Edith and Jessie Westcott

[Devonmade]

I just wonderd what your thoughts are on this houshold in the 1901 census.

Ernest Belton (Head) 18 - Railway Porter
Alice Belton (Sister) 16 - Housekeeper
Frederick Smith 11 - Nurse Child
Joseph Cassell 11 - Nurse Child
Edith Westcott 11 - Nurse Child
Jessie Westcott 13 -Nurse child

I have an interest in the Westcott sisters.

Sue

[Jan1954]

Hello Sue,

A Nurse Child generally meant that the child was being fostered, usually for a small fee for their upkeep. This money could come from other members of the child's family or from Parish Relief.

Have you found the girls' parents in 1901 or any other members of the family?

However, it seems strange that Jessie was counted as a Nurse Child as I would have thought that she could have been working at that age.

[Devonmade]

I've found the father of the two Westcott girls. He was with three of his other children. It did not imply that he was a widower it just said that he was married. He was blind and another of his children was also blind. I really thought it odd that four children were in the care of an 18 and 16 year old.

Sue

[Jan1954]

Did they live close by? Could they have been relatives?

[Devonmade]

I've no idea if they were all related. Edith and Jessie were in the parish of St Jude, Camberwell whilst their father Henry was in Saint Chrysostom.

Sue

[Mutley]

In 1891 there is this family in Peckham

Henry Westcott Head, age 43
Emma Westcott Wife age 32
Francis H Westcott Son age 12
Edwin G Westcott Son age 8
Emily Westcott Dau age 6
Jessie L Westcott Dau age 3
Edith Westcott Dau age 1

TNA crown copyright
RG12; Piece: 479; Folio 89; Page 15

I thought that there may have been a Belton and Westcott marriage but if there is I cannot find it.

It is possible that an older person was away on the night of the census.

[Devonmade]

Hi

Emily is the blind daughter who was at home with her father in 1901 along with Gertrude b abt 1994 and Edwin b 1883.

As Jan 1954 said it is strange that Jessie was counted as a nurse child she was born in 1887 so she would have been about 14 or 15.

Sue

[Mutley]

I've found Jessie's baptism if you do not have it. Though that does not help with your original question.

[Mutley]

There is a death registration for Emma Westcott in Sept 1900 in Camberwell. She was aged 41 so it does look as if mum died and dad, being blind, could not manage but you would think that Jessie could have stayed home to help.

[Mutley]

In 1891 Alice and Ernie are the children of Ellen Belton, she was a widow and a charwoman. Living with them was Freddie Smith a nurse child age 1 year.
Mum must have taken in children and lodgers to make ends meet.
RG12; Piece: 481; Folio 103; Page 4 (TNA crown copyright)