In 1913, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire a young woman from a
solid working class family had launched, in a modest way, a newsagent business
situated in the ‘front room’ of her parents’ house. Being a rather independent,
intelligent woman who could master many skills she became a sort of councillor
and advisor to people within her locality. Most unusually she commanded great
respect even though she had two young, illegitimate children fathered by two
different men and was married to neither.
Her family obviously supported her emotionally and
practically, even though at this time in history being in such a position would
have caused a woman shame and disrespect from at least her friends and
neighbours if not her family.
Florrie Westlake (far right)
It seems Florrie’s first child was conceived when she was in
service to a wealthy family, far from her home town, and could possibly have
become pregnant by a member of that family if later clues are to be believed.
Little is known how she found herself in the same situation a second time but
unbelievably she actually had a third illegitimate daughter to yet another man.
The father, this time wished to marry her but she was very
reluctant to lose her independence and waited until after the birth to decide.
She did marry James and tragically became a very controlled wife, deprived
emotionally and financially, and suffered much mental cruelty from James
Bourne.
His daughter Elizabeth was indulged by him and he never failed to
remind her that through him she came from a wealthy family unlike her sisters
whom he also deprived. His daughter Elizabeth was a ‘pedigree’, whereas her
sisters were ‘mongrels’ according to James.
Elizabeth and Roseanna
After some years there was another daughter and a further
tragedy was the death of that child from Pneumonia at the age of two, which was
completely devastating to Florrie – she took to going and lying upon the baby’s
grave, distraught.
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