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b.1861 – d.1909
Jane Hodley died in Horton Asylum on 25 April 1909 and was buried in Horton Cemetery on 30 April.
Who was Jane?
The Lunacy Register recorded Jane as being admitted on 18 Dec 1906. No workhouse records were found. The ‘Find a Grave’ index gave a birth date of 1861. This was all the information I had to work with.
Hodley? Hadley? Hoadly?
Was she single or married? Did she have a family? The surname was doubtful as there are very few people with that name. Could it be Hadley? Or a similar sounding name?
Therefore, I stalled Jane’s story until I was up for the challenge. On a wet and windy day, the research began.
I had an idea to check the unindexed Poor Law books, though I didn’t know which borough she had been admitted from or was charged to. Working my way through each borough I found that she had been admitted from Wandsworth Infirmary. Sadly, although there are 3 pages relating to Jane, most of the details are about where she had lived so that monies could be claimed for her care.
Fortunately, Jane had been brought to Wandsworth infirmary from her brother George’s home. He gave details. He was George Edward Holmes, his sister was Mary Jane Hoadly née Holmes.
I had found Jane.
The Hoadly name had been written and then a correction with the ‘a’ crossed through. Hodley.
Throughout the search the Hoadley name has been transcribed with different spellings.
Jane’s parents and siblings
Jane was born on 20 February 1861 to parents, father William Thomas Holmes c.1824, a Jeweller from Trowbridge Wiltshire, possible son of a Thomas Miller and wife Elizabeth.
Mother, Jane Sanderson c.1827 from Shadwell, Middlesex. Daughter of George Sanderson a Master Mariner and wife Esther/ Hester Worgan both from London.
William and Jane were married on 27 June 1852 at St Mary, Stratford Bow. It would be seven years before they started their family. First to be born was William George on 3 August 1859, next is Mary Jane (Jane) 20 February 1861, closely followed by George Edward 8 July 1862 and finally Ada Hester in the first quarter 1864. Four children within five years.
All the children were born in Southwark where in 1861 the family were living at 89 High Street, St Saviour Southwark. However, when William on 25th Sept 1859, Jane on 22nd Sept 1861 and George on 8th Feb 1863 were baptised in St Alfege, Greenwich, the family’s address was given as 8, Whitworth Street, Greenwich. This is the home of Thomas Curry and wife Bertha, née Hester Sanderson, Jane’s sister.
I haven’t been able to find Ada’s baptism record.
1861 – a ‘daring robbery’ and a tragic death
According to the 1861 census, as I mentioned before, the family were living in the High Street, Southwark. This could be accommodation over the shop where William 37 is a jeweller’s assistant, living with Jane 35, son William 20 months, Mary Jane one month, and a visitor Sarah Worgan 69 unmarried Aunt from Shadwell.
High Street, Southwark was later renamed Borough High Street.
A newspaper article was found for Saturday 23rd March 1861. It was reported that a robbery took place at the Jewellers, 89 High Street Southwark. William Holme,s the manager of the jewellers, followed and after a desperate resistance detained the thief until a constable came.
The Evening Packet Saturday 23rd March 1861.
Sadly, at the start of 1869 young Ada died age 5, her burial took place on 24 February at St Giles Camberwell.
1871 Census
In 1871 Census return, the family are now living at 171, High Street, St George the Martyr, Southwark. William 47, is still a Jeweller’s assistant, wife Jane 45, William 11, Mary (Jane)10, George 8 are all scholars. Walter E Smith a 20 year old Jeweller’s shopman, is living with them.
1881 Census
It is not known what happened to William between the censuses. In the 1881 census William 56, has no occupation and in the last column it is recorded that he is paralysed. Jane, 54, is now a Laundress. Mary Jane, 20, is a clerk at Gold Lace makers. George, 18, is a Telegraph Tube Attendant. William has left home. They family have moved to 47 Gillingham Street, St George’s Hanover Square, Belgrave, Westminster. The family of William Hallan a Grocer, Tobacconist from Ireland also lives at the address.
