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.

mary ann walker

 
 

find out more about mary ann walker

Mary Ann Walker was admitted to Powick Hospital on 25 April 1863. Mary Ann was 27 years old, and diagnosed with mania.

Mary Ann was born in 1836 to her parents Thomas and Harriet Lewis. Mary Ann Lewis grew up in St Andrews, Worcester with her parents and three siblings: older brothers John and Thomas, and younger sister, Harriet Lewis. Her father Thomas was a glover, a Victorian occupation that involved either the making or selling of gloves. In 1855 Mary Ann, 20, married Edward Walker, 21. Edward Walker and his father were also glovers, and it is possible he met Mary Ann through the profession he shared with her father.

Mary Ann and her new husband Edward moved to 17 Park Road in St Peters, Worcester. The pair had their first child George in 1856, soon after their marriage. Their second child, Elizabeth, was born in 1859. Her Powick Hospital case notes explain that “two weeks after the birth of her second child she was called during the night to assist a neighbour who was confined, the labour was abnormal, and the child still born. After this she became nervous and excitable … but was treated at home.” Her case notes then go on to state that “after the birth of her third child she had a second attack.” By examining census records, this can be dated to 1861 when she gave birth to her daughter, Alice.

Mary Ann was admitted to Powick Hospital in 1863 due to her “nervous state since the birth of her last child, about nine months ago,” her daughter Martha. Her case notes appear to reveal a trend of mental health struggles post the birth of her children. Her Powick case notes describe her symptoms as “nervous temperament,” “very excitable,” “depression of spirits,” “frequently crying and very childish in behaviour.” Her case notes also explain that she believed her husband was trying to poison her; Mary Ann refused to eat unless her husband had tried the food first. She also described seeing the devil and even “attempted to strangle herself” with a handkerchief when her husband gave it her to wipe her eyes.

Mary Ann’s stay in Powick Hospital lasted six months and there is no record of her readmission. According to census records she continued to live with her husband Edward and their children. The couple had a total of twelve children until their last, Alfred (also known as Arthur) in 1882. The couple still lived with seven of their children in 1891 who went on to do various jobs. Edward was still a glover, their daughters Polly and Agnes following in his footsteps as ‘gloveress’, with their son Harry becoming a glover also. Mary Ann herself was a seamstress at this time, which is the first occupation listed in her records.

Mary Ann passed away just nine years later in 1900, reported in the Worcestershire Chronicle on March 28th. Edward continued to live with his children Harry, Arthur and Agness and a boarder George Thompson. Edward passed away in 1908, age 74.

Research by Alice Fairclough, 2024

To view Mary Ann’s patient records, click here.

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