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.

lydia yarnall

Mentions of suicide.

find out more about lydia yarnall (nee watton 1856-1933)

Lydia Elizabeth Watton was born in 1856 at Claines, Worcestershire. Her parents were John and Hannah (nee Harris) Watton however, no christening was accessible in this research.

Census records show that Lydia had nine siblings, Martha Eleanor (1855 - 1915 marr David Millard), Sarah Jane (1858 – 1879), Charlotte Amelia (1859 – ? marr Thomas Jones), Jessie John Harris (1861 – 1915 marr Sarah Collier) Albert James Theodore (1862 -1939), Annie Maria (1864 - ), Earnest Archibald (1866 –1939 marr Eliz Rebecca Harding), William Harry Stewart J (1868 - 1931) and Ada Louisa (1871- 1938 marr Thomas Richard Corbett then Alfred Preston).

In 1861 Lydia is recorded as the daughter of John Watton (transcribed as Walton in Ancestry) who is 31 and a relieving officer, he was born in Feckenham, Worcestershire. He is living with his wife Hannah age 31, and his children Martha (6), Lydia E (4), Sarah J (3), Charlotte A (2), Jesse J H (2 weeks). Alongside the family is a house servant Sarah D Mann who is 14. They are all living at Sandy Way, Claines, Worcestershire. A relieving officer was responsible for the relief of the poor in a specific district. This occupation was established under the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act with the key responsibilities of administering poor relief by investigating applications, assessing needs including sickness and destitution, and deciding whether to grant assistance. This assistance included money, workhouse admissions or medical care. John would have been the main person for the poor to contact if they needed help. An interesting insight to this occupation is found at the following link https://leamingtonhistory.co.uk/the-relieving-officer/

Prior to Lydia’s birth John gave notice to the Board of Guardians resigning his post as Porter of the Union.

“John Watton, the late Porter of the Union, stating that he had been appointed Relieving Officer of the Claines district of the Droitwich Union, and that he was desirous of entering on his duties on Wednesday next. The resignation was accepted, and the Clerk was ordered to cause an advertisement to be inserted in the Journal and Herald, and also the Birmingham Journal for a person to fill the office of Porter, at a salary of £20. Preference to be given to a shoemaker applying, and an increase of salary would be given in case such an one were appointed”

— Berrow's Worcester Journal 22 April 1854

Further understanding of John Watton’s occupation is found when he was appointed Inspector of Nuisances for the Claines district at the fortnightly meeting of the Board of Guardians This consisted of the parishes of Claines, Crowle, Himbleton, Huddington, Hindlip, Martin Hussingtree, Oddingley, Salwarpe, Tibberton and Warson. (Find my Past, Newspapers, Berrow’s Worcester Journal October 12 1867).

This newspaper also reported on John passing information to the County Magistrates’ Office of those neglecting to support family who had become chargeable to the Droitwich Union. (FindMyPast, Newspapers, Berrow’s Worcester Journal, December 21, 1867, also 14 October 1854, 24 June 1871, 6 March 1880).

By 1871 Lydia aged 14 is a general servant working for William Barlett a clerk in needle manufactory, and his family at Bromsgrove Road n Redditch. Lydia is recorded as having been born at Fernhill Heath.

Despite the sadness of the following incident, we can hear the words of John and Hannah who were called as witnesses at the inquest of an unnamed man who had shot himself just near their house in Sandy Way (Berrow’s Worcester Journal August 21, 1869). Hannah says “I ran to the place he pointed out to me, and I there found a man lying in the ditch. He was quite dead…. I had not…heard any report of firearms. I sent for the police-constable and waited until he came…My house is about 100 yards from the spot at which I saw the deceased man lying. About ten minutes before the deceased passed my house I saw him standing at a gate on the road nearest to Worcester. He was leaning over the gate – I thought looking at the men harvesting in the field adjoining”. John along with others conveyed the body to a house.

Lydia’s parents were living at Fernall [sic] Heath in 1871. Her father, John (41) continued to be a relieving officer (registrar) and lived with his wife Hannah (41) and their children Sarah Jane (13), Jessie Jno Harris (10), Albert James Theodore (9) Annie Maria (7), Earnest Archibald (5), William Harry (3) and Ada Louisa (3 months).

In addition to John’s other duties, we learn in Berrow’s Worcester Journal that in 1872 he was also the Registrar of Births and Deaths for Claines. (FindMyPast, Newspapers, 1872, 22 June).

A Valentine’s wedding sees Lydia married to Alfred Yarnall on 14 February 1876 at the age of 20.

Shortly after the birth of her first child, Daisy, 30 April 1876 (date from 1939 register), Lydia was admitted as a patient on the 25th May 1876. She was diagnosed with acute puerperal mania (modern term: postpartum psychosis) and released on 2nd October 1876 having recovered.