1891 Census
In the 1891 Census we find William, 66, occupation Jeweller (gold) Jane, 64, and George, 28, a clerk, living at 114, Mallison Road, Battersea, along with a family called Little.
Mary Jane has left home. This is the start of not knowing for certain what happens in her life. I will now refer to her as Jane.
Jane’s story
In Jane’s reception notes it states that she is a married woman, her husband being Edward Hoadley, a Decorator. Although they found no proof of a marriage it did give his date of death as 27 August 1902.
Research found an Edward Augustus Hoadley or Hoadly born in Hastings on 24th April 1864 to Frederick Hoadley and wife Elizabeth. There are numerous trees relating to Edward’s family including photographs on Ancestry
There is a speculative census in 1891 which appears in family trees connected to Edward and Jane. I have not included it in the story.
The 1900s – Edward’s death
In the 1901 census they are found living at 63, Nelson Street, Christ Church, Southwark, along with five other families. Edward A Hoadley 36, House painter and decorator, from Hastings. Jane, 39, wife, from Southwark.
Tragically Edward’s death in 1902 made the newspapers, including a post mortem.
On Wednesday 27th August, Edward had gone to work as normal, his job at the time was working in His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket. He was in the dressing room of a renowned classical actor of the time, Mr Herbert Beerbohm Tree.
Whilst on a platform / scaffolding working on the ceiling, he collapsed and fell. Post mortem autopsy revealed he died from a rupture of an aneurysm of the aorta.
Lambeth Cemetery, Tooting.
His Majesty’s Theatre was the fourth to be built on the site in 1897. Herbert Beerbohm Tree had it built with the funds from his tremendous success at the Haymarket Theatre. Charles J Phipps was the commissioned Architect. Tree lived and worked there till his death in 1917. In 1904 Tree founded the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (later RADA). He was the grandfather of actor Oliver Reed.
A tragic, life changing shock for Jane to lose her husband/partner so suddenly without any warning.
What happens to Jane after Edward’s death is a mismatch of witness statements in the investigation as to who is liable for the cost of Jane in Horton Asylum.
1906 – admission to Horton
As written in the Examination of Pauper Lunatic, dated 17th December 1906:
Re Hoadley (Mary) Jane (widow) (milliner) age 45, C of E.
Brought to the infirmary on 15th December 1906. By R O Savage, From 163 Northcote Road, Battersea.
Patient seen by James M Ricker Esq JP, on 14th December 1906 and sent to Horton Asylum on 18th December 1906.
Witness George Edward Holmes, Brother above address. Called today and states:- this patient is my sister, she was with me at my present address for only 5 days prior and up to 13th. Before that she lived at 120 Vauxhall Terrace, Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth. From 9 June 1906 to present times (2nd Dec 06, 2 weeks due to be paid today) words in brackets crossed through. At 2/6 a week, one room with Mrs Hemmett. Same address. (rent book produced) before that she lived at 116 Stamford Street, Blackfriars. (Southwark union) crossed through and Lambeth written above.
From the date of the death of her husband Edward Hoadley crossed out and changed to Hoadly (a decorator) on 27th August 1902 to 9 June 1906 and continuously without parish relief she used to go out to work to maintain herself after her husband died. I am unable to give particulars of her marriage.
18th Dec 06
Rent book for 116 Stamford St. received showing 9/6 week paid to Mrs Ross from 19th Aug 1901 to 22 Sept 1902. And for the same address from 9th Feb 1903 to Feb 20th 1905.
(but stayed on until May 1905 and was then turned out owing rent -see account of Mrs Ross.) in brackets written in red ink.
8th February 07.
Witness Mrs Hemmett. Of 120 Vauxhall Terrace, Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth.
Seen today at that address.
Was a former lodger of mine at this address. She was with me between 8 and 9 months (? dates) her brother George Holmes has her rent book – he paid me the last two weeks rent. (I produced a letter received from him and a certify and card of Mrs Hoadly’s husband’s death. She came to me from an address in Westminster. I don’t know it nor how long she was there. Before that she was at 116 Stamford Street, but I cannot say how long she was there, nor give dates. She was not known to me before coming to live here. I believe she had been a widow about two years. She was living in one room here quite alone. I know nothing of her having any children, nor anything about the Gentleman who got her a post on the stage as a ballet girl.
