OUTSIDE THE ASYLUM
Can you help George Marshall Medical Museum with a spot of family history research to find out about some people who were admitted to the Worcester City and County Lunatic Asylum in the 19th century?
Our aim is to share more patients’ stories, and to find out about their lives before admission and (where possible) after discharge.
charles henry weaver
find out more about charles henry weaver (Brookes)
Charles was born in 1845 and baptised as Charles Henry Brookes at St. John’s Church, Kidderminster on the 23rd September, 1845.[1] Charles, was the illegitimate son of Maria Brookes. Maria had been baptised on the 26th December, 1825 at St. George’s Church Kidderminster.[2] Maria’s father was Timothy Brookes, a carpet weaver by trade. On the 14th May, 1815, Timothy had married, Maria’s mother, Mary Walford.[3] By 1841 the family are recorded as living in Kidderminster with Maria’s Grandparents, Thomas and Esther Brookes, age 70 and 65 respectively. The 1841 Census records Timothy as 45 years of age and a carpet weaver, Mary his wife is 35 years of age and their children are Thomas, age 20, Mary, age 15, John age 15, Maria age 15, Charles, 5 and Martha, 1.[4] It is presumed that the three children recorded as being age 15 is a rounding issue rather than they are triplets. Timothy and Mary went on to have another son, Timothy, who was baptised on the 3rd July, 1844 at St. Mary and All Saints, Kidderminster.[5] By the time of the 1861 Census, Timothy junior is age 16 and living with his parents, Timothy and Mary Brookes at 18 Chapel Street, Kidderminster. No occupation is recorded for him.[6] Timothy, junior (Maria’s brother) is the uncle mentioned in Charles’ asylum records. Uncle Timothy was admitted to the Asylum on the 20th May 1862,[7] where he remained for the rest of his life, dying age 42 on the 12th February 1886 and is buried on the 16th February 1886.[8]
Charles’ mother Maria was married at St. Mary’s and All Saints, Kidderminster on the 31st October, 1847. Charles would be 2 years of age when his mother marries. At the time of her wedding, Maria was living in Mill Street, Kidderminster and no occupation for her is given. Her spouse was John Weavers, a weaver by trade. The family name of Weaver is often transcribed as Weavers. John was the son of a weaver, John Weavers and was living at Bark Butts at the time of his marriage. Both John and Maria made their mark on the register with an X.[9] The 1851 Census records Charles and his family as visitors to the household of Thomas Brookes and his family, at 10 Chapel Street, Kidderminster, presumably Maria’s elder brother, who was residing close to their father and mother (Timothy and Mary Brookes) and siblings who were living at 9 Chapel Street. By 1861 John and Maria Weavers are living at 5, Bromsgrove Hill, with sons Charles age 15, George 7 and William 10 months. Timothy is recorded as a General Labourer.[10] The family again appear in the 1871 Census, living in Worcester Street, with 4 sons, George, 19, William John, 10, Henry Edward and Arthur Charles, 4. Maria is working as a Factory Hand and Timothy as a Labourer in a Factory. [11] By 1881 Maria and Timothy are living with their sons Henry and Arthur at 2 Comberton Hill North.[12] The family move again, as in 1891 Timothy, Maria and Arthur are living at 33 Lesswell, Kidderminster.[13] Maria died in Kidderminster in March 1900 [14] and was buried in St George’s Churchyard on the 17th January,1900. At the time of her death, Maria’s address was given as the “Poor House”.[15] Charles’ Father, John Weavers predeceased his wife. At the time of his death he was living in Lime Street, Kidderminster and like his wife was buried at St. George’s Churchyard on the 7th February,1897.[16]
Charles was admitted to the Asylum on the 5th February,1867,[17] suffering from a “hereditary and congenital” condition, microcephaly and was described as “feeble and weak.” His records indicate that although he is able to understand some simple instructions, he is hard to understand. However, after a few years in the Asylum, the staff are able to understand his use of “ foul language.” Charles is recorded as the nephew of Timothy Brooks and inpatient, suffering from the same hereditary condition. The Asylum records state that Charles and his maternal Uncle Timothy, are similar in appearance and are able to understand each other and “communicate with signs, motions and incoherent sounds.” Throughout his records, Charles is labelled as an idiot, with “dirty habits”. These habits seems to be smearing himself with faecal matter. His physical robustness seems to have improved during his time at the Asylum, although he was often plagued with toothache. In 1885 Charles was again described as “idiotic and childlike” and it was noted he enjoyed making pom poms and playing top and whip. His 1886 notes record that he had become more ‘demented’ over the years and at times difficult to manage. January and April 1888 appears to be the last notes available for him, where he is seen to be thinner, dirty in his habits but quieter and less prone to “assaulting people who offend him.” The 1891 Census records Charles as an inpatient.[18] Charles, outlived his parents, dying in the Asylum in March, 1902, age 57. [19]
[1] Worcestershire, England, Church of England, Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922 (database on line), Lehi, UT, USA
[2] Worcestershire, England, Church of England, Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922 (database on line), Lehi, UT, USA
[3] Worcestershire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1947
[4] Census Returns of England and Wales 1841.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[5] Worcestershire, England, Church of England, Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922 (database on line), Lehi, UT, USA
[6] Census Returns of England and Wales 1861.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[7] UK, Lunacy Patients Admission Registers, 1846-1921
[8] Worcestershire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials,1813-1997
[9] England and Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915
[10] Census Returns of England and Wales 1861.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[11] Census Returns of England and Wales 1871.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[12] Census Returns of England and Wales 1881.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[13] Census Returns of England and Wales 1891.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[14] England and Wales, Civil Death Index 1837-1915
[15] Worcestershire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1997
[16] Worcestershire, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1997
[17] UK, Lunacy Patients Admission Registers, 1846-1921
[18] Census Returns of England and Wales 1891.TNA Kew, Surrey, England
[19] England and Wales, Civil Death Index 1837-1915
Research by Clare Brindley, 2025
Go back to find out about more people who were patients at the asylum.
Click here to see Charles notes for his time as a patient.
To find out more about microcephaly in our collection, click here.