Powick Asylum regularly features in Lydia’s life as Alfred was an attendant there. Alfred’s father Barnaby Yarnall having previously been a victualler at “The Vine, Horse Fair” in Kidderminster (1861 census) is recorded as an attendant at the Powick Asylum in the 1871, 1881 and 1891 census’, Lydia’s sister Sarah Jane died in 1879 at Powick Asylum, after a few days’ illness aged 22… She had been an attendant for upwards of two years. (Berrow’s Worcester Journal December 13, 1879). Lydia’s eldest sister Martha Eleanor was also an attendant at Powick Asylum later being appointed Matron at another asylum (see below). Lydia’s eldest daughter Daisy also becomes a nurse (of the insane) at Birmingham District City Asylum and is registered there in the 1901 census and is recorded as a retired mental hospital sister in the 1939 register where she is living with George and Gertrude Yarnall in Birmingham. Daisy achieved her MPA registration at City Mental Hospital, Winson Green, Birmingham on 18 Dec 1923.

By 1881 Lydia is now 24 years old, Alfred her husband is 28 from Kidderminster, and a porter in the asylum. They are living at Bowling Green in Powick. Their children Daisy (4) and Harry (3) are also living with them.

The Berrow’s Worcester Journal, November 19, 1881, records the marriage of Lydia’s brother Jessie John Harris Watton on November 7, at St. Stephen’s Claines, by the Rev. T. G. Curtler, assisted by the Rev. Crowther, as eldest son of John Watton, relieving officer, Claines, to Sarah, daughter of Robert Collier, Worcester.

Berrow’s Worcester Journal 1884 reported that on November 20th at St Stephen’s Church, by the Rev. T. G. Curtler, Ernest Archibald, third son of Mr John Watton, relieving officer, Claines district, to Eliza Rebecca, second daughter of Mr E. Harding, of the Bell Inn, Droitwich Road.

Lydia’s eldest sister Martha Eleanor who had previously been an attendant at the asylum (Powick) was in the 1881 as an attendant at the Berks County Moulsford Asylum, In August 1885 she was appointed by the Moulsford (Berks) Asylum Committee as matron, “at a salary of £50 per year with an increase of £5 for two years. The Chairman said the Committee had much pleasure in presenting Miss Watton with a gratuity of £10 for her attention during the illness of the late matron” (Berrow’s Worcester Journal. In 1888 at St Stephen’s Worcester and age 31 Martha married David Willard an organist, in subsequent census’ they can be seen to have moved initially to Ventnor on the Isle of Wight and then to Staines where she died in 1915.

Lydia and Alfred had their third child John Aubyn George registered in the first quarter of 1890 at Kidderminster.

Alfred age 37 is found as an attendant at the Birmingham City Asylum on the night of the 1891 census. However, Lydia and their children Daisy, and John could not found. Harry is staying with Alfred’s brother George at Farfields, Kidderminster.

In 1901 Lydia is living at 1 Kirby Rd, Birmingham with her husband and one son.

Alfred Yarnall, Head, married, 47, Lunatic Asylum, Inpatient attendant, worker, born at Kidderminster

Lydia 44, born at Fernhill,

John A son, 11, born at Kidderminster

Aybin S [looks as if his name is crossed out] no further details along this line.

No further information was found about Lydia until 1911 when she was still living with Alfred.

Address: 17 Tew Park Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire.

Alfred Yarnall 58 retired asylum attendant; Lydia Elizabeth married 35 years, 3 children all living, John Aubin George son age 21 single, chaser & modeler (brass department).

The 1921 census shows Lydia still at 17 Tew Park Road, Handsworth as follows:

Alfred Yarnall (transcribed as Garnall) Head 68y 2 mths marr Kidderminster, Worcestershire, Infirmary Attendant, Birmingham Guardians, Erdington House, Erdington.

Lydia Elizabeth Yarnall (transcribed as Garnall) wife 64y, married Fernell Heath, Worcestershire, household work.

Alfred died 19 June 1922, and his probate records his address as 17 Tew Park Road Handsworth. He died at Dudley Road Hospital Birmingham leaving £489 5s 5d to George Aubyn Yarnall, pattern maker.

Lydia can be found in the Electoral Registers between the years 1919 and 1933 still living at 17 Tew Park Road.

Lydia’s death was registered in 1933 and confirmed by the gravestone at Handsworth Cemetery:

“Sacred to the memory of

Alfred Yanall

Devoted husband and father

Who died June 19th 1922

Aged 70 years

Beloved By All

Also Lydia Elizabetgh

Devoted wife of above

Who died November 17th 1933

Aged 77 years”

— Handsworth Cemetery Gravestone

After Lydia and Alfred’s deaths their children Daisy, Harry and John continued to live in the Birmingham area.

