TALES FROM THE WORKHOUSE

The case of the tattooed lady

The heartbreak stories of those who ended up in the workhouse at Bourne during the 19th century reflect a harsh and even uncaring social system although many of the inmates had seen better days and had arrived there through unfortunate circumstances beyond their control. There were also mysteries that would not have been out of place in the pages of a Victorian detective novel such as the strange case of the tattooed lady which occurred 150 years ago.

Apart from the destitute from the district, the workhouse or union, then situated in what is now St Peter’s Road but demolished in 2001, also admitted tramps and vagrants who were passing through and allowed to stay a few nights although they had to earn their keep by cleaning the dormitories or helping in the kitchens and garden, and in 1858 a woman named Elizabeth Powell found herself living there under such circumstances.

She was not in good health and died within a few days on October 30th but when the body was being examined by a doctor he made a remarkable discovery. The chairman of the Board of Guardians, Mr John Burgess, takes up the story: “It was found after her death that both her arms bore initials perforated with ink, and executed in a beautiful manner”, he said. “As she was admitted into the union house as a casual, nothing could be correctly ascertained from her whether she had friends or not, or where her native place was. On her right arm was the following: W.B.R.H.N.G.E.W.R.S. and T. Whittingham C.5. Left arm: A.J.J.R.P.”

The workhouse officials were baffled by the lettering and on being unable to find an explanation they posted a notice in the local newspapers describing what they had found, adding: “Should this paragraph be observed by the friends of the deceased, they may ascertain more particulars by communicating with the Master of the Bourne Union.”

There was no response. Elizabeth Powell was subsequently given a pauper’s burial in the town cemetery where she lies in an unmarked grave, the secret of the tattooed messages on her arms having died with her.

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Tales from the workhouse