William's incarceration at the Angleton Asylum continued for many years. In early 1919, his wife, Mary (Shepherd) Ball, passed away in early 1919 in Reynoldston, Glamorgan, at the age of 75. She was buried on 27 Feb 1919 in the St. George Church cemetery in Reynoldston.
Was William aware of his wife's passing? Did his daughter Mabel Charlotte visit her father or keep in touch with the facility's staff? We may never know.
On 10 January 1922, in the County Asylum, William James Ball passed away. On his death certificate, his age is noted at 63, and his address/occupation was listed as "of 2 St. George's Terrace, Reynoldston, Gower, Swansea, C.B., a Pensioned Letter Carrier". The cause of death is given as " Bright's Disease, duration unknown, (Mania) P.M. Certified by D. Finlay, M.D.". The informant was Mabel C. Ball, daughter, 140 Plassey Street, Penarth. The death was registered on 14 January 1922, by Margaret Davies.
William was buried on 14 January 1922, presumably with Mary, at the St. George (Anglican) Cemetery in Reynoldston.
Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would describe acute or chronic nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). It is typically denoted by the presence of serum albumin (blood plasma protein) in the urine, and frequently accompanied by oedema (swelling due to fluid retention in the body) and hypertension (high blood pressure). I suspect that Bright's Disease was a later diagnosis which hastened his demise. The exact nature of his mental illness is not discernible from his death certificate.
Such a sad end. I wonder how his father, William Huxtable Ball, would have felt to have lost a son. It must have been very sad.
Take care, K.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Friday, 27 January 2012
Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum
After learning about Wiliam James' incarceration in the Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum, I was curiuos to find out more about the facility.
According to the Archives Wales catalogue, the asylum was opened in November 1864 in Angleton, Brigend. Prior to the hospital's opening, a number of patients were accommodated at an asylum in Briton Ferry at the County's expense, as early as the 1840's. The Angleton facilitiy was run by a committee appointed by the Glamorgan Court of Quarter Sessions, a body responsible for judicial matters and civil administration. Initially, 350 patients were housed at Angelton, but it soon became apparent that the facility was inadequate to meet the demands made upon it.
In 1887, a new building was erected at Parc Gwyllt, Bridgend. The Glamorgan County Council inherited responsibility for the administration of these two institutions in 1889. The name was later changed to the Glamorgan County Mental Hospital. A third hopsital (Penyfai) was later built to deal with admissions. The hospitals became part of the National Health Service in July 1948. The three buildings were called Morgannwg Hospital, with Angelton being renamed as Glanrhyd Hospital (the name it still retains), and Parc Gwyllt abbreviated to Parc Hospital. Recent events have led to the closure and demolition of the Parc and Penyfai Hospitals. The only remaining building is Glanrhyd Hospital, which was the original asylum built in 1864. It is currently administered by the Bridgend and District NHS Trust. The records of the hospital are