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b.1854 – d.1923
What do we know?
The address book contains details of a son, Frederick Maple, son Henry & Edith Maple, daughter, E. Redsull with husband J.E. Redsull. A nephew and niece with the name Mosedale, a couple of friends, and finally daughter in law Mrs Ada Maple.
This gives us a lot of information to draw upon. These stories are often written backwards as we build up a life from what we know, following back the scraps of information to their family, their parentage and their birth.
Early Life
Louisa MAPLE was born in 1854 as Louisa Caroline FOX, to Robert and Maria Fox (nee Golding) in the parish of St. Luke’s, London. Robert is a Boot maker from Marlingford in Norfolk, who had moved to London to make his fortune.
Louisa was the 2nd youngest of a total of seven children born between 1845 and 1855. The census of 1851 shows Robert and Maria living at 107 Old Street, St. Luke’s, with Robert’s sister, Maria’s sister and 2 brothers (who were apprentice boot makers), plus the first 4 children, Ellen, Robert, Jane, and Maria, all of the children were born in the Cripplegate and St. Luke’s area of London.
By 1855 the family was complete with the birth of Louisa’s sister, Caroline Amelia Fox.
1870s
On 21st October 1877, Louisa FOX married Frederick MAPLE, both aged 21 (Louisa was actually 23), the witnesses are listed as father Robert and sister Caroline Fox.
In the first quarter of 1879 the birth of their first son arrived, also called Frederick James.
1880s
In the last quarter of 1880, their daughter Edith Jane was born.
The census of 1881 places Louisa living with husband Frederick, who is now a Milk Carrier, at 30 Hanley Road West, Islington, London. They have two children, Frederick (2) and Edith (6m). 2 other families are within the same address, which is in a poor part of town.
In 1882 Fredk and Louisa gave birth to William Robert, who sadly died less than 3months later and then in 1884, they gave birth to Henry Charles John MAPLE.
Time must have gotten tough in 1885; on July 28th, Louisa entered the Islington workhouse with her children Frederick (6), Edith (4), and Henry (11m). Frederick and Edith were sent away the following day, probably to a poor school. Louisa leaves the workhouse on August 15th with little Henry, but returns 3 days later on August 18th.
Louisa and Henry (1) leave again on August 31st, I believe that Louisa was 3month pregnant. 5 Months later, Louisa’s husband Frederick was admitted to the workhouse on Feb 1st, with the elder children Frederick and Edith. The next day, Feb 2nd, the children were again sent away, and Louisa arrived with baby Harry (2months), staying just 1day, leaving with the new-born baby on Feb 3rd. Frederick Snr stayed until Feb 12th when he left the workhouse. Louisa entered the workhouse on at least 3 more periods in February, March and April. I believe the youngest son Harry died at the end of February, as the record showed his entry but not discharge. Harry’s birth and death were never officially registered, suggesting a level of utter poverty. Had it not been for the workhouse records we would never have know of Harry’s existence.
I can find no records from April 1886 of the family, however in 1904 Louisa’s husband Frederick died. Louisa went on living alone in the poorer areas of London.
1911
Louisa’s youngest sister Caroline died in February 1911 and is buried in Newham cemetery.
The census of 1911 has Louisa living alone as a widowed charwoman at 24 Costermonger’s Dwellings, in East London. The census tells us that she has had 5 children, but only 3 who are still alive. This matches up with the 5 children found, two of whom died before their first birthday.
The Asylum
Louisa Maple, folio 2592, was admitted to Manor asylum on 19 December 1913. She is a recorded as a 55 year old Widow and Charwoman. She has come to the asylum from Holborn workhouse.
Her history notes that she drinks to excess, and the cause of her insanity is intemperance and alcoholic heredity. The Manor address book shows that most of her family visited only once or twice just after her admission, but her nephew Edward Mosedale (Caroline’s son) visited more frequently.
This patient is incapable of appreciating her surroundings. She imagines that she went out to work this morning (a delusion). She also imagines she is related to me (a delusion) and also the visiting magistrate.
Beatrice Emily Matthews, Day attendant, Holborn Workhouse, City Rd. N. informs me this patient imagines that she is her landlady and that she hears voices.
Medical Certificate; Facts indicating insanity observed by myself at time of examination
Louisa’s diagnosis was listed as ‘Recent Mania’. During her time at the Manor, she was described as restless, very noisy and irritable. Her history does not make a nice read. She was diagnosed around 1916 with Secondary Dementia.
On 24th July 1916, Louisa was temporarily moved to the Ewell Colony and again moved to Colney Hatch, this was whilst the Manor Asylum was functioning as a War hospital. The notes from her time as Ewell state that her memory has almost gone, whilst her notes from Colney Hatch describe a very different Louisa, stating she is harmless and demented, with no delusions.
On 16th January 1920, she is re-transferred back to Manor Asylum, and on 26th October 1920 transferred to Horton Hospital. We do not yet have any notes from Horton to see her final days.
Louisa is buried on 22nd February 1923, aged 65, in grave reference 1328b.
The Patient Address Book
Here is what we have found out about Louisa’s known acquaintances. Note, that just because they are mentioned, this does not mean they visited. Often these known associates are passed between asylum’s, workhouses and guardians.
| Relationship | Name | Address | Who they are |
|---|---|---|---|
| Son | Fredk Maple | 48 Guinness Bldgs, St. Luke, E6 | Son Frederick |
| Nephew Niece | E. Mosedale L. Mosedale | 28 Richmond Rd, Dalston, N6 | Louisa’s sister Caroline’s children Edward and Lilian |
| Son | Henry & Edith Maple | 316 High Road, Leytonstone | Son and Daughter Henry and Edith |
| Daughter & Son in law | E. Redsull and T.E. Redsull | 3 Chester St. Leytonstone, Essex | Daughter Edith Jane with husband Thomas Ernest. |
| Friend | Miss G. Pittock | 7F Block Peabody Estate, Blackfriars | Gertrude Mary Pittock went on to marry Louisa’s son henry in 1914. |
| Friend | Henry Giles | 28 Richmond Rd, Dalston, N6 | Unknown, but same address as Caroline’s son above. |
| Daughter in Law | Mrs Ada Maple | 48 Guinness Bldgs, St. Luke, E6 | Son Frederick’s wife |
| Daughter | E.J. Redsull | 49 Lincoln St., Leytonstone, Essex | Daughter, Edith Jane Redsull |
