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b.1864-d.1907
Caroline was born in the September quarter of 1864, in the St Pancras registration district, London, to George Daniel Watkins, born in 1837 and Lucy Elizabeth Watkins, born in 1835.
They had married on 8th March 1857 at St Pancras Church. George had been baptised as Daniel George. His occupation was a pianoforte key maker.
Caroline was the third child of ten:
- Lucy Elizabeth (Alice) 1857
- George Thomas 1860
- Caroline Sarah 1864 – 1907
- Thomas (Arthur) 1866
- Walter 1867 – 1868
- William Joseph 1868
- Eliza 1870
- Charlotte 1872
- Albert Edward 1874 – 1874
- Emily Amelia 1876 – 1877
The 1881 Census reveals that Caroline had a problem with her hips.
Under the column for occupation, is written “Diseased Hips”. However, this has been scored through by an enumerator. Whether this was a congenital or a degenerative problem we are not able to say. Under occupation, she is not mentioned as a scholar on any of the Censuses.
On the 1901 Census, it simply says ‘none’ for the occupation. Whatever her hip problem was, it is reasonable to imagine that her mobility was limited.
In 1906 and 1907, Caroline spent some time in the Infirmary. On the 22nd August 1907, she transferred to Long Grove. She died on 31st December 1907. Her cause of death was given as emphysema and gangrene of the lung.
Her occupation as charwoman spinster of 64, Southampton Street, Clerkenwell. This was one of the houses leased by St Paul’s to be used as a parish workhouse.
Her death was registered by her brother-in-law, Albert Henry Claridge, on 1st January. It was through finding his marriage to ‘Alice’ whom I believe to be Lucy Elizabeth, that I was able to confirm George as their father. That enabled me to trace Caroline.
Caroline in buried in grave 57b in Horton Cemetery.
