find out more about samuel whitehouse

Samuel Whitehouse was born in Oldbury c.1836 and spent his working life in various trades and locations around the Black Country. His parents were John Whitehouse, a steel caster from Tardebigge, and Sarah Milward from Oldbury. As a young boy, Samuel lived with his parents and siblings on Halesowen Street. His medical records tell us that his schooling was "primitive" and that he could neither read nor write. By the time he was 14 he was already employed in a coal works. His big brother Enoch, meanwhile, was working at the iron works.  

By the mid-1850s the family had moved to Blackheath where Samuel, Enoch and their father were all working as boat loaders.  On the 7th July 1856, 21-year-old Samuel married Esther Allen in Rowley Regis.Their daughter Martha was born in 1859 and by 1861 the young family were living on Trinity Street in Oldbury where Samuel was employed as a coal miner. At the birth of his son William in 1864, Samuel had found new employment labouring in a brickyard, and the family had moved to Hobicus Lane. Isaac Whitehouse was born 2 years later and his birth records show the family were living in The Knowle.  

At the beginning of the 1870s the family were living on Knowle Lane and were soon blessed with twins, Elizabeth and Zachariah. They were living in Blackberry Town in 1871 but by the time their daughter Esther was born at the end of 1872 they were living in Oakham.  In 1873, Samuel's brother Enoch was admitted to Hopton and Coton Lunatic Asylum where he was treated for mania. Sadly he died there, officially of a disease of the brain in November that year. Around this time, Samuel's mother came to live with him as his father was no longer able to support her, having been admitted to Sedgley Union Workhouse. In 1875 the family were living at number 10 in the hamlet of City, which is where their next daughter, Lilly Mathilda was born. Sadly that year both of Samuel's parents died; his mother of paralysis and his father of exhaustion. 1877 saw the arrival of another son, Samuel, born at number 5, City. 

The 1880s began with the birth of another child, Mary Jane, while the family were living on West Bromwich Street in Oldbury. At the time of the 1881 census they had moved yet again to Birch Field Lane and William had joined his father labouring in a brickyard. From this point things take a downhill turn as Samuel's health begins to fail.  He began developing unusual symptoms including vertigo.  His behaviour became erratic and his mental health deteriorated.  His medical records show he was being treated for "cerebral affection", but his condition worsened and he developed suicidal tendencies. In autumn 1883 he fell down in the street and had something resembling a fit. Samuel's failing health gradually took a toll on his family who would have been caring for him.  We learn from his records that by the time he was admitted to Powick Lunatic Asylum in October 1884 the family were living at 35 Tifton Road, Langley, and that Samuel had attempted to jump from a window and had made repeated threats to end his own life.  

Interestingly, his occupation is wrongly given in his medical records as shoemaker. Samuel was a brickyard labourer. However, the notes do indicate that this is the correct man as they reference his brother Enoch who died the previous decade.  Samuel's mania was attributed to a hereditary predisposition as Enoch had suffered with the same condition. We see from his notes that Samuel was talking incoherently, suffering with paralysis and restlessness, and was violent towards the night attendants. He remained in the asylum until his death on 25th January 1885, which was attributed to general paralysis and cancer of the kidneys.  

Samuel's death triggered a big shift for his family, who all relocated to Derby. His wife, Esther remarried there in 1889.   

Research by Natasha Ellakirk

To view Samuel’s patient records, click here.

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