Welcome to the April 2003 edition of our family newsletter.

There has been a deal of activity on our family site in the past month. Thanks to Margaret for posting more of the Brangwyn panels. What a massive work they must have been. Also, our Canadian connection has been highlighted. It would be great to find this missing part of the family.

Over the next few months I will be posting more of Kent's collection of family photos. This is indeed a treasure trove.

Our family continues to expand as we find more Brangwin descendants or are found by them. It is great to see new additions to our family site.

In this edition of the newsletter we look at:

• One of the branches of the family which moved to Scotland in the late 19th century.
• Poor Reggie
• Asylums ... no, not asylum seekers but places where a number of our family members ended their days
• Another work of Frank Brangwyn
• and more

Each newsletter takes a fair amount of time to put together. Often it requires considerable research, too, with many hours spent confirming dates, places, names and following up on bits of information. To ensure that the newsletter does not cut into ongoing family research I am considering producing it on a quarterly basis from now on. I would certainly appreciate your views on this.

Please use the family web site to get your news out to our family members. Margaret and I will be doing that.

I hope you enjoy learning more about your extended family and please get back to me with your views on the frequency of publication of the newsletter.

Contributions to the Newsletter are most welcome. If you find something that you would like to share please send it to me so that it can be included or post it on the family web site. My email address is lwuth@hups.net

Lorraine Wuth

Editor

"Evelyn"

"Evelyn" is a recently released British film, starring Pierce Brosnan, who is probably best known for his "James Bond" films. In this film, however, he plays a real-life hero, Desmond Doyle. The story takes place in Ireland in the 1950's. When his wife abandons him and their three children, Desmond does his best to cope as a single parent, but when the authorities learn of his plight the children are removed from his care and placed in church-run orphanages. Devastated by this, Desmond fights in the courts for the return of his children.

But why would this film be of any interest to the Brangw*n* family? Well, some time ago David received a letter from the makers of the film, asking permission to use a Brangwyn (as in "Sir Frank") picture in the film. The picture featured is "Mars and Venus," an oil which can be found in the Municipal Art Gallery, Dublin. Painted in 1908 and exhibited in London in 1924, it measures 46 inches by 60½ inches. Hopefully, these dimensions will make it easy to spot in the film.

"Mars and Venus" by Frank Brangwyn

So, I would urge all members of the Brangw*n* clan to go and see the film, and to stand up and cheer when the picture appears on the screen.

[Submitted by Margaret A Brangwyn]

PS. We are awaiting a critique of the film from Margaret and David who have been planning to see it.

Obituary: Cuthbert Patrick J Brangwyn

The Decorative Furnisher                  June 1911
Obituary

C P BRANGWYN

It is our unpleasant task to chronicle the death of C P Brangwyn, who for several years contributed a series of drapery sketches to THE DECORATIVE FURNISHER. Mr Brangwyn died in Pittsburg on May 18th, after an illness of fourteen weeks and was buried in Woodlawn, New York, on May 20. Before his death and for five years past he was with McCreery & Co., of Pittsburg, in the capacity of head designer on rugs, draperies and interiors.

Mr Brangwyn was born in England, of Welsh parents, in 1875, being a third son of William Curtis Brangwyn and a brother of Frank Brangwyn, ARA.

In the capacity of designer, Mr Brangwyn displayed considerable ability, being acquainted with all the period styles and details which go to make up a first-class designer. His death will be mourned by all those who knew him, for in his passing his friends have lost a man of ability, character and strong personality.

The Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburg where Cuthbert died. An arrow points to the room where he died (just above an entrance)

Reggie, Poor Reggie

In the February newsletter a number of updates were listed. One was for Reginald Richard Brangwin, son of John Curtis Brangwin and Sarah Grace Foord. Reginald had died at the County Asylum, Roundway, Devizes, on Ocotober 20, 1906. He was an epileptic, having suffered from the affliction since the age of 6.

You can find details from his case book below.

How did a family cope with a child who had epilepsy in the late 19th century? Given that there was no medication and no cure, how did they cope? Was it normal to lock away suffers?

The story of Prince John, youngest son of King George V and Queen Mary, an uncle of the present Queen Elizabeth II, is a sad tale of a boy who, like Reggie, was an epileptic. Prince John was born on July 12, 1905, not long before the death of Reggie. He was, by all accounts, an affectionate and kind boy with a mischievous sense of humour. Such were his pranks that his family nicknamed him "The Imp".

