Nellie May Hitchcock

Born 1876, died 1942
Superintendent Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, 1906-1907
Researched by Elizabeth Steele

Nellie May Hitchcock was born in Stepney, London, on 8th May 1876. Her parents were Frederick William and Agnes Margaret Hitchcock (nee Beattie), who had married in the October Quarter of 1873 at St Albans, Hertfordshire. Records show that Nellie was the second child of nine children born to her parents spanning a period from 1875 to 1889.

Nellie, aged 4, is recorded on the 1881 census as living at the family home with her parents and siblings and a servant at 179 Salmons Lane, Limehouse. Her father is is recorded as Head of the Household, aged 35, with an occupation of grocer.

The 1891 census records Nellie, now aged 14, as being a scholar (attending school), living with her parents and siblings at 252 Seven Sisters Road, Islington London. Her father, aged 45, is now recorded with the occupation of cheesemonger.

Nellie trains as a Nurse at Epsom Union Infirmary, Surrey, 1903 -1906. In December 1906 Nellie applies for the position and is duly appointed, as  Superintendent Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, Gressenhall with a salary of £40 per annum and uniform and one month’s notice to be given to terminate the engagement. There appears to have been some problem with her not being qualified in accordance with Article 3 of the Nursing in Workhouse Order, as the Guardians write to the Local Government Board in February 1907, asking them to dispense with the requirement of such article and to approve of Nellie’s appointment as she had  commenced service under the Guardians and they are please to report “…performed her duties to their entire satisfaction, and being in their opinion an excellent nurse”.

Nellie’s sister, Elsie Gertrude Hitchcock joined her at Gressenhall for a few months, as a probationer nurse in March 1907. The next entry in the minutes mentioning Nellie is on 30th December 1907 recording that Nellie had requested and been granted fourteen days leave of absence in consequence of ill health. The nature of her illness or when/if she returned to work is not recorded.

It isn’t until 28th December 1908 that Nellie is mentioned again and this time it was resolved that the Clerk write to Supt Nurse Hitchcock sympathising with her recent trouble and enquiring when she expects to resume duty. This is followed by the entry for 25th January 1909, when it is noted that a letter has been received from Nellie, Superintendent Nurse resigning her appointment. The Clerk is authorised to sign on behalf of the Guardians a testimonial stating that Miss N M Hitchcock has been in their service “…as Superintendent Nurse since the 12th of January 1907, and that during her period of service she has performed her duties to the entire satisfaction of the guardians”. Once again with only the briefest of entries recorded in the minutes relating to Nellie’s request for a leave of absence and her ultimate resignation, nothing can be gleaned from it as to the reason behind Nelle’s actions. However, whilst researching the life of her sister Elsie Gertrude, the sister who had joined Nellie as a probationer nurse, it was found that Elsie’s death, aged only 23, is recorded in December 1908, thus being at the same time as Nellie took a leave of absence. Research revealed that Else, tragically, died as part of a suicide pact with a man. This alludes as to why the guardians sent a letter to Nellie sympathising with her recent troubles.

No records have been found so far, as to what Nellie did following the death of her sister and her resignation from Gressenhall. She does have an entry for 1910 on the Midwives Roll 1904-1959 giving an address of 103 Chestnut Avenue, Forest Gate. The 1911 census has Nellie living with her sister Lillie’s family at 145 South Avenue, Southend, Southend-on-Sea, here she is listed as Sick Nurse, Nursing Home Worker.

On the 1939 Register, Nellie is recorded as living at 61 Mayfield Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, her occupation is Health Visitor.

Nellie dies on 24 April 1942 at the age of 65, at Flat 1, Strande Castle, Cookham, Berkshire.