Thursday 6th August, 2009
Margaret Horrox's Funeral
Margaret Horrox was poor. In 1809 she visited a friend in Heaton Norris, near Stockport - about 20 miles from her home in Abram.
Unfortunately, while she was there she had a “paulsey stroke” and died a few days later.
There is nothing unusual in these events but they caused a problem for John Astley, the Heaton Norris Overseer of the Poor, who was responsible for Margaret's funeral.
Overseers of the Poor were elected local officials. Most were unpaid and the position was both onerous and unpopular.
John Astley had no wish to pay funeral and other expenses for a visitor to his parish. He decided, therefore, to try to recoup the money from the overseers of Abram - Margaret's home township.
This was no easy matter. Money for Poor Law Relief was usually in short supply. Also communications were poor before Rowland Hill's 1837 postal reforms.
On 25th March, 1809, John Astley wrote the following letter:
“1809
Sir.
On Tuesday 14th ins Margaret Horrox a parishioner of yours
called on her Travel at a house in Heaton Norris
and her girl with her to warm themselves,
after sitting a short time she fell from her seat in a shocking situation.
She was assisted by the family and got to bed.
A surgeon was sent for who thought it a Paulsey Stroke,
he attended her as occasion required.
She died on the Saturday following her (illegible)
Having been wrote to come on the Sunday and was at a little expence towards her funeral.
They took the girl with them I believe to Wigan.
The landlady at the Cross Key his her ant,
they inform me of her settlement that we might get our expences
which they said you would willingly defray which amounts to £3-12s (£3.60).
I hope you will have the goodness to remit to me by Mr Green the Wigan Carrier
he knows me and I often see him and shall wait upon him on that occasion in a short time
otherwise pay in to the overseers of Aspull, we have a share in that house
if I recollect right you also I wish to be on good terms with distant towns
and give me best assistance to them your compliance will oblige.
Sir
your Ob Serv
John Astley
Overseer of the Poor
Heaton Norris March 25th 1809”
John Astley had done everything possible to make the payment easy by naming a Wigan carrier with whom he had dealings. He even suggested using the Aspull overseers as intermediaries if the Abram officials were reluctant to use the named carrier.
It took several months but on 21st July, 1809, Edward Green, a Wigan carrier, was given £3 12s 0d “for the overseer of Heaton Norris”.