Prince John was diagnosed as suffering from epilepsy when he was four and his parents were horrified. There was no cure and no medicines to contain the affliction, and in an age when appearances counted for everything, they were terrified he might suffer a fit in public. At first, the seizures came only sporadically, but as he grew older they became more frequent. To safeguard their regal reputation, his parents refused to allow him into any of the official family photos and kept him out of sight at Frogmore in Windsor Great Park.

It was a threadbare exile for their youngest son.

It was George V and Queen Mary who created the appearance of a united royal family that somehow survived until the start of the 1990s. In reality, however, they were cold and aloof - and never more so than in their treatment of John. They wanted him as far out of the way as possible, regardless of the suffering that might cause him personally.

In 1916, after a series of particularly violent fits, they decided he should be sent away to Wood Farm in distant Norfolk. He was 11 years old. His family came to visit, but as the Duke of Windsor noted, "only once or twice a year".

He had been banished with his nanny, Lalla Bill, who remained with him until his death following an epileptic attack on January 18, 1919. Prince John was 13 at the time of his death.

For his family, the death of Prince John came as a great relief.

It is difficult to judge a family harshly when dealing with a member suffering from epilepsy. With no means of controlling the affliction it must have been very difficult managing a person subject to fits.

And now back to Reggie.

Photo of Reginald Richard Brangwin from the asylum records

The following pages are taken from the Asylum Records for Reggie.

[Page] 128

Extracts from Medical Certificate Dr. H. H. Williamson (a) He stands in a dull listless state at times and when spoken to refuses to answer, then will suddenly shriek out sentences of incoherent nature. His hands cut in several places from putting them through a window. Will not explain the reason of being cut. His Mother Sarah Brangwin of High Street, Ludgershall, says that for past four days he has been hollowing [sic] out night & day, sentences with no reference to questions asked him, and following her about all the time, shrieking in her ear. This morning he rushed for the window and put his fists through three small panes of glass.

Previous History Good bodily health. No Infectious diseases – Fairly well off. No domestic trouble or mental anxiety. Moral & abstemious. Suffered from Epilepsy. Symptoms gradually coming on for past two years

Family History A Maternal Uncle died in this Asylum. No Epilepsy. Father Drinks. No Consumption or Cancer

State on Admission:

General appearance and Description of Bodily Symptoms:- A thin lanky youth with a short, weak chin, high & prominent malar bones & hollow cheeks: head largely out of proportion to the face in size & configuration. He has a depraved expression with wide, blank staring, glistening eyes, & a generally cyanotic & bleary look: Head 22¾ [inches], Chest 32 [inches]: pupils dilated: K I +

Copy of Report on Mental Condition sent to Commissioners in Lunacy, dated 14th November 1901.

Epileptic Mania – He has a wild stare and vacant expression. Generally takes little notice when spoken to & neglects to answer questions and then suddenly gives way to a loud outburst of irrational talk made up chiefly of threats & obscene & filthy language. Refuses food & is dirty & depraved in habits and violent in behaviour.

Prognosis on Mental Condition: Unfavourable

Roundway Asylum where Reggie spent his last days

[Thanks to Margaret and David for supplying the Reggie material]

Scottish Connections

In the late nineteenth century a number of Brangwins moved to Scotland. The earliest emigrant was William Cowan Brangwin, son of John Brangwin and Elizabeth Cowan. In 1881 he was living in Edinburgh. We will look at him in the next newsletter.

Following his bout of bankrupcy, Castle Brangwin, son of Castle Brangwin and Charlotte Bell, headed north to Glasgow. It is unclear why the family moved north. Perhaps Castle had been to Glasgow as part of his travelling and had found the place to his liking. Whatever the reason, quite a few of his large family eventually moved to Scotland.

For more background on this part of the family see the April 2001 newsletter. Remember that Generation 7 and Generation 8 has an error. It has Elizabeth Cowan married to a William Brangwin which has been proved to be incorrect. See the April 2002 newsletter for the Elizabeth Cowan story and the corrections to the family connections.

A number of Scottish records have become more readily available and through these records it has been possible to fill in some of the gaps in Castle's part of the family.

