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b.1883-d.1902
Florence’s parents and siblings
Florence Keziah May Godbold was born on 13 December 1883 to George Jennings and Fanny Godbold. Florence’s father had been born in 1849 in London and had married Fanny Barnett on 27 February 1872 in Trinity Church in Newington. Fanny had been born in 1847 in Hampshire.
| George Jennings and Fanny Godbold’s children[RD = Registration District] | ||
| Name | Born/Baptised/Died | Notes |
| Fanny Alice | Born: 1871 St Saviour Surrey RDBaptised: 18 July 1871Holy Trinity Church NewingtonDied: 11 May 1894 Coulsdon | Living in 13 Arnott Street, Newington when baptised. |
| Caroline/Carry Charlotte | Born: 1872 Wandsworth RDBaptised: 13 April 1873 Holy Trinity Church Newington | Living in Fulham when baptised.Married William Chorley 1910 |
| George Jennings | Born: 1874 Kensington RDBaptised: 1 November 1874 Waltham Green | Living in Clyde Road St Johns when baptised.Married Alice Ruth Brett 1897 |
| William/Willie | Born: 31 December 1875Baptised: 21 May 1876 St Luke’s Church Hackney | Living in 6 Arthur Street when baptised |
| Amelia/Millie Sarah | Born: 4 July 1878Baptised: 25 August 1878St Matthews Brixton | Living in 20 Vining Street when baptised. Married Walter H Barham 1911 |
| Emily Rose | Born: 3 March 1880Baptised: 28 March 1880 St Matthews BrixtonDied: 1881 | Living in 25 Vining Street when baptised |
| Henry Thomas | Born: 7 March 1882Baptised: 24 May 1882 St Matthews Brixton | Living in 27 Vining Street when baptised |
| Florence Keziah May | Born: 13 December 1883Baptised: 27 January 1884 St Matthews Brixton | Living in 9 Vining Street when baptised |
| Minnie Edith | Born: 21 June 1886Baptised: 26 September 1886 St Matthews BrixtonDied: 1887 | Living in 25 Vining Street when baptised |
| Rose Kate Jennings | Born: 15 April 1889Baptised: 29 September 1889 St Matthews BrixtonDeath: 1889 | Living in 25 Vining Street when baptised |
In 1881, before Florence was born, her family lived at 27 Vining Street. The census shows she had six older siblings: Fanny aged 11, Carry aged 8, George aged 7, Willie aged 5, Amelia aged 3 and Rose aged 1. Both of Florence’s parents worked to support their family, her father as a Brewers’ carman [a modern-day delivery man] and her mother as a charwoman.
Florence was baptised on 27 January 1884 in St Matthews Church, Brixton. Her baptismal entry records the family abode as 9 Vining Street and that her father George was still working as a carman.
Florence’s sister is admitted to an asylum
On 18 May 1889 Florence’s oldest sister Fanny was admitted as patient into the London County Lunatic Asylum, Coulsdon, Surrey, where she died in 1894.
The 1891 census records the family living in 25 Vining Street, Brixton. Both Florence’s father and her brother Harry’s occupations were recorded as Brewers’ servants, while brother George was recorded as being a carman.
Florence attends the Sussex Road School in Brixton
Having been first educated in Effra Parade School, Florence, aged 10 years 4 months, was enrolled on 23 April 1894 into the recently newly built Sussex Road School in Brixton. There were separate gates for boys, girls and “mixed infants”, each using a separate floor of the building. After being educated there, Florence was aged 14 when she left on 29 January 1897 having been exempt from taking her Leaving Certificate.
Florence works as a housemaid
The 1901 census was taken on 30 March and records Florence’s parents and siblings, Caroline aged 27 and Henry aged 19, as still living at 25 Vining Street. Florence, recorded as Florie, was working as a housemaid for jewellers and pawnbrokers Joseph and Georgina Clark at 415-417 Brixton Road, Brixton. Florence’s sister Amelia was also working there as a kitchen maid.
A decline in Florence’s health
At some point after this census was taken, Florence was admitted to the Hospital for Women and Children. On 17 September 1901 she was transferred to the Lambeth Infirmary and eight days later, on 25 September, she was discharged into the care of Hoxton House Asylum in Hoxton. This asylum closed in 1902 and the Lunacy Patients Admission Register records Florence was admitted to Horton Asylum in Epsom on 8 March 1902.
Florence dies in Horton
Florence spent the rest of her short life in the Horton Asylum before dying there aged 18 on 17 September 1902. Her body was buried on 23 September 1902 in grave 50 in the Horton Estate Cemetery, Epsom.
