b.1864 – d.1909
Alfred was born in September 1864 in Bethnal Green, to William age 34 and Mary age 33, her maiden name was Haddon. Alfred had 2 older brothers and 2 sisters.
In the 1860’s Bethnal Green was mainly full of tumbledown old buildings with many families living in each house. By the end of the century, Bethnal Green was one of the poorest slums in London. Jack the Ripper operated at the western end of Bethnal Green and in neighbouring Whitechapel.
In the 1871 Census the family is still living in Bethnal Green. We find William his father is a wheelwright, (someone who repairs wooden wheels) along with Mary his mother. Alfred’s siblings are John 18 who is also a wheelwright, Frederick 15, Jane 13, Phoebe 11, Alfred 6, Thomas 4, Harry 1 and Sarah Ann 5 months.
Census 1881 the family is living at 39 Burnside Street in Bethnal Green. William is still working, Frederick is now working as a bricklayer and Alfred is an errand boy. Alfred now has another brother Samuel age 4.
Unable to find Alfred in the 1891 census.
Census 1901, Alfred is now lodging at 29 Letchford Gardens, Willesden. His landlord is Frederick Harris a Railway Parcels Foreman, he and his wife Emily have 9 children. Alfred is working as a Potman/Barman.
In 1906 16 March, there was a Poor Law Removal and Settlement Record for Alfred from the Highgate Infirmary.
1907 25 May, Alfred was admitted to the Brentwood Asylum age 42. There is a note under his name ‘lunatic’.
In 1907, 18 September, Alfred Mastin was admitted to Long Grove Hospital.
Alfred died on 7 April 1909, age 44. Reference 347a.