PUBZ3/10/113

James Brain, Maria his wife and their two children William aged four years and Henry aged nine months. Removal order to St John, Bedford, from St Andrew the Less, Cambridge. With the following:

15 May 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

Suspension of removal order due to illness of Maria Brain 15 May 1835. Examination of James Brain: My father's settlement is at St John, Bedford which he gained by service there. I lived there with him until I came to Cambridge. I then let myself to Mr Anderson of St Mary the Less about nine years ago by the month only. I stopped 4 months. I was not a yearly servant anywhere before I was married. I have not hired any house of ten pounds a year nor done any act to gain a settlement in my own right. I have a wife named Maria Brain and 2 children, William aged 4 years and Henry aged nine months and am now actually chargeable to St Andrew the Less. ABout 4 years ago I and my wife were removed to St John, Bedford. They appealed against the order and lost the cause.15 May 1835 Letter to the Board of the Parish of St John, Bedford, from J W Matthews, Assistant Overseer, St Andrew the Less: I have to inform you the within named Maria Brain is at this time mentally deranged and obliged to remain under constraints. Her husband being unable to provide for her safety has applied to the parish to get her removed to an asylum, the case requires that immediate steps should be taken. I hope therefore on the poor woman's account that you will be so kind as to give it your attention and favour me with an answer by return of post. 19 May 1835

item

Brain, James,
Brain, Maria,
Brain, William,
Brain, Henry,
Matthews, J W

BEDFORD, Cambridge, Poor Laws, removal, Settlement, POVERTY, general Poor Laws, illness, Overseers, mental health, lunacy, social & welfare provision mental illness