Daisy is found at the City Asylum, Lodge Road, Birmingham as a nurse to the insane in the 1911 census, having been recorded as being registered on 18 December 1923 in the General Nursing Council for England & Wales with the residence of Handsworth in the year of 1928.

The 1939 register shows Daisy living at 24 Ashwin Road, Birmingham, with her brother (John) who was recorded as George A. J. Yarnall (birth 6th February 1890), a foreman Polisher & [Bondensing], Part time air raid… Gertrude H, Yarnall, (26th April 1896), Housewife, Eileen G. Yarnall (6th April 1919), single, Shorthand typist, govt aircraft, (married Baker and Freer) and another person whose details are officially closed. Daisy’s date of birth is (30 April 1876), she is single and her occupation is mental hospital sister, retired.

Daisy died April 1949 in the Birmingham registration district.

Harry married Phoebe Wall on 30th July 1899 at Holy Trinity, West Bromwich. He was 23 years old and living at 55 Neal Street. In the 1901 census he is recorded living at 63 Neal Street, West Bromwich and working as a general labourer, living with Phoebe and their one year old son Harry.

By 1911 Harry is 24 a gardener for an iron merchant, living at 20 Edward Street, Wednesbury. With Harry is his wife Phoebe, 32, they have been married for twelve years and have five children, Harry, 12, Arthur 9, George 7, Daisy 3 and Ida 1 month.

Harry is a castor of dies in the 1921 census working for Darlaston, W Martin Winn & Co. and living with Phoebe; their family has now increased to nine children. Harry the eldest is now away from the immediate family, Arthur (19) a motor assistant, George (18) a Heater, Daisy (13 years 10 months), Ida 10 years 10 months, Alfred (8 years 2 months), Elsie (6 years 3 months), Jim (3 years 4 months), Millicent (1 year 5 months).

The 1939 register shows Harry and Phoebe at 14 Edward St, Wednesbury, he is a works gardener and with their youngest two children Jim (date of birth 27 Sept 1917), a motor spring machinist and Millicent (date of birth 11 January 1920) working as a nut and bolt sorter.

Harry died in January 1951 at Wednesbury, Staffordshire.

John was married to Gertrude Hannah Edwards in 1918, Birmingham. His daughter Eileen Gertrude Yarnall, was born in 1919. All three are living at Ashwin Road, Handsworth in 1921, with John working as a metal pattern maker in a brass foundry.

John is also in the Birmingham, England, Electoral Registers 1918 at Tew Road, with his parents and subsequently from 1919 - 1962 at Ashwin Road, Birmingham. John died 15 January 1962, Birmingham, with probate on 9th March 1962:

Yarnall John Aubyn George otherwise George Aubyn John of 24 Ashwin Road Handsworth, Birmingham died 15 January 1962 at The Dudley Road Hospital Birmingham, Administration Birmingham 9 March to Gertrude Hannah Yarnall widow. Effects £1723 6s.

lydia’s asylum Medical Record

Lydia Elizabeth Yarnall at 20 married (1 child), Housewife, Church of England. Read & right. Admitted 25th May 1876 from Kidderminster. No 3416 Acute Puerperal Mania

This is her first attack of about two weeks duration, the cause being confinement about a month since. She is neither epileptic nor dangerous to others but is probably suicidal as she has asked for knives and scissors.

Her certificate states that she is excitable and at times violent in her manner. That she talks incoherently & appears to have little or no control over her actions and that she tears her clothes and charges those about her with poisoning her food.

She is a pale anaemic looking woman, of moderately good bodily development, with the exception of a few [m. --- ] to be heard over the chest her various thoracic & abdominal organs appear to be acting normally, there is a little milk in the breasts and a slight uncoloured discharge from the vagina. She is suffering from acute mania, she is very excited & [---], her mind is confused and wandering, her habits are destructive & [p ---].

She is quite unable to control her actions, rolls about the floor of her room, is very nervous, & agitated and constantly bursts into tears, tears off her own clothes & appears to have lost all idea of moral respect or decency, passes wakeful & disturbed nights. Has been ordered a nourishing dish and is to have a C drought at bed-time.

June 15th There is no special change she is still intensely excited, constantly swearing and shouting & using most obscene language. Is very destructive in her habits.

Aug 1st Her excitement has to a p--- extent passed away, her manner however at times very strange, she is obstruct[ive], and has frequent hysterical attacks.

Oct 17th Her bodily health and condition are in a satisfactory state she is now quiet, rational and her demeanour and manner are controlled and intelligent, she still remains rather reserved and reticent but even when well this was always [noted]

Oct 30th The improvement mentioned in last note still progresses satisfactorily

[Sept] 4th She was this day allowed out on trial under the care & protection of her friends.

[Oct] 2nd Discharged recovered.