Mary Fisher

Born 1878, died unknown (after 1935)
Probationer Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse 1900-1903
Researched by Dauna Coppin

Mary Fisher was born on 12th June 1878 in the West Derby area of Liverpool in Lancashire. Her parents were George and Emma (née Green). On the 1881 census, Mary was 2 years old and living with her family at Brickfields, Wavertree, West Derby. Her father was a general labourer, and five older siblings were at school.

The 1891 census shows her then widowed mother living with nine of her children in Brickfields, Edge Lane, Wavertree. Mary was 12 years old at this time and the family were supported by her elder brothers, Harry, a shunter on the railway and Thomas and John who were builders’ labourers. 

When Mary was 19 years old, she worked as a waitress for William Musson at 8 Holly Road, Liverpool, from September 1897 to February 1898. She then became a waitress for Dr Hugh Clark at 1 Dean Road, Liverpool until 10th September 1900.

The staff records at the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse show that Mary became a Probationer Nurse on 19th October 1900, on a salary of £12. Despite her lack of experience in nursing, the Guardians were satisfied that Mary could do the job based on references they had received.

The 1901 census confirmed that Mary was 22 years old and a Probationer Nurse at the Workhouse. One reason for travelling to work in Norfolk may be that her mother was born in the county.

The Workhouse Staff Register shows that Mary was promoted to Assistant Nurse in February 1902, and given a salary of £20. However, by April 1903, Mary had left; no reason was given for her resignation. The Guardian’s Minutes of 5th January and 27th April 1903 mention that Mary had asked for a testimonial and stated that she had “given fair satisfaction to the guardians.”

From April 1903 until April 1905, Mary worked as an Assistant Nurse on a salary of £25 at the Union Infirmary, Watford. The Midwives Roll of 1905 showed that her qualification date was 25th November 1904, and she was enrolled on the register on 23rd March 1905.

The 1911 census shows that Mary, who was 31 years old, worked as an Infirmary Nurse at the Cirencester Union Workhouse, Gloucestershire. According to their staff register, she had started working there in December 1905 until May 1918, when her wages went up to £50 per annum.

In 1921, Mary had travelled south to the county of Oxfordshire and worked as a Sick Nurse and Qualified Midwife at the Bicester Union Workhouse. She was still single and aged 43 years old. The Bicester Union Staff Register shows that she was employed from April 1921 as Head Nurse, on a salary of £75.

In 1926, the Midwives Roll showed that Mary was working at the Poor Law Institution, Faringdon, Berkshire, where she continued to work until at least 1935.

Nothing further is known of Mary, and the date or whereabouts of her death is not certain.