amelia burlingham
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Amelia Burlingham, a trained nurse had visited Frances Stretton, prior to her admission as an inpatient to the Worcestershire Asylum. Frances’ notes also refer to the House of Rest, “across the road.” The 1901 Census records Amelia as living at 338, Birchwood Villas, Albert Park Road, Malvern with her husband Henry J. Burlingham, a brewers traveller, her daughter Margaret, aged 5 and Elizabeth Lewis recorded as “sister in law” on the Census return. This suggest that Elizabeth is Amelia’s sister.[1] This enables us to find Amelia Lewis in a number of earlier records.
Amelia Burlingham nee Lewis was born in Presteigne, Radnorshire on the 6th August, 1859.[2] Her parents were Thomas Lewis a farmer and Amelia Meyrick, both of whom were born in London. Amelia had 2 sisters, Elizabeth and Emma and a brother John. The 1871[3] and 1881[4] Census returns record Amelia living with her family in Presteigne.
In 1891 Amelia is herself recorded as “sister in law” living at Thomas Allen’s house, located at Newcastle House, Newton Road, Malvern. Thomas Allen is a brewer and married to Emma (nee Lewis), it is likely through him that Amelia would meet her future husband. Amelia’s occupation in 1891 is “governess at school.” [5] Did Amelia and Frances know each other through their shared occupation? At the time of her marriage to Henry J. Burlingham in 1897 at St. Alban’s Church, Acton Green, Middlesex, no occupation is recorded for Amelia and her address is given as 3, Fairlawn Avenue, Acton Green, London.[6] In 1901, 3, Fairlawn Avenue is occupied by a widow, Mary Meyrick, Meyrick is Amelia’s mother’s maiden name and it is posited that at the time of her marriage, Amelia was living with an aunt, her Mother’s sister in law [7] Amelia and Henry had one child, a daughter, Margaret Kate, baptised at Cowleigh on the 27th December, 1900.[8]
By 1911, Amelia, a certified nurse is living at Durban House, Albert Park Road, Malvern. Her husband is not present on Census night but other occupants are her daughter Margaret, age 14, a servant Helen Kate Thomas and 2 babies Mary and Michael Holloway, age I month.[9] Mary and Michael are baptised on the 23rd February, 1911 in the Parish of Malvern Link. The baptism date is also given as their birth date and there is a note that states “privately baptised, received June 10th, 1911.” Their address is given as Durban House, Albert Park Road. Their mother is Edith May Holloway, no father is recorded.[10] By 1921, Edith May Holloway is back living on her father’s farm at Sivington, Acton Beauchamp, Worcestershire. Michael and Mary are not present.[11] It could be that Michael and Mary have died or been adopted.
A similar story of illegitimacy can be seen in the 1921 Census record of Amelia Burlingham. Amelia is now a widow and living with a different servant and an adopted son George Mason Burlingham aged 5 years and 10 months.[12] George Mason was born on the 25th August, 1915 [13] and baptised at Malvern Link on the 23rd September, 1915.[14] His address is given as Albert Park Road, Malvern and his mother is Ada Mason, no father is recorded.
A newspaper report of a local murder trial in 1911, references Amelia Burlingham. The prisoner, was a single woman living with her parents in Great Malvern who had been accused of killing her newly born female child. The girl’s mother said she was prone to fits and found her daughter unconscious with a newly born child. The mother sent for the doctor and nurse. Amelia a “certified midwife” described how she found the child and mother, with the child “not properly attended to.” The judge instructed the jury that there was not sufficient evidence that the prisoner was conscious when the injuries to the baby occurred and the jury found her not guilty and the prisoner was discharged.[15]
Indeed, Amelia Burlingham appears frequently in the UK The Midwives Roll, 1904-1959. Her enrolment date is given as the 24th March, 1904. Her qualification is L.O.S. (Licentiate of the Obstetrical Society) achieved on the 20th July, 1892.[16] The 1916 Kelly’s Directory for Worcestershire recorded her as L.O.S, Midwife, Durban House[17] and again she regularly appears in later editions of Kelly’s Directory.
By 1939 George Burlingham is still living with his adopted mother, Amelia ( still recorded as undertaking ‘midwifery duties’) and working as a ‘machinist cycle maker.’ [18] George died at Laburnum House, Malvern in 1941 when he was only 25 years of age.[19] Amelia died too in 1941 in Laburnum House and was buried on the 11th September, 1941.[20]
What prompted Amelia to change from being a governess in 1891 to training to be a midwife and moving to Acton is unknown. As a brewers traveller her husband would be often away as indicated by the 1911 Census. However, her addresses in Albert Park Road were linked to the birth of at least 3 illegitimate children, one of whom she adopted herself. She was also called to attend another illegitimate birth, whether this was because she was the local midwife or whether she was know to help single girls is again unknown.
[1] Census Returns of England and Wales 1901.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[2] England and Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
[3] Census Returns of England and Wales 1871.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[4] Census Returns of England and Wales 1881.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[5] Census Returns of England and Wales 1901.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[6] London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns,1754-1940
[7] Census Returns of England and Wales 1901.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[8] Worcestershire, England, Church of England, Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922 (database on line), Lehi,
UT, USA
[9] Census Returns of England and Wales 1871.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[10] Worcestershire, England, Church of England, Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922 (database on line), Lehi,
UT, USA
[11] Census Returns of England and Wales 1921.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[12] Census Returns of England and Wales 1921.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[13] Worcestershire, England, Church of England, Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922 (database on line), Lehi,
UT, USA
[14] Worcestershire, England, Church of England, Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922 (database on line), Lehi,
UT, USA
[15] Evening Despatch, Birmingham, Warwickshire 11 February, 1911 p.5
[16] UK, The Midwives Roll, 1904-1959
[17] UK, Midlands and Various Trade Directories, 1770-1941
[18] 1939 England and Wales Register
[19] Worcestershire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials,1813-1997
[20] Worcestershire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials,1813-1997
Research by Clare Brindley, 2025.
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