Florence Maud CATTAWAY

Florence Maud CATTAWAY

Florence Maud Cattaway was born in Westminster on 17th January 1880 to James John and Fanny Cattaway (nee CAREY).  Florence was their first child, and she was baptised at the aged of 7 or 9th November 1887 at St. John, Smith Square, Westminster.  Florence’s baptism took place on the same day as her siblings: Beatrice, Frank, Ellen and Herbert.

At the time of her baptism the family were living at 49 Millbank Street, and her father was an accountant.

Florence’s father, James, had been born in Orsett, near Grays, Essex and was baptised at St. Giles & All Saints, Orsett on 31st August 1851 to George & Grimble Cattaway (nee HALL). Her mother, Fanny (Frances) was born  about 1860, possibly in Chelsea.  I have not been able to find a marriage entry for her parents however.

1881 Census

When the 1881 census was taken, Florence aged 1 is living with her parents at 11 Rush Hill Terrace, Lavender Hill.  Her father is described as an accountant, born Grays in Essex.

Over the next 17 years, Florence gained the following siblings:

• Beatrice Louise b. 18.1.1882; m. William HOLLAND on 15.4.1906; d. 19.1.1966
• Frank William Carey          b. 10.8.1883; m. Clara JUPP on 30.5.1918; d. 1961?
• Ellen Agnes                         b. 29.4.1885 per baptism; m. George Wm. HARTLEBURY on 23.6.1912 FreeBMD has Ellen’s birth as 1887
• Herbert George b. 29.4.1885; m. Martha SCOTT in 1915; d. 1932?
• James John                         b. 9.6.1889
• Walter Charles                   b. 1891
• Edward Henry                    b. 18.1.1894; d.26.11.1923
• Frances Emma                   b. 1896; d. 1896?
• Frederick Arthur               b. 24.3.1898; d. 1899?

1891 Census:

Despite an extensive search, I have been unable to find any of the family on the 1891 census.

Death of father

When Florence was 19 years old, in 1899, her father died aged 54; her youngest sibling, Frederick also died this year so perhaps there was an illness in the family.

1901 Census

When the 1901 census was taken, Florence aged 21 was living at 37 Nursery Row, Newington with her widowed mother Frances (59), a vellum sewer/binder and siblings Beatrice 19, Ellen 15, Herbert 13 and Edward 7.  Beatrice and Ellen are working as book folders and Herbert is a ‘van boy’. Florence is not working and the census states that she is ‘deaf’.

We don’t know if Florence was born deaf – there are various factors that could cause deafness: it can be inherited but it can also be caused by infections/diseases like meningitis, scarlet fever, mumps or measles.

Florence’s mother was a vellum sewer (or binder); this was a specialised worker, often a woman, responsible for sewing together the pages, sections or sheets of heavy-duty account books, ledgers and legal volumes. Vellum is made from animal skins – it is exceptionally strong and often used for legal and government documentation.

I found one of Florence’s younger brothers, James John aged 11 (born 1889) living as an inmate at The National Incorporated Waifs Association in Mile End so perhaps after their father’s death the family were split up.

Asylum Journey

On 13th August 1902, Florence is admitted to the Newington Workhouse in Westmoreland Road from the Infirmary.  It gives her occupation as ‘book folder’.

The following month on 5th September, Florence was transferred to Manor Asylum where she died on 10th March 1903. Florence died from phithsis (tuberculosis or TB), a disease primarily affecting the lungs. In the 19th century, as many as 1 in 6 people died from TB due to the ease with which it spread in crowded conditions.

Visitor’s Book

The visitor’s book for Manor lists three visitors but no dates. First, it lists her mother, who gives her name as Florence; another entry simply states ‘mother, sisters and brother’ and the third lists a friend, William Holland (this is her sister Beatrice’s husband) – all 3 give their address as Nursery Row.

There is another puzzling entry which says “visitors to attend funeral arrived at 11:50 instead 11:00. Does this mean they missed the funeral completely?

Florence’s Family after her death on the 1911 Census

Florence’s mother Fanny is living 3 Jesmond Street, Walworth with children Ellen, Herbert, James and Edward. Married daughter, Beatrice is also living at this address with her husband but is shown on a separate schedule.

Brother Frank is absent because was serving with the Royal Navy

Remaining brother, Walter Charles aged 18 is an inmate at Dr Barnardo’s Homes, 30-6 Stepney Causeway Commercial Road East, Ratcliff.

I also found Florence’s 80 year old grandmother, Grimble Cattaway living as an inmate at Brighton Workhouse.