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.

john henry tyler

find out more about john henry tyler

John was born in quarter 4 (the final three months of a census year) in 1846 at Hallow, Worcestershire the youngest child of his parents Thomas Tyler (a farm labourer and later farm bailiff) and Mary Ann (nee Garness).  His siblings are Ann born 1837, Susannah born 1838, Thomas born 1840, James born 1842 and Barbara born 1845. 

In 1851 census he is living at Sutton Common, Kidderminster, with his father, three of his siblings and his maternal grandfather (I haven’t been able to find his mother in this census).

In 1861 he is living in Wichenford, Worcestershire, with his parents, his brother Thomas and 3 of his cousins (his sister Ann has died in 1859 and I assume her husband is unable to care for their three children). John and his brother are listed as agricultural labourers.

In 1869 John’s sister Barbara dies and leaves a husband with three young children.

In 1871 census John is a general servant at the Hundred House (a coaching Inn) in Great Witley, Worcestershire.  One of his cousins is working with him as an ostler, and his sister Susannah now married with her own family lives next door.

Johns father Thomas dies in 1874.  In quarter 1, 1875 John marries Marian Westbury.  They have three children John Henry Westbury born 27 Jun 1874 in Kidderminster, Ida Violet born 14 Feb 1879 in Stourport and Charlie Bertram born 1881 in Stourport.

In the 1881 census at Swan Alley, Stourport, John is a cab proprietor, his wife Marian and three children aged six, two and two months, along with his wife’s niece aged 10 and 2 visitors.

Johns brother James dies in 1885.  His mother dies in quarter 3, 1886.

On his admission to Powick Asylum in 1887, he is listed as patient number 5412, and his details were as follows:- 

• Records for Patient 264 (private class) on 4 April 1887 from Swan Alley, Stourport. 

• Died 5 June 1887. 

• Diagnosis Dementia with paralysis. 

• A bus proprietor former Oastler(sic).

• States 6 children (probably incorrect). 

• Church of England. 

• Can read and write. 

it was noted that this was his first attack of one year and nine months duration.  Its cause was supposed sunstroke.  (Reading his presentation I suspect that a cerebral vascular accident (a stroke) had caused his symptoms).  His certifier had stated he was vacant, had a loss of memory, had fits of an apoplectic character, was dirty in his habits, has to be fed, dribbles and picks at his clothing.

He was assessed as suffering from cerebral disease and hemiplegia.  The left side of his face and limbs were affected. His left limbs being markedly anaesthetic.  He took minced food without difficulty.  His urine had to be drawn off by a catheter. 

On 24 April the entry states he sits in front of the fire daily with a vacant expression, but exhibits a childish pleasure at looking at the birds. 

No change is noted until 30 May when he is extremely restless and a sedative draught is given, which necessitates him being in a padded room at night due to his tendency to fall.  The entry for the 4 June says he is semi comatose, is difficult to feed and has Herpes Zoster (Shingles) over his left lower abdomen.  He dies two days later on 6 June.

Following John’s death, his wife carries on the cab business.  Of their three children, John and Ida marry and each have two children.  I am unable to locate Charlie after 1901. 

Marian remarries in 1892 and interestingly after her death in 1916 her widowed husband is living in 1921 with his step daughter Ida and her family. 

Research by Dee Gardner, 2025.

To view John’s patient records, click here.

Go back to find out about more people who were patients at the asylum.