Description:Click on the images on the left to learn more about the women below:
Sarah Eccleston: A Working Mother's Struggle, Liverpool 1846
Once a resident on the Leveson-Gower family estates in Shropshire, Sarah had moved to Liverpool to find employment following the death of her husband. One of her sons had become sick and Sarah was struggling against poverty and illness to feed her family.
Anne Chinn: Seamstress facing Homelessness, 1847
Anne’s punishing work as a seamstress had left her sick and destitute. Unable to pay her rent, she faced homelessness.
Charlotte Tarpley: A Family in Distress, Daventry 1835
Charlotte’s mother was sick and her father in difficulties, forcing her to appeal for help on behalf of her family.
Miss Rushton: Prisoner in Salop County Prison, 1847
Miss Rushton had been imprisoned in Salop for being in debt until the Duke of Sutherland intervened.
Anne Niewel: London, c. 1846-7
Anne’s daughter was suffering from a long term illness. Unable to pay for treatment, Anne was forced to appeal to the Sutherland family for help.
Charlotte Hartley: Fighting for her Cousin, France, 1835
Charlotte appealed to the Sutherland family for help in obtaining money for the widow of her cousin.
Nurse Sloane, c. 1846-7
This lady who signs her name simply ‘Nurse Sloane’ had once worked for the Leveson-Gower family. Read her appeal to the Duke of Sutherland here.
The image above shows a letter written to Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1806-1868), second Duchess of Sutherland, by Sarah Eccleston, 31st December 1846.