A refresher: Castle Brangwin was the third child and only son of Castle Brangwin and Charlotte Bell. He was baptised on April 13, 1834 at Deptford St Paul, KNT. He married Fanny Fulker on October 9, 1854 in Whitechapel, MDX.

The following report was published in the Times, London, on May 13, 1857:

Bankrupts:

Castle Brangwin jun, Blackheath-road, Greenwich, and High-street, Deptford, grocer, May 21, at half-past 12 o'clock, June 18, at 1, at the Bankrupts' Court : solicitors, Messrs. Atkins, Andrews, and Co., White Hart-Court, Lomard-street; official assignee, Mr. Bell, Coleman-street-buildings.

At the time of the 1881 census, Castle was living at 11 Aspenlea Villas, Fulham in Middlesex. He was 47 years old and his occupation was listed as grocer.

Sometime between April 1881 and May 13, 1897 the family relocated to Scotland.

Castle died at 6:20am on May 13, 1897 in 165 Blythswood Gardens, Glasgow, LKS. He was 63 years old. His death entry is recorded in the district of Kelvin in the Burgh of Glasgow. It gave his occupation as theatrical bill inspector and stated that he was married to Fanny Fulker. Cause of death was certified by A. McGregor, M. D. and given as Phthisis Pulmanitis [pulmonary tuberculosis] 1 month x days. The informant was his son John who was present at the death.

Fanny was the daughter of John Fulker and Mary Lloyd. She was born in 1834 in Croydon, SRY and baptised on December 14, 1834 at St John the Baptist, Croydon. In 1901 she was living at 165 West Princes St, Glasgow. Also in the household were her son John and daughter Florence and her son John Harvey.

Fanny died on September 10, 1908 at 0:45am at 35 Dunearn Street, Glasgow, LKS, aged 73. Her death entry stated that she was the widow of Castle Brangwin, grocer. Cause of death was apoplexy [stroke] cardiac disease as certified by Fred V Adams, L. R. C. P. Ed. The informant was her daughter F A Harvey who was present at her death. Castle and Fanny had 10 children:

1. Fanny Julia Brangwin was baptised on May 27, 1855. [more later]
2. Castle Brangwin, the second child of Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker, was born and died in 1859 at Greenwich, Kent.
3. Alice Mary Brangwin, the third child of Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker, was born in 1860 and baptised on December 1 of that year at Deptford St Paul, Kent. In 1881 she was working as an assistant to Harriett Warren and living at 48 High Street, Kensington.
   
   Alice married John William Batchelor on August 21, 1890, at St Mary's Church, Hammersmith, MDX; John was 31, a bachelor, and military staff clerk of Cunagh Camp, Co Kildare. His father, John Batchelor was deceased and a forage contractor. Alice was 29 and a spinster of 11 Leysfield Road. Her father, Castle, was listed as a traveler. Witnesses were Geo W Andrews and J A Brangwin. They married after the calling of banns.
   
   John William Batchelor was born about 1859.
4. Rose Charlotte Brangwin was born in 1863 in Walworth, MDX. She was the fourth child of Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker. In 1881 her occupation was given as confectioners assistant and she was living at 44 & 45 Market Pl, Reading St Lawrence, Berkshire.
   
   She married Alfred Charles Brown on June 14, 1885 at All Saints Church, Fulham, MDX. Alfred was 22, a bachelor and a tailor of Fulham. His father was listed as John Brown, boiler maker. Rosa [or Rose], was 22 and a spinster, of Fulham. Her father, Castle, was listed as a traveler. Witnesses were Edward (?) Brown and Alicia Mary Brangwin.
   
   Alfred Charles Brown was born about 1863.
5. Florence Ada Brangwin was born in 1865 [more later]
6. Castle John Brangwin was the second son of Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker. He was born in 1867 at Newington, MDX. Like his older brother, he died as an infant. His death is recorded in 1869, also in Newington. He was 2 years old.
7. Frederick Lloyd Brangwin was born on January 8, 1870 in Walworth, LND [more later]
8. John Brangwin was born in 1872 at Fulham, MDX. In 1881 he was living with his parents at 11 Aspenlea Villas, Fulham. He was 8 years old and a scholar. In 1901 he was living with his mother, Fanny, at 165 West Princes St in Glasgow. His occupation was theatrical manager. He was single and 28 years old. He died on January 27, 1916, Rossmure, Argyll Road, Dunoon, County of Argyll. He was 43 years old. Cause of death was phthisis pulmonalis as certified by W Linsmore, M.D. The informant was his neighbour John Lawrie.
9. Ellen Louise Brangwin was born in 1875 [more later]
10. Ethel Jane Brangwin was born on March 27, 1877 [more later]

