Cecil Douglas JOHNSON
Cecil has a variety of birth years according to which record you see, however, I think we can settle on the June quarter 1873 as it is registered with the GRO.
He was baptised two years later on 2 May 1875, at St Marks, Tollington Park, Islington, (along with his sister Ada,) Cecil’s parents are shown as Walter Edward and Lizzie (Eliza) Johnson. Their address is given as 9, Edward Street, St Johns Wood Terrace, a modest residential area, and Walters occupation as ‘Accountant.’
Walter and Eliza Morgan’s marriage was registered in Kensington in the March Q of 1870 but I have been unable to find a certificate. I have found six children although Lizzie said five, when giving their family details later. The first two were born before they married and do not appear to have been registered. Thurlow was Eliza’s mother’s maiden name.
- Walter L 1866 – 1901 Reg in Ealing.
- Emily A 1868 Shoreditch.
- Cecil Douglas 1873 – 1916 Islington.
- Ada Mary Thurlow 1875 – Paddington.
- Ellen Maud 1878 – Kensington.
- Lizzie Thurlow. 1880 – Kensington.
1871
We first find the family in the 1871 census living at 3, Shepperton Cottages, Islington. Walter is 31yrs old and says he was born in Middlesex and is an ‘Accountant.’ Eliza is 22yrs, Walter L is 5yrs, Emily A is 3yrs. Living with them is Mary Morgan, Eliza’s sister. All say they were born in Middlesex.
When Ellen Maud is baptised on 8 Dec 1878 at St James, Norland, Kensington, Walter is shown as a ‘Gentleman’ but they are living at Windsor House, William Street, which ran off the grand ‘Norland Estate’ into an unpaved, depressed pocket known as Nottingdale, which is an historically impoverished area.
1881
By the time of the 1881 census they are living at 82, Devonshire Street, Marylebone. This appears to be a tenement with many families shown at number 82. Could this have caused the enumerator some confusion, as we find Walter, shown as below?
- Eliza 31yrs born Paddington.
- Walter L 15yrs born Ealing.
- Emily A 13yrs born South Hornsey.
- Cecil D 8yrs born Islington.
- Ada Thurlow 6yrs born Paddington.
- Ellen Maude 2yrs born Kensington and
- Lizzie Thurlow 8 months born Kensington.
Sadly, on 24 December 1881, Walter was admitted to Banstead Asylum.
He died there on 8 April 1882; his death was registered in Epsom. Banstead Asylum had its own small cemetery but I have found a burial for a Walter Johnson in Brookwood Cemetery, Woking. This was where the overfull cemeteries of the London area would send their excess burials, so this could be Walter.
According to his wife and his son Cecil, Walter died of drink, but according to his death certificate the cause of death was ‘Phthisis’ (Consumption) As you can see his occupation was shown as ‘Solicitors clerk’
Because of the conflicting pictures presented regarding Walter, I delved into his background a little further.
He actually came from a professional background, one of five children born to Edward William Johnson and Miriam Beale. Edward had been born in Lisbon, Portugal but was a British subject,
He gave his occupation as ‘General Practitioner’ in the 1851 Census when they were living at 27, Rodney, St, Islington. The children were Miriam born 1842, Walter Edward born 1843, Cecil Douglas born about 1845 (no GRO record found), Kate born 1847, and Constance born 1850.
Edward and Miriam did not marry until 2 Feb 1854, at St Giles Church, Camberwell.
In the 1861 census both Walter and his brother Cecil are shown as Solicitors general clerks, and in 1871, with Walter already married and calling himself and accountant, Cecil is still at home age 27yrs and said to be a solicitors ‘managing clerk.’ So we can see that on the face of things they are well educated and with good positions.
Sadly however, Cecil Douglas died just four years later on 24 March in Bethnal House, a private lunatic asylum, just four days after being admitted. I purchased the death certificate and it seems to say that he died of ‘Mania’ 2 weeks, and ‘Bronchitis’ 1 week.
Of course we know that Walter had named his son after brother, never dreaming, I am sure, that his son would also end his days in an institution.
Dr Edward W Johnson died one year after his son, in 1875 aged 60yrs. His ‘previous address,’ shown on his probate, was 19 Cavendish Place. In 1875 this building was used as a residential and consulting address by medical practitioners, and was closely tied to the medical community in the nearby Harley Street. His probate says that he left under £9,000.
***Who did Edward leave his money to? His wife presumably inherited and we find her in 1881, living with her daughter Constance, now Percy, (No marriage found,) and her three children. Both women are widowed.
But what about his son Walter? Apparently not doing so well, if the address in the ‘81 census is to be believed, living with phthisis, and, according to his wife, drinking. Could a little money have helped the situation?
