Context Note: Daughter of George House, a gamekeeper at Milton Abbas. MILTON ABBAS. SUICIDE BY STRYCHNINE. - A melancholy case of suicide occurred in this neighbourhood on Wednesday last, the victim being a young girl named Elizabeth Jane House, who was only 15 years of age. The poor girl had been for some time in … Continue reading Suicide by strychnine: Elizabeth Jane House, 1866
Lunacy
Death of Hannah (Dorey) Williams, 1856
Context Note: She was from West Lulworth, Dorset, and had married Elias Williams there in 1853. Their daughter, Charlotte, was born in 1855/6 and christened at West Lulworth on 6th January 1856 - merely a few months before Hannah died. Superintendent Registrar's District - Dorchester Registrar's District - Maiden Newton 1856. DEATHS in the District … Continue reading Death of Hannah (Dorey) Williams, 1856
Frederick Walshman Saumarez in the madhouse
Context Note: Frederick Walshman Saumarez was nephew of Rev. Thomas Le Mesurier (1756-1822). He lived to the grand old age of 90, dying in 1885. The family members mentioned in the article are presumably his siblings Carteret (Saumarez) Gimingham, Paul Saumarez (1798-1876) and Martha (Saumarez) De Havilland. Frederick outlived all of them. THE MADHOUSE SYSTEM. … Continue reading Frederick Walshman Saumarez in the madhouse
Death of Ann (Lee) Simmons, 1851
Context Note: Given Ann's extensive time in the asylum system, the cause of death seems to gloss over the reality of her mental condition and the profession 'servant' feels optimistic. Dr Bucknill is mentioned in the article here. Superintendent Registrar's District - St Thomas Registrar's District - Kenton 1851. DEATHS in the District of Kenton … Continue reading Death of Ann (Lee) Simmons, 1851
Opening of Plympton House asylum, 1835
Context Note: Ann (Lee) Simmons was classed as a pauper and resided there in 1841. And the asylum's sales pitch below was certainly not true... LUNATIC ASYLUM, PLYMPTON HOUSE. DR. JAMES DUCK respectfully informs the Public that he has opened PLYMPTON HOUSE, near PLYMOUTH, as a PRIVATE ASYLUM, for the reception of persons afflicted with … Continue reading Opening of Plympton House asylum, 1835
Pauper lunatics in Devon
Context Note: Ann (Lee) Simmons was one such pauper lunatic, and one of the first admissions to this new asylum, on 2nd August 1845. PAUPER LUNATICS. THE Learned Recorder of Exeter, in his Charge to the Grand Jury, directed particular attention to the Pauper Lunatic Act passed during the last Session, which Act not only … Continue reading Pauper lunatics in Devon
Burial of Thomas Simmons of Bridford, 1834
Context Note: Thomas had been full-time carer for his 'lunatic' wife, Ann (Lee) Simmons. Although their three daughters may have had some part to play in her ongoing care, it's presumably shortly after this death in 1834 that Ann had to be admitted to the county asylums. She was certainly housed at one by 1841, … Continue reading Burial of Thomas Simmons of Bridford, 1834
Lunacy Commissioners’ report on Plympton House
Context Note: One of the most sobering pieces. Ann (Lee) Simmons was certainly one of the pauper inmates at this time. In 1845 she was transferred to the Devon County Asylum at Exminster. The Asylum at Plympton, in Devonshire, was first visited in October, 1842, when ten persons were found under restraint. One of them … Continue reading Lunacy Commissioners’ report on Plympton House
Conditions at Plympton House lunatic asylum, Devon
Asylum[edit] It is reported a Dr Duck became a tenant around this time, using it as a private lunatic asylum.[8] The identity of the mysterious Dr Duck is not clear but it seems that the asylum was set up in 1835 (possibly earlier) with Dr R. C. Langworthy as the proprietor and the 1841 tithe apportionment … Continue reading Conditions at Plympton House lunatic asylum, Devon
