Julia FARRIER
There was only one Julia Farrier in London in the 19th century.
Early life
Julia was born around 1855/6, probably in the Marylebone area. Her birth was not registered so we are not certain of her birth date. She was the youngest of three surviving children born to William Farrier, a cabinet maker, and his wife Elizabeth Cooper. She had an older sister (Hannah) and an older brother (George),
In the 1861 census the family were living at 9 Williams Terrace in Hammersmith.
Sister Hannah was married in 1868 to Frederick William Cutts.
By 1871 the Farrier family had moved back to Marylebone, and were living at 4 Cornwall Place.
A lover, and a daughter
We have not been able to find Julia in the 1881 census, but by the mid 1880s she was living with Charles Forrest, a carman. A daughter, Julia Maud Forrest, was born in January 1887.
In the 1891 census, Julia, Charles and their daughter were living in one room at 75 Warren Street, St Pancras.
Alcoholic dementia
Evidently Julia was fond of alcohol, and over indulgence took its toll on her mental condition. She was taken into St Pancras workhouse infirmary on 28 June 1899, where she was certified to be of unsound mind:
“Aspect is vacant & smiling; she says she is happy enough, is quite strong, and was never better in her life. Is going to work at 3 hotels in Euston Square. She is most incoherent & commonly wanders about the place.
“Charles Forrest with whom she has been living, says patient has become light headed & neglects herself & her home. Miss Sophia Phoebe Bryant in charge of insane ward says she is stupid & has no memory. Will not wash or dress.”
Initially she was admitted as Julia Forrest but the name Farrier was added to the register subsequently:
On 7 July 1899 she was removed to Bethnal House, and from there she was transferred to Manor asylum three months later.
“Alcoholic dementia, dull and incoherent. with some loss of memory, and slow mental reaction. “
“Tremulous facial muscles and speech impaired.”
Julia’s dementia gradually exhausted her and and she died at Manor on 12 October 1900.
Visitors
The Manor authorities recorded just one visit for Julia, from “Mrs Hardy” of 59 Bowmans Buildings in Linton Street. This was her niece Annie, daughter of sister Hannah and husband Frederick Cutts. Annie Cutts had married Harry Hardy in 1894.