Cecil’s mother, Eliza Morgan had been born on 22 June 1848 to George Morgan and Elizabeth Smith Thurlow. In the 1851 census her father George, is shown as a ‘Traveller in the lime trade’.
Eliza was baptised together with three brothers at St Mary’s Paddington, with the name Eliza Emma, although the name Emma never appears again. Eliza was one of eleven children.
The family lived in the St Pancras/ Paddington area particularly at 7 Wharf, Lower Wharf Road, Paddington and I wonder if George travelled up and down with the canal barges bringing lime to the many lime merchants in the area. However, as time passed George’s occupation becomes an ‘Agent in the brick trade’ and the census shows various more conventional addresses.
Following Walter’s death in April 1882, Eliza quickly remarries on 9 Nov 1882, to Harry Godden. Harry’s father George is said to be a doctor, whilst Eliza’s is a ‘Traveller.
1891
The 1891 census shows Eliza Godden, “Kept by husband,” and her two daughters Ada 16yrs and Ellen 12yrs, are now called Godden. They are living at 12, Woolpack Place, Hackney. These ‘Places’ or Courts were small multi occupancy housing for working class trades people.
Her husband is not included in the census and I have found a death for Harry Godden in May 1891 address, Roberts Rd, Pancras, age 39yrs. He was buried in St Pancras Parish Church, Euston Rd. Possibly Harry and Eliz had separated due to the difficulties with Cecil’s fits; we are later told that Harry had knocked Cecil down at some point.
In 1906, when Cecil Douglas is admitted to the Ewell Epileptic Colony she gives her address as 31, Loddiges Rd, Hackney and says that only his two sisters, Ada and Ellen are still alive.
Eliza seems to have visited her son just twice, the last time being in May 1909. When a “Death notice” was sent to her in May 1916 it was returned, address crossed out. We now know that Eliza had died in June 1910 but apparently nobody had let the Colony know. I wonder if Cecil was aware.
Admission to Ewell Epileptic Colony
Cecil Douglas Johnson was admitted to the Ewell Epileptic Colony on 28th Dec 1906; he had previously, briefly, been in the Hackney Union Infirmary and was chargeable to Hackney.
He was 27yrs old, single, and his occupation was given as a “Boot black” Cecil later said he had been doing this work for the past 12yrs “on the corner in Hackney.” He says that his worst days for fits are Saturday and Sunday due to the number of clients and having to stoop so much.”
These details and the medical and mental assessment were signed by members of the Hackney Union.
His mother, Eliza Goddens gave his details. She said that there had been no problems with his birth or development, he reached stage 5 at school aged 14yrs meaning that he could read and write and had an understanding of basic arithmetic. Eliza says that he was able to earn his living until two weeks prior to being admitted. His fits began aged about 20yrs and were frequent, occurring mainly during the day and that “he knew when they were coming.”
He was apparently “Knocked down by his stepfather” at some point. His habits are “steady and regular, and his disposition cheerful but excitable.” This present attack has lasted one week.
Eliza gives his family history as… Father died aged 33yrs of drink in Banstead. His grandfather (the doctor) died suddenly age 46yrs, he was in fact 60yrs old. Two sisters still alive. The doctor taking the notes attributes alcoholism to both Cecil’s mother and father.
Medical Certificate – He is subject to Epileptic fits and imagines that the people in the street stare at him. He hears voices and sees figures on the walls and ceiling.
Epilepsy first appeared age 10yrs (?) Mild degree of congenital mental defect. Insane heredity (Father)? Alcoholic (Father.) Vascular degeneration. Phthisis.
Mental disorder – Epileptic Insanity. Recurrent attacks of confusion and excitement, with hallucinations in association with the occurrence of fits.
On 31st Dec 1906 Cecil had his first interview with the Colony doctor, which seemed to go well.
“He gave a good account of himself, fairly quick witted but remarkably poor ability in mental arithmetic. He said he was backward at school and that his fits did indeed begin at 10yrs old.
Some evidence of Arteriole Sclerosis is visible on his face and around the waist.”
During the first quarter of 1907 we hear descriptions of Cecil that are repeated again and again over his time in the Colony. Irritable and excitable, with not inclination to employ himself. Unwilling to go out with the party to work. Very querulous, he always has an imaginary ailment to talk about. Weak minded and indolent. Morbidly irritable and excited.
Later in the year we hear that he is working in the dormitory of Thorne Villa and is usually well behaved.
In Dec 1907 the Superintendents report to the Lunacy Commissioners states, that he has
“Insanity with Epilepsy, (with a) slight degree of congenital defect. He is simple minded and periodically vacant and dependant, irritable and hypochondriacal. He is in satisfactory health and the signs of Phthisis he had on admission have cleared up, and he has gained weight.