Mr George Holmes also seen today at 163 (not 136) Northcote Road, Battersea, produced rent book for 120 Vauxhall terrace and said he was going to try and get more information today if possible.
22nd March 1907
Mrs Sinclair seen today at 92 Tyers Street Vauxhall states :- a woman who called herself Jane Holmes was with me at this address for I week only in August last. (? date) I could not keep her as she was of such drunken habits and out late at night. She brought a child a girl about 7 yrs old about 2 days after taking a room here. I cannot say who the child was I never heard a name. I cannot say from what address she came to me, nor where she went on leaving. I understand the woman was either single or a widow but she said, I believe, the child was not hers.
Mrs Hester of 64 York Road Lambeth stated that for about 2 months last year she had a woman lodging there named Sanderson but she was a very common char woman and ? where she came from or went to.
The manager of messers Burt and Potts 63 and 64 York Street, Westminster also seen today stated they had never had a lodger by the name of Hoadly or Holmes, neither was the patient know from 64 York street York Road Lambeth by Mrs Coates.
This is all the information regarding Jane. I haven’t found a marriage to Edward Augustus Hoadley.
No Medical Examination or Reception Order.
1909 – Jane’s death in Horton
Jane stayed in Horton until her death on 25th April 1909. Age 48, Milliner, widow of ? Hodley occupation unknown. of 163 Northcote Street. Battersea. Cause of death, Tuberculosis of Lungs about 6 weeks. Tuberculosis of intestines. Perforation of intestines and peritonitis. Post mortem certified by J R Lord. Death registered by David Ogilvy acting medical Superintendent, Horton Asylum.
Poor Jane, this sounds like a very painful death.
I hope she had some pain relief, not having her medical notes I cannot say, maybe Laudanum, an Opium liquid.
Jane was buried on 30th April 1909 in Horton Cemetery grave no 357a
Jane’s family
Jane’s father William died 11th January 1897. Her death certificate shows Paralysis, Convulsions, Coma. He was in Battersea Union Infirmary.
The 1901 Census shows mother Jane, 75, and brother George, 35, living together at 67, Bennerley Road Battersea, a shared 3 storey terraced building.
In 1906 George is at 163 Northcote Road which is 0.3 miles south of the junction to Bennerley Road. I would imagine mother Jane was with him. The address taken from Jane’s admission notes.
The 1911 Census return was completed by brother William who has returned home to live with his mother and brother.
Jane is now 85, she had been married 59 years (this is to the date of 1911 and not when William died) they had 4 children 2 of whom had died, Ada and Jane. George 48, a Cellarman and William age 51 a Polisher (silver) are at 66, Bennerley Road Battersea across the street from the address in the 1901 census, a shared two storey terraced building.
In 1914 on the 9th of July, mother Jane died at home at the grand age of 88 years, widow of William Thomas Holmes, a Jewellers shop assistant. Cause of death Senile decay, certified by C Shindy MD. Death registered by son William present at Death at 66 Bennerley Road, Battersea.
In the 1921 census we find the brothers living together at 79 Ivanhoe Road, Camberwell. William is a Jewellery porter, George an Insurance office manager.
In the 1939 register we find George still living in Ivanhoe Road.
I haven’t found a positive death for William.
There was a death of a George Holmes in Camberwell June quarter 1941 age 79. This could be our man.
Author’s notes
It has been disappointing not to be able to find more about Jane’s personal life. It’s like many of these poor souls’ stories, they leave more questions than give answers.
Did Jane marry Edward? Was she estranged from her family and only turned to them when she was finally so sick and destitute? She had tried to maintain herself after Edward’s death. Maybe she turned to drink as suggested by the witness. It’s hard to believe she came across as a common charwoman. She was born into an upright working family. Had she worked on the stage as a ballet girl? Did the family not approve? Was she a milliner as stated? Maybe she was all of these during her lifetime.
Thank you to Linda Miles-Cartright for finding the newspaper article re the 1861 jewel robbery.