1851 census – Devon County Asylum, Exminster
Context Note: Ann was admitted here on 2nd August 1845, probably direct from the Plympton House Asylum (see 1841 census), and remained here until her death later in 1851. She is recorded as 'married' but her husband had died in 1834. She was also more like 65 years old. The truth is, the authorities probably … Continue reading 1851 census – Devon County Asylum, Exminster
1841 census – Plymouth Lunatic Asylum
Context Note: Ann was one of dozens of patients listed at the Plympton Lunatic Asylum, proprietor James Duck, M.D. Conditions there were squalid to say the least (see here). Name of the Institution - Plympton House Asylum NAMES of each Person who abode therein on the Night of Sunday, June 6th.Ann SYMONSAge of Males.-Age of … Continue reading 1841 census – Plymouth Lunatic Asylum
Death of Ann Whatley, 1881
Context Note: What form the mania took is unclear, but it was quite possibly in the street itself. Emily was a daughter of Ann's eldest sister Sarah. No.151When and Where Died.Thirtieth September 1881Grove Alley, BrutonName and Surname.Anne WHATLEYSex.FemaleAge.54 yearsRank or Profession.Domestic ServantCause of Death.Acute maniaAstheniaCertified by R A Lambert M.D.Signature, Description, and Residence of Informant.Emily … Continue reading Death of Ann Whatley, 1881
Commission of lunacy
COMMISSION OF LUNACY. On Saturday a commission of lunacy was executed at Cooper-house Lunatic Asylum, before Commissioners Whitmarsh, Winslow, and Blount, to inquire into the state of mind of the Rev. Paul Saumarez. The unfortunate gentleman, who was the subject of the inquiry, is about 33 years of age, and is the nephew of Lord … Continue reading Commission of lunacy
Will of Dr Richard Saumarez, 1835
Richard Saumarez, Esquire A In the name of God, Amen I, Richard Saumarez, late of the parish of Newington in the county of Surrey, and now residing in the Circus at Bath, always in mind of the instability of human life and being desirous to make such disposition of my property as may prevent all … Continue reading Will of Dr Richard Saumarez, 1835
Access to lunatics
ACCESS TO LUNATICS. - The following interesting and important letter appeared in the Times last week addressed to the Editor:- Sir, I noticed in your journal of the 12th inst., that a petition relative to lunatics had been presented by Sir Charles Burrell to the House of Commons, and that the petitioner had been denied … Continue reading Access to lunatics
Charge of lunacy
Context Note: Paul Saumarez was nephew of Admiral Lord Saumarez, nephew of Paul Le Mesurier (1755-1805), nephew also of Rev Thomas Le Mesurier and others. To the EDITOR of the GLOBE. Hans Place, May 24, 1839. Sir, - It is with great unwillingness I intrude the case of my brother, the Rev. Paul Saumarez, rector … Continue reading Charge of lunacy
Trying to benefit from her lunatic husband’s estate
Context Note: Frederick Walshman Saumarez and Charlotte Taylor had married on 13th January 1823 at Manchester Cathedral. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF CHANCERY, - TUESDAY, DEC 9. The Lord Chancellor sat to-day in his private room. PETITION OF LUNACY. EX-PARTE SAUMAREZ IN THE MATTER OF SAUMAREZ. It will be recollected that a woman whose maiden name … Continue reading Trying to benefit from her lunatic husband’s estate
Tried for bigamy
ASSIZES. LANCASTER, AUGUST 16. CROWN SIDE. Before Mr. Justice Bayley. BIGAMY. - IRISH MARRIAGES. CHARLOTTE REILLEY, alias SAUMAREZ, aged 28, was indicted for having intermarried Frederick Walsham [sic] Saumarez, her former husband, John Reilley, being then alive. Mr. Serjeant CROSS (with whom was Mr. Ashworth) stated the case to the Jury. Some months ago Mr. … Continue reading Tried for bigamy
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