May Elizabeth RANDELL 1867
May Elizabeth Randell born in the April quarter of 1867 in Norwich, was the eldest daughter of James Randell and Elizabeth Evans. In the census record of 1871 she is with her aunt Sarah and grandfather William on his farm in Stoven, Suffolk. Ten years later she is enjoying the company of her widowed mother and sister in the Peak District, Derbyshire. They live in the home of Charles Satchel in Rutland Terrace, Bakewell. Charles is a Surveyor of Lakes from Dorset and her mother Elizabeth is his housekeeper.
Ten years further on in 1891, she is 24 years old and has left behind the beautiful rolling hills and measured lakes of Derbyshire for the sad confines of Rainhill Asylum in St Helens, Lancashire. May was employed as an attendant in this institution. She would essentially fulfil the role of a nurse or carer in a Victorian institution which would have had vastly different measures of compassion and care to those we accept today.
The Rainhill Lunatic Asylum opened in 1851, was a stone building, and was enlarged twice within a few years of it opening. At it’s peak, it housed almost 2000 'lunatics'. It was still in use as a mental health facility until recently but one has to suspect May Elizabeth Randell could have seen the worst of it.
In October 1899 May Elizabeth was in Middlesex to marry Harry Nettleship Blundell a Wine Merchant from Richmond, Surrey. By the turn of the century they were living in New Brentford, Middlesex with one servant and no children. Nineteen Blundell infants were registered in Brentford in the next ten years, it’s probable that May and Harry produced at least some of these.
ANCESTRY ~ James / John / James / May Elizabeth
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Harry Nettleship BLUNDELL 1864
Looking back to Victorian times, unusual names seem common but Nettleship does have a certain charm. I assume that would be "His Nettleship Mr Harry Blundell".
Harry and May Elizabeth married in late 1899 and moved to New Brentford in Middlesex.
Harry Blundell was a Wine and Spirits Merchant operating in New Brentford. Harry Nettleship Blundell came from a large family and his father Charles was also a wine merchant. Harry was born at the beginning of 1864 in Richmond, Surrey and lived at least part of early life at 44 Upper Church St, Richmond. Harry's, father Charles and his mother Elizabeth were born in independent locations but both with in the bounds of London.
Should Harry have wished to return to the family home, the suburbs of Brentford and Richmond are separated by a pleasant stroll thru Kew Gardens.
In 1901 Harry and May had no children.
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