| My sister Ruth is a Governess, she started when she was fourteen. Before that she was a lamp and candle girl at the Doctor's house, in Slyne with Hest. She started there when she was ten because my mother and father could spare her at that age. Her duties at the Doctor's house were to trim the wicks of all the lamps and candles, to clean the glasses of the oil lamps and fill them with oil and them make sure all the brass was clean and in good order. After she had done those chores she undertook the duties of an ordinary maid until it was time to light the lamps again in the evening. |
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| The Doctor's wife, who was a generous mistress, realised Ruth could read a little and schooled her some more - so that she might become a governess or a Lady's maid one day. | |
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Her references; were taken by a large house in Castle
Park, Lancaster as Governess - when she was just fourteen. She has many duties as Governess of the four children - she gets them up in the mornings, washes their faces and then heats the tongs to make ringlets in their hair. Then, she fastens the girls into their corsets - she has to draw the laces so tight that she lies the girls face down on the floor and puts her foot on their backs. (Note 17) The housekeeper scolds her if the lace collars on the boy's dresses were dirty - so she always pays particular attention to them. The housekeeper has taken exception to Ruth - says she is not from a good enough family - the last Governess had been the third daughter of a Gentleman farmer. Later, while a maid looks after the baby - who is just back from the wet nurse after 2 years - Ruth teaches the children their letters. In the afternoon she takes them for their walk. She has to be careful not to let the children mix with any common children lest her charges' manners become base. Once home she dresses the children for their tea and when they are finished, presents them to their mother so she can bid them a good night. She must make sure they are very well behaved, and if they are, they can see their father once a week. |
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If you want to meet Joe London, handle the objects
or visit the Cottage Museum, telephone Lancaster City Museum on 01524
64637
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