I hereby certify that he is still of unsound mind and a proper person to be detained under care and treatment.”
Over the next few months his fits begin to increase and in August 1908 he is put on medication. He shows signs of depression but is said to work “cleanly and well in the Thorne lavatories.”
It is not until Dec 1910 that we are told of a change in his behaviour. In his end of year report Cecil is described as
“An imbecile suffering from Epilepsy. He is weak minded and, once started, continues a long account of his own abilities from which he cannot be diverted. He is intellectually poorly developed. He becomes excited and hysterical before his fits. He is well nourished and in satisfactory health. He has some chronic changes in the left lung with compensatory emphysema.”
5 Dec. “He has been very excited about his interview with the Medical Superintendent. He has hardly ceased to repeat what was said on this occasion in an excited and hysterical fashion, as of attaching symbolic meaning to small phrases. He is now refusing to work.
1911
Above is the 1911 census for the Colony showing Cecil Douglas Johnson, 31yrs, Bootblack.
This pattern continues, and in 1911 for the first time we hear of a new development when Cecil, “Had to be removed to Pine (care ward) in a condition of rigidity, holding himself tense in every muscle.” Two weeks later he is back to work, “Useful and well behaved.” He has had minimal fits this quarter. 23 July. Hysterically excited this evening at close of church service. Previously, going to church, he made an unprovoked assault on Colonist Thresher.” But by the morning he is “Back to normal and has no knowledge of last evenings “doings.” His fits increase over the next two quarters.
1912. Cecil’s fits remain steady with little mental change, he is still working well in the villa, but in June he becomes violet and strikes Colonist Atkins. In October he is transferred to the hospital and put to bed in a side room, noisy and confused, and then in December there is a large increase in the number of his fits and he has a “Hysterical attack on Christmas Day.”
In Dec 1913 the case notes end and all other information comes from the collection of loose notes. Sadly the pattern of Cecil’s of life shows a continuing deterioration over the following two years. When his fits increase he becomes violent and will attack anyone near him. He is considered a “Danger to others” and is often transferred to hospital in an excited and confused state. He still suffers periodic attacks of rigidity.
1916…21 May 1916 Cecil is “Put to bed in hospital from Thorne with an apparent attack of Influenza.”
27 (There is) “no improvement and “some consolidation of the left lung – loosing strength.”
29 “Gradually sank and died at 6.40pm. Cause of death. Influenza/Pneumonia. Signed Saml Elgee.
Cecil was buried in the Horton Estate Cemetery on 2 June 1916 in grave 2244 b.
Walter’s siblings
Walter Lionel Edward Johnson. Born 1866 in Ealing, not registered at GRO. On 31 July 1892 he married Sarah Pilton at, St Marys Church, Marylebone. He is 25yrs old and his occupation is a ‘Cook’. His father, Walter Edward Johnson is a ‘Solicitors clerk’.
It appears that Sarah had already had one son, Richard Charles, born on 18.Dec 1889 in the St Marylebone workhouse. We do not know if this was Walter’s child but on the following census of 1901 we find him included as the oldest of three boys. Richard 11yrs, Walter Douglas 8yrs and Ernest Edward 3yrs.
We also see that Walter Senior has a new wife. Sadly Sarah had died, most probably in the Dec Q 1899 registered in Paddington. Within one year Walter Snr married again to Mary Barker in Dec Q 1900. Tragically Walter Lionel Edward Johnson died in the March Q of 1901just one year after his marriage aged just 36yrs, leaving his new wife with three children to support.
Emily A Johnson. Born 1868. Emily appears in the 1881 census aged 16yrs but I can find nothing positive for her following this. She may have married or she may have died, as her mother claimed that only two of her daughter’s were alive in 1906, presumably Ada and Ellen, who were living with her in 1891.
Ada Mary Thurlow, born 1875 and Ellen Maud born 1878 were both living in 1881 census but nothing more has been found. I would like to think that they went on to have happy lives in contrast to the rest of their family.
Lizzie (Eliza) Thurlow Johnson. Born 1880. Lizzie was baptised after her father’s death on 17 April 1882 at St George the Martyr, Queens Square, Camden. The address is shown as Stamford Hill but, underneath it says “Children’s Hospital.”
It seems that there were three children’s hospitals sited in this square, Great Ormond Street, The Alexandra Hospital for children with hip diseases and, the more likely candidate in this case, The National Neurological Hospital who treated children with Paralysis and Epilepsy. Lizzie does not appear on the 1891 census so we may assume that she did not survive.
***A catalogue of loss, and a story of the downward slide of a family struggling with poverty and illness at a time when medical understanding and support was in its infancy. It has been an fascinating story to research, and I’m sure there would be much more to be found for interested family members.