Harriet Loades Died A Paupers Death

Clerkenwell Workhouse 1880

Harriet Loades died a pauper’s death. She died on the 26^th June, 1854 aged 59.

Her death certificate tells us that she died from liver disease and paralysis while a resident of the Coppice Row Workhouse, Clerkenwell.

At the time of her death she was a widow. The cause of her death suggests that over time she turned to alcohol.

In her later years Harriet lived the life of a pauper. She worked as a charwoman and was one of many living in the poorhouse.

While life had been hard. Harriet did not always live the life of a pauper.

Born in Great Yarmouth near the turn of the century. Harriet Bell married Edward Loades a carpenter and joiner on the first Sunday of the new year in 1819. At the time of her marriage Harriet was illiterate. Her mark can be seen alongside her husband’s signature on the wedding certificate.

Edward was a Freeman of Borough of Great Yarmouth and worked both there and in London. The family moved to London, in the late 1820s, settling in the Saint James parish of Clerkenwell. Here both her son and husband worked as carpenters and joiners, while living in an overcrowded tenement.

Life would not have been easy in 1840s London. Yet, Harriet was luckier than most. She had her family and a husband who was in work.

In the last ten years of her life, Harriet’s life changed. She moved into the poorhouse and succumbed to the drink.

England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1MF-G72 : accessed 15 December 2015), Harriot Bell, 19 Oct 1796; citing St. Nicholas, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, reference items 4-5; FHL microfilm 1,526,328.

England, Norfolk, Parish Registers (County Record Office), 1510-1997, database with images, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNNJ-X4F ; accessed 7 November, 2015) Edward LOADS and Harriett BELL 03 Jan 1918, Marriage; citing Yarmouth Saint Nicholas, Norfolk England, Record Office, Norwich FHL microfilm 1,526,456

1841 England, Wales and Scotland Census Transcription. Street: Wellington Street, Parish or township:  St James Clerkenwell, City or borough: Finsbury County: Middlesex, Country: England, Archive Reference: HO107, Piece no. 662, Book No: 4, Folio: 37, Page 26. Accessed on line: www.findmypast

England and Wales Census, 1851,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKV2-Q7K6 : accessed 15 December 2015), Harriott Loads, Saint James Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England; citing Saint James Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England, p. 11, from “1851 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

General Register Office, Certified Copy of Death Certificate 1854, Harriet LOADES.