Generation No. 2

Fanny Julia Brangwin was the first child born to Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker. She was baptised on May 27, 1855 at Deptford St Paul, Kent. In 1881 she was living at home with her parents. She was unmarried and her occupation was given as dressmaker.

Fanny married Harry Holman Adams on April 15, 1893 at St Mary's Church, Hammersmith, LND following the calling of banns. Harry was 28 and a bachelor. His occupation was given as mechanic. His residence was 11 Leysfield Road. His father, Edward Peter Adams, was deceased and a photographer. Fanny was a 37 year old spinster at the time of her marriage. Her residence was also given as 11 Leysfield Road. The occupation of her father, Castle Brangwin, was given as traveler. Witnesses were Castle Brangwin, Ethel Jane Brangwin and Frederick Lloyd Brangwin.

Fanny and Harry were living in Greenwich, London, at 45 Varbrugh Park, at the time of the 1901 census. Also listed in the household were their two children:

1. Harold Wellesley Adams born in 1894 in Gunnsbury, MDX
2. Ethel Grace Adams born in 1898 in Greenwich.

Harry's occupation was given as picture frame maker. Also in the household was his 66 year old widowed mother, Fanny.

Fanny died at 6:30am on May 2, 1918 at 192 West Princes St, Glasgow. She was listed as the widow of Harry Adams, mechanical engineer. Cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage as certified by Robert Grieve, M.B.C.M. Informant was her sister A M Batchelor, who was present at her death.

Harry Adams was born about 1865 on the Isle of Wight at Sandown. He predeceased Fanny.

Florence Ada Brangwin was the fifth child of Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker. She was born in 1865 in Kensington, SRY. In 1881 she was living with her parents at 11 Aspenlea Villas, Fulham and was a dressmaker. Her age was given as 15.

She married Henry Thomas Harvey on October 28, 1894 in Dover, KNT,

Florence died 17 September 1944 in Napiershall Street, Glasgow, SCT.

Henry was 27,a bachelor, gardener of Vale View, Ma..n, Dover. His father was deceased farmer Thomas Harvey. Florence was 29, a spinster, of 87 High Street. Her father, Castle, was a traveler. Witnesses were Lawrence E..ce [unreadable] and Rose Charlotte Brown [sister of Florence]. They were married after the calling of banns.

The 1901 census recorded Florence at 165 West Princes St, Glasgow, at her mother’s residence. Henry has not been found in the 1901 census although he was still living as Florence was listed as married.

Florence died aged 79, on September 17, 1944 at 11:20am, at 25 Napiershall Street, Glasgow. She was listed as the widow of Henry Thomas Harvey, gardener. Cause of death was given as cerebral haemorrhage and arterio sclerosis and was certified by A Glasser, M.B. Ch B. The informant was her son John Harvey of 303 Broadholm Street, Glasgow.

Henry Thomas Harvey was the son of Thomas Harvey. He was born about 1867. He was a gardener and predeceased his wife, Florence.

Florence and Harvey had at least one child: Castle John Harvey. John, as he was known, was born on September 9, 1897 at 165 Blythswood Gardens, Glasgow, at 8:30pm. In 1901 he was recorded with his mother at his grandmother’s residence.

Frederick Lloyd Brangwin was the seventh child and first surviving son of Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker. He obviously got his middle name from his mother, being the family name of his maternal grandmother, Mary Lloyd. He was born on January 8, 1870 in Walworth, LND. In 1881 he was living with his parent and a number of other family members at 11 Aspenlea Villas, Fulham.

He married Emily Jane Aldington on August 23, 1894 in Brentford, MDX.

In 1901, Frederick and Emily were living at 68 First Avenue, East Ham. His occupation was given as general merchants clerk.

Frederick died, aged 65, on September 20, 1935 at Sandown, Acton Lane, Harlesden, MDX.

Emily Jane Aldington was born on December 24, 1870 in Mortlake, SRY, and died 1926 in Willesden, LND, aged 51.

Frederick and Emily had 8 children:

1. Winifred Emily Brangwin, born in October 1895 at Harlesden, MDX. She married John H Hewett in 1937 at Uxbridge, ENG.
2. Francis Frederick Brangwin, born April 18, 1897 [more later]
3. John Henry Brangwin was born in May 1899 at Manor Park, ESS. He died on April 28, 1961 at Ealing, MDX, aged 61. his address at time of death was 39 Vale Court, Acton Vale, MDX. Probate was granted at London on June 26, 1961 to his sister Kathleen Ethel Brangwin, spinster. Effects £10,597 18s 9d.
4. Rosalie Alice L Brangwin was born in 1902 at Romford, ESS. She married Alfred A Sugar, in 1937 at Willesden, LND and died in 1944.
5. Kathleen Ethel Brangwin was born on January 4, 1906 at Romford, ESS. She never married and died aged 86 in 1992.
6. Robert William Brangwin was born in 1908 at Romford, ESS. [more later]
7. Reginald George Brangwin was born on January 10, 1912 at Willesden, LND [more later]
8. Phyllis Mary Brangwin was born on April 21, 1916 at Hammersmith, MDX. She married Edward J Griffin in 1940.

Ellen Louise Brangwin was the ninth child of Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker. She was born in 1875 in Fulham, MDX. She married Alexander Cook Hunter 28 June 1899 in Glasgow, LKS.

Ellen died at 3:20am on January 27, 1906 in 35 Dunearn Street, Glasgow, aged 31. Her husband was listed as a chemist and druggist. Cause of death was given as phlegmasia dolens following childbirth. The informant was her sister F A Harvey who was present at her death.

I have found one child so far for Ellen and Alexander: Fanny Margaret Hunter who was born on June 9, 1901, at 165 West Princes Street, Glasgow, LKS. There may be other children.

Ethel Jane Brangwin was the tenth and final child born to Castle Brangwin and Fanny Fulker. She was born in Fulham, MDX on March 27, 1877. She married Hercules Logan in 1900 in Glasgow.

Ethel and Alexander had at least two children:

1. John Logan, born on May 17, 1901. He died on December 3, 1989 in San Mateo Co, CA, aged 88.
2. Adolphus Brangwin Logan, born March 8, 1905 [more later]

Ethel died 19 October 1954 in Contra Costa County, CA, aged 77.

Hercules Logan was the son of John Logan. He was born April 26, 1878 in St Andrews, FIF, and died on January 29, 1973 in Contra Costa County, CA.

Generation No. 3

Francis Frederick Brangwin was born on April 18, 1897 in Harlesden, MDX. He was the second child and eldest son of Frederick Lloyd Brangwin and Emily Jane Aldington. He married Madge Heather on March 18, 1922 in Hammersmith, MDX. Francis adopted the Brangwyn spelling his surname.

Francis died on August 2, 1949 in Isleworth, MDX, aged 52. his address at time of death was 17 Vincent Road, Isleworth, MDX. Administration of his estate was granted on October 29, 1949 to Madge Brangwyn, widow, and Frank Philip Brangwyn, cashier. Effects £4119 9s 10d.

Madge Heather was the daughter of Arthur Heather and Ethel Hawker. She was born on March 19, 1903 in Croydon, SRY, and died on January 26, 1987 in Hounslow, ENG, aged 85.

Francis and Madge Heather had 10 children:

1. Frank Philip Brangwyn was born on September 10, 1922 at Shepherds Bush, MDX. He married Audrey Read on October 19, 1944 in Northampton. Frank died on February 5, 1995, at Malaga, Spain. They had four children: Graham, Martin, Anita and Roy.
2. John Frederick Brangwyn was born in 1923 in Shepherds Bush, MDX. He has married six times:
   1. Rachel Yvonne Curtis on June 6, 1946 in Staines, SRY
   2. Anne J Lyons in 1957
   3. Madeleine Frehdner in 1970
   4. Hazel Kathleen D Bartlett on February 18, 1976 in ENG. She was born on February 18, 1934 and died in July 1992
   5. Pauline A Poore in August 1992; and
   6. Pauline M Raphael in 1995.
   John’s children: (with Rachel Curtis) Adrian, Julian, Stephen and Naomi; (with Anne Lyons) Ione, David and Christopher.
3. Joan Helen Brangwyn was born in 1925. She has married twice: (1) John C Horrocks in 1948, and (2) Peter Faulkner in 1953.
4. Ivor Lloyd Brangwyn was born in 1927. He married Sylvia J Stebbing on May 2, 1952. They have a son, Paul
5. Kathleen M Brangwyn was born on July 15 and died on November 17, 1928 at Isleworth, MDX.
6. Eileen Rosalie Brangwyn was born in 1929. She married Robert Ridnell on April 5, 1953. They have two children: Susan and Martin.
7. Derek Brangwyn was born in 1931. He married Sylvia F R Griffin on March 26, 1955. They have two children: Christine and Sandra.
8. Gordon Brangwyn was born in 1933.
9. Ronald Brangwyn was born in 1934. He married Mary Whitney on July 23, 1955. They have three children: Steven, Angela and Linda. [Ronald and Angela are members of our family web site].
10. Geoffrey Brangwyn was born in 1940. He, too, is a member of our family web site. See the May 2003 newsletter for more information about Geoffrey and his family.

Robert William Brangwin was the sixth child of Frederick Lloyd Brangwin and Emily Jane Aldington. He was born in 1908 in Romford, ESS. He married Hilda Carrington in 1936 in Hendon, MDX. He died in 1955 in Lambeth, MDX, aged 47.

Robert and Hilda had 3 children:

1. Rosalie who married Brian Hartley
2. Pamela who married Ross Martin
3. Janet who married David Ridgers

Reginald George Brangwin was born on January 10, 1912 in Willesden, LND, the seventh child and youngest son of Frederick Lloyd Brangwin and Emily Jane Aldington. He married Hilda Minnie Wilks in 1936. They had one son, Peter, who died in 1991. Reginald died on March 9, 1987 in Hillingdon, ENG, aged 75. his address at the time of his death was 57 Shakespeare Avenue, Hayes, MDX.

Adolphus Brangwin Logan was the child of Ethel Jane Brangwin and Hercules Logan. He was born on March 8, 1905, and died on March 10, 1982 in Tulare Co, CA, aged 77. He married Lucille Irene Dunn. They have one child: Robin Brangwin Logan.

Ludgershall, Wiltshire

The ancient village of Ludgershall, then spelt "Litlegarsele" is recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1066.

The village is situated on the Wiltshire/Hampshire border, some 18 miles north-east of the cathedral city of Salisbury, with the world famous monument of Stonehenge approximately seven miles to the south-west. Winchester with its famous cathedral lies some 20 miles to the south-east. The village, which has a population of around 4000, has always been of great military importance.

During the First World War, 1914 - 1918, troops were despatched to the front from Windmill Hill Camp and during the Second World War, 1939 - 1945, troops, including the American 8th Army, were despatched from Windmill Hill and Perham Down for the 'D' Day landings.

Many, sadly, returned injured, on the almost daily hospital train which arrived at Ludgershall's very busy railway station, for transfer to the Military Hospital at Tidworth. Today both the hospital and railway are no more but there still remains a single track which servesboth the Army Medical Depot and the Army Vehicle Depot. During World War II the site of the Cehicle Depot was a prisoner of war camp, housing German, italian and Polish prisoners, many of whom worked on the land and forestry industry in the area.

Asylums

For those who thought that being in a lunatic asylum in the early nineteenth century was not too bad, THINK AGAIN.

Severe whippings were the most favourite method of procuring a ready obedience from the inmates of the madhouses. In this time the whip was used as an engine of punishment; at an earlier period it was considered a most valuable therapeutic agent.

The House of Commons commissioned a Select Committee to look into lunatic asylums in the early 19th century and what follows are a few snippets from the evidence they gathered, giving an insight into the treatment of those in lunatic asylums. Not all lunatic asylums would have been as inhumane as these cases implied, but they did occur.

1) Thus in a Wiltshire madhouse, Dr Fowler found a man confined in an oblong trough, chained down. He had evidently not been in the open air for a considerable time; for when I made them bring him into the open air the man could not endure the light; he was like an Albino, blinking; and they acknowledged that he had not. Upon asking him how often he had been allowed to get out of the trough, he said "perhaps once in a week or ten days, and sometimes not for a fortnight" He was not in the least violent; he was perfectly calm, and answered the questions put to him rationally; his breathing was then so difficult, that I thought his life likely to be affected by it.

2) Then there was the case of Norris; he was fastened to a wall in the Bethlem Hospital, by a complication of chains and rings and bars, with his right leg chained to a trough, so secured that he could not repose in any other position than on his back.

3) A man named Murphy, was brought from the Batavia Hospital Ship, his arms were cut by the rope with which he was fastened to the stage-coach.

4) In the winter of 1820, the Commissioners found a patient, in a private institution, alone in an out-house, without a fire, and with out shoes, the windows being broken. After much shuffling, it was proved that this patient did not sleep in the apartment said to be his, but in a miserable room up a private staircase, concealed by a door, which was discovered with considerable difficulty. It was a single room, small and offensive, containing only a wet and dirty piece of sacking filled with straw, with one rug and a blanket. For this treatment the patient paid £50 per annum.

5) Patients have been obliged to remain in bed the whole of Sunday, in order that their keepers might visit their friends; and our only astonishment is that this festival did not occur more frequently than once a week, when we find that in one asylum, each servant had charge of 50 patients; that in another 164 patients were entrusted to two keepers; and that in a third asylum three keepers were expected to govern 250 patients.

I'm glad I was not a mental patient at that time.

[This article was supplied by Trevor Wuth]

Marriage Licences and Banns

From time to time you will have noticed that marriages have been notated as "with licence" or "after the calling of banns".

Most marriages were "by banns". Banns were a stated intention that the marriage would take place and were to be read in both parishes (the brides and the grooms) on three consecutive weeks during the Sunday services. This would advertise the marriage and allow any objectors to come forward.

There are several different types of licence [as a noun always spelt with a C, as a verb spelt with an S] that have occurred in England. A special licence is a licence granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury by virtue of what is called the legatine power: it is one of the few remnants of the papal power of dispensation transferred to the Primate of All England at the reformation, and previously exercised by the papal legate on behalf of the pope, which explains why it covers the Northern Province as well as the South. It was, and still is, used to authorise marriage either in a place not itself authorised (usually a private chapel or a church with which the parties had no connection) or at a time not authorised. The current cost, 2003, is £75 but in 1825 it was £25.

A licence granted by a bishop or his surrogate dispenses from the reading of banns but (unlike the special licence) does not in any way dispense from the canonical requirements. It neither permits a marriage by those under age, nor is necessary when required permissions are given. A marriage under the minimum canonical age is void, whether or not a bishop's (called a "common") licence is obtained. A marriage of a person who by reason of age requires parental consent is valid if celebrated whether by licence or after banns. A special licence cannot dispense from the essential requirement (e.g. minimum age or consanguinity / affinity) but can dispense from the technical requirements.

Parties married by licence either because they did not wish their intentions to be published in each party's home parish, or because it was felt to be a superior way to get married. The latter reason is not acceptable to the registrar of the Province of Canterbury on an application for a Special Licence: unless the applicant is a peer of the realm, he requires a substantive reason.

Banns span 15 days. It is possible to publish banns on three consecutive Sundays and then marry on the Monday. A common licence however does require three weeks' notice and therefore takes longer. A special licence, being very flexible, can take less time - as short as 48 hours.

Licences are given to the parties and, though the celebrant should require to see them, they are not retained by him. Consequently whether they are still extant depends on whether the original parties kept them. They are not in any church or other public records. The affidavits etc which were required by the bishop or his officials before granting the licence may well be in diocesan records, but the licence itself will not be there.

A license or bond might be sought by the parties to cement some legal process as it forms a sworn statement that both parties are eligible to marry and have no outstanding encumbrances on the marriage (such as another wife, or a pending breach of promise case!). Breaking the bond would incur a significant financial penalty.

I hope you have found this edition of the Brangwin Family Newsletter of interest.

I would like to thank the many people who have contributed to this newsletter: Geoffrey and Angela for the family data they supplied; David for the Reggie information and photos; Trevor for the asylum article and Margaret for her many contributions. Thank you all.

That's it for this month.

If you have anything you would like to contribute to the newsletter it would be most welcome.

Until then next time

Lorraine