Gertrude Annie Shaw

In the 1861 census, Annie Gertrude Lucy Shaw is the youngest child & scholar living with her parents at the estate called Woodfield in Lockwood near York, where her father employs 62 men and also acts as Justice of the Peace. Both girls and boys in this family are being educated, at home by a governess; probably Ann. There are several servants who include Kate Mahoney from Ireland described as Upper Nurse, Ann E Hirst from Huddersfield, Jane Abbott, the cook and Catherine Corbert, a kitchen maid from Ireland. In the 1881 census, Jane E Shaw is a widow of 63, and the head of the household; John L Shaw is described as a brewer & wine & spirits merchant, while Frederick is 26 but has no occupation; Gertrude is 25 and single. In the 1901 census, Gertrude A Shaw was 45 and living as a boarder at 5 Kent's Terrace, Tormoham, Torquay, Devonshire. She is described as having her own means. Living with her is Louisa Durrant, age 39 born Bunjay Essex in 1862 and described as Ladysmaid. This lady was her constant companion for many years & inherited most of the family silver. In 1935 Jeanette Shaw was visiting England from South Africa & went to see Louisa Durrant : Jeanette was given a silver pin box inscribed Gertie : For dear Jeanette With Durranty's love from dear Aunt Gerties dressing table. I was going to give it you when you came. Sorry not to see you but shall hope to do so some time LD . The family has a portrait of Gertie wearing a black dress with a lace collar. In 1934, Harold received this miniature of Gertie, inscribed ' Aunt Gertie--- Harold 1934' Perhaps she was his Godmother? In her will Annie left her fortune to Neville Shaw of no occupation and Lancelot Shaw Dumaresq company director and Thomas Arthur Codner solicitor.

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Lucy Shaw here is Bentley Shaw's sister, not his daughter. In 1841 census, Lucy is at school in Rothwell, Yorkshire. The school is Iveridge Hall & it is run by John Pinder (65) & his daughters Frances (35), Judith(30) & Jane Pinder. The pupils range in age from 19 to 7. Lucy herself is 12 years old & Elizabeth Bentley (11) is probably related to her. Frances Pinder mentions that she does night-shifts. Hopefully, this is not a Dickensian school like those described In Martin Chuzzlewhit, where unwanted children or disabled children are got rid of by parents or step-parents & abused physically & mentally by those in charge of them who are meant to be in loco parentis.