Susannah Robinson - Engine Brow, Pendlebury
In May 1888 Susannah Robinson was living in the cellar of 36 Engine Brow, a widow of several years. Cellar dwelling was a common cheap housing option for many poorly paid working class people in the 19th century.
During Whit Week celebrations on the evening of 24th May 1888 Susannah visited one or more local public houses in Pendlebury. Returning home around midnight she called at the house of neighbour Bridget Owen who was also in drink to confront the woman about spreading gossip and stories about her. The two ladies embarked on a drink fuelled quarrel, ultimately ending in tragedy.
During Whit Week celebrations on the evening of 24th May 1888 Susannah visited one or more local public houses in Pendlebury. Returning home around midnight she called at the house of neighbour Bridget Owen who was also in drink to confront the woman about spreading gossip and stories about her. The two ladies embarked on a drink fuelled quarrel, ultimately ending in tragedy.
Looking down Engine Brow from Bolton Road and a later image taken from the now Queensway looking back towards Bolton Road and the top of Station Road long after the housing had been cleared.
As Susannah began to head home Bridget stood at the top of the steps leading to the house and shouted various obscenities. Enraged Susannah climbed the stairs to confront her and demanded she repeat the words, whereupon Bridget according to witnesses Elizabeth Tomes and Henry Glover hit her in the chest and shouted “ take that you f*****g cat”. So drunk when pushed she could make no effort to save herself and fell backwards down the stone steps banging her head on the floor. Complaining of a pain in her head onlookers helped Susannah to her own home in a neighbouring cellar.
Satisfied that all would be well in the morning barring a headache from the previous evenings alcohol the ladies and neighbours retired to their beds. However by Saturday Susannah was in extreme pain and the local doctor John Jackson Berry was summoned. He examined his patient to discover two broken ribs, a large wound on the back of her head, some bruising and generally feeling out of sorts.
Unfortunately for Susannah her condition deteriorated, she passed away at 2 a.m.on Wednesday the 30th May . Cause of death was recorded by the doctor as concussion of the brain and congestion of the lungs cause by the fractured ribs, he concluded lying for two days and exposure to the cold damp conditions in the cellar contributed to her death.
Satisfied that all would be well in the morning barring a headache from the previous evenings alcohol the ladies and neighbours retired to their beds. However by Saturday Susannah was in extreme pain and the local doctor John Jackson Berry was summoned. He examined his patient to discover two broken ribs, a large wound on the back of her head, some bruising and generally feeling out of sorts.
Unfortunately for Susannah her condition deteriorated, she passed away at 2 a.m.on Wednesday the 30th May . Cause of death was recorded by the doctor as concussion of the brain and congestion of the lungs cause by the fractured ribs, he concluded lying for two days and exposure to the cold damp conditions in the cellar contributed to her death.
Prison documents of Bridget Owens. it is noted she had a previous conviction for drunkenness. Originally for Roscommon in Ireland along with husband Thomas and several children they lived at several addresses in and around the area. There is a suggestion the family may have emigrated to America after the trial though this has not been confirmed.
Doctor Berry considered the circumstances surrounding the death merited reporting the matter to the police. Local police constable James was beckoned and Bridget Owens arrested then charged with causing the death of Susannah Robinson. Upon her arrest Bridget said “I never pushed her down sir: I only shut the door in her face. She was drunk and I had some drink”. At the Coroner’s inquest on the 2nd June a verdict was returned to the effect that the fall which caused Susannah’s death was inadvertently the fault of Bridget Owen. Susannah was interred later that day in a public grave at Swinton Cemetery.
Bridget was brought before the County Police Court and charged with Manslaughter on the 4th June. Unfortunately for the woman magistrates committed her trial at the Assizes. Remanded in custody the trial took place in July 1888, the jury found the prisoner not guilty. The conclusion was death by misadventure.
Bridget was brought before the County Police Court and charged with Manslaughter on the 4th June. Unfortunately for the woman magistrates committed her trial at the Assizes. Remanded in custody the trial took place in July 1888, the jury found the prisoner not guilty. The conclusion was death by misadventure.
The area where Susannah and James began married life
Susannah (Wilkinson) married James Robinson in the mid 1850’s , they had four children all born in Salford. The couple began married life living in Campbells Flags, impoverished housing in Greengate Salford, so much so these tenement type buildings were demolished in 1910 deemed unfit for human occupation. As the family grew they found slightly improved housing on Sandywell Street, Greengate although an improvement from the Flags it was here the family first encountered a view of cellar dwellings, although they were fortunate enough to be living above ground the neighbouring properties housed families below ground level. With an opportunity for a better life with new employment the family next rented a house on Holland Street in Swinton. Here they lived for several years until head of family James passed away. In 1883 or 1884 another move was made, this time to the cellar dwelling of 36 Engine Brow. I believe three of the four children of the Robinson family - Margaret, George and Susannah married locally, Margaret subsequently moving to nearby Bolton. Son Thomas I am unsure what became of him in adulthood. I am hopeful there are descendants of Susannah and James still living in the locality. I suspect husband James is interred in St Peters burial ground considering his death appears to have occurred before the opening of Swinton Cemetery. There is certainly a burial in a public grave consistent with his details and taking into account this was the church the family frequented for baptisms and marriages.
Campbells Flags
Engine Brow was a poor working class area in Pendlebury. The woeful buildings that attracted families in need of cheap housing also triggered a good deal of violence and crime which is evident reading the local newspapers of the time. Parts of the Engine Brow area became some of the first to be cleared during the slum clearances of the 1930’s.
One of the main employers for the residents of Engine Brow were the Bleach Works. Closed in 1909 triggering a fear of unemployment. Thankfully this was short lived and the premises became the Electric Winding & Doubling Company until at least the early 1930s when they suffered a huge fire.
The area of Engine Brow in the 1880's
All research © Susan Tydd
Images courtesy of Salford Local History Library.
Please do not reproduce without permission
Images courtesy of Salford Local History Library.
Please do not reproduce without permission