss Wilson the place will be offered to Sarah E. Winter at £30 per annum with rations of 1s per week beer money”.  

In December 1893 Sarah Ellen became unwell and the Board requested a nurse to cover for her.  There is a letter of this time stating that “Nurse Winter would be glad if the Board would allow her a month’s leave of absence”. 

There is an inscription of October 1895 by Sarah Ellen in a Birthday Scripture Book which she gave to Mary Wallin, a fellow nurse, which read: “Marey Wallin, With good wishes, … success…forever.  Nellie Winter.  In remembrance of Gressenhall Infirmary”. 

A couple of months later Sarah Ellen handed in her resignation. There is an entry in the nurse’s record book which reads: “E. Winter resigned December 1895. Cause not stated…”.  There was an advertisement in the Norwich Mercury on 7 December 1895: “A new Nurse Needed…it was decided to ask Nursing Association to supply them with a nurse in the place of Nurse Winter, who was leaving…”.

Sarah Ellen Winter worked at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse for over 12 years and was nearly 40 years old when she left in 1895.  She later worked as Nurse and Head Nurse at Elham Workhouse in Kent and as a private nurse to a lady in Lyminge, Kent.