MAID
Situated in the Unconsecrated/ East Section of Jesmond Old Cemetery.
The simple inscription on this cross reads ‘Elvira Fell Asleep 14th February 1913’; not much to go on, bless her, in order to reveal more about her life. Even in Alan Morgan’s book on Jesmond Old Cemetery, entitled ‘A Fine and Private Place’, he alludes to the mystery surrounding Elvira, suggesting that she may be the maid mentioned in local legend who was murdered at Millfield House in Jesmond Dene, her ghost supposedly haunting one of the upper windows there. However, whilst we cannot totally refute this tale, we can be pretty certain that ‘our’ Elvira did not live at Millfield House and was certainly not a murder victim!!
So, through the magic of the Census Records we can now add some substance to Elvira’s life – interestingly, although she was always recorded as working as a maid in some capacity, through her employment, she came into contact with quite a variety of notable people. Although there is no clue as to when Elvira came to England, we do know she was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in about 1861. In the 1881 Census, Elvira Youll (for this is where we find out her surname), is recorded as being ‘23’ years old and working as a ‘Housemaid’ in the household of Andrew Peter Anderson, a General Merchant, living with his family in Haldane House, Jesmond. Interestingly, Andrew was also born in Copenhagen, so, perhaps, the young Elvira was known to the Anderson family and she was invited to join them in their new adventure in Newcastle? Andrew was obviously successful, becoming an Alderman, Sheriff and, ultimately, Mayor of Newcastle in 1903. Following his death in July 1919, Andrew Peter Anderson was buried in Jesmond Old Cemetery.
By the time of the 1891 Census, Elvira is now living at 82, Jesmond Road, and recorded as being ‘32’ and working as a ‘Domestic Servant, Waiting Maid’, for a Mr. Isaac Dickinson, a ‘Bank Manager’.
In the 1901 Census, Elvira is recorded as being ‘37’ and working as ‘ ‘Washing Maid’ in Fernwood, Clayton Road, Jesmond, the home of Walter Runciman, Shipowner, who is also buried in Jesmond Old Cemetery.
Come the 1911 Census, Elvira is recorded as ‘Eva Youll, aged 48, single’ and a ‘Housemaid (domestic)’ at 3 Osborne Terrace, Jesmond. The house had 16 rooms, so she would have had her work cut out!
The 1911 Census record for 3 Osborne Terrace.
Also recorded as living there was a Helen Irene Moss, a ‘Medical Practitioner’, aged 31and is also recorded as being ‘Locum Head’, presumably of the household. This is clarified when one looks at the signature of Helen on the Census document, whereby she confirms that a Dr. Ethel Williams was the actual ‘Head’ of the Household. So, why wasn’t Ethel Williams not formally identified on the Census sheet? Firstly, a bit more about Ethel; born in Cromer, Norfolk in 1863, she attended the London School of Medicine for Womens, graduating in 1891. After gaining experience in Paris, Vienna and London, Ethel moved to Newcastle, becoming the first female doctor to practise there. She founded a general medical practice in Ellison Place and co-founded the Northern Women’s Hospital, which is now the Nuffield Health Clinic on Osborne Road. Ethel was also a suffragist and pacifist, becoming President of the Newcastle and District Women’s Suffrage Society. So, it turns out that when the 1911 Census was being taken, Ethel participated in the suffragette boycott to evade being enumerated!! What a woman….in 2018, a blue plaque was placed at 3 Osborne Terrace in her honour. Read more about her fabulous life here.
Also recorded as a ‘visitor’ at the same address was a Clementina Mary Gordon, ‘Organising Secretary National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies’ – further evidence of Ethel’s political interests.
Elvira’s Death Certificate records her death in the Royal Victoria Infirmary on 14 Feb 1913, aged 52 years, a Spinster and Domestic Servant, of 4 Saville Place, Newcastle. At that time, this address was a Y.W.C.A. Elvira’s Cause of Death was ‘Combined Sclerosis’ and ‘Heart Failure’; so, definately not a murder victim.
Elvira’s Death Certificate.
So, not an unknown ghost at all; rather, a woman who made a new life in Newcastle and, during the course of her duties, one can imagine her being an observer of and, hopefully, a contributor to, in some nice way, the personal life journey of her many employers.
One last mystery to solve is who bought and paid for her grave and headstone? Watch this space.