Charlotte Pearson

Born 1819, died 1896
Pauper Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, 1847-1848
Researched by Nicola Sheard

Charlotte Pearson was baptised on 19th August 1819 in the parish of Tittleshall, her parents were William and Anne Pearson. William’s profession was recorded as labourer and bricklayer. Charlotte had five siblings; Elizabeth born in 1801, Thomas born in 1806, Mary born in 1810, Susan born in 1813 and Margaret born in 1816. The 1841 census taken on 6th June, recorded that Charlotte Pearson, age 20, as living Wright’s Folly, Tittleshall, Norfolk. Also in the household were Charlotte’s father William, age 70, and Charlotte’s two illegitimate children; Ann Pearson, age 3 and Samuel Pearson, age 9 months.

Charlotte first appeared in the staff records at the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse on 11th January 1847, she had been appointed as a Nurse for the Old Men’s Ward. It is not clear if Charlotte was an existing inmate or if she had been recruited from a local village.

On the 3rd April 1848, the guardians reported that, “The Visiting Committee having reported that Charlotte Pearson one of the Nurses in the Old Men’s Ward was discovered to be pregnant. Agreed that she be immediately dismissed from the situation and that Martha Wright of Mattishall be employed in her stead at the salary of five pounds per annum for the period on one month upon trial”.  There is a record of a Rebecca Pearson born in 1848 in the district of Mitford and Launditch, which is likely Charlotte’s daughter. Sadly, Rebecca died in 1850.

By the time of the 1851 census, Charlotte Pearson was recorded as an inmate at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse. She was listed as an unmarried servant, age 29. Also listed were Charlotte’s illegitimate children Ann, now age 15 and Samuel, age 9, there was a further son listed as James Pearson, age 6. On 12th May 1851, The Guardians recorded that Charlotte was to be taken before the magistrate for “disorderly conduct”. On 19th May 1851 Charlotte was sentenced to 21 days in prison.

On 14th July 1851, Charlotte Pearson married John Richarson, labourer, in the parish of St Margaret in Norwich. The 1861 census showed Charlotte and John Richardson living at Railway Gate, Garveston, Norfolk. John’s occupation was listed as a Gate Keeper. Also living with them were Charlotte’s illegitimate son James Pearson and four further children: John age 9, George age 7, Sarah age 6 and William age 4.

The 1871 and 1881 censuses showed that John and Charlotte continued to live near the railway station and John was still employed as the Gate Keeper. By the time of the 1891 census John had retired but both he and Charlotte continued to live in Garveston. In 1901, Charlotte was recorded as a widow living with two grandsons, George and Alfred Richardson, in Mattishall Road, Garveston.

Charlotte died in 1903, and was buried at the parish church at Garveston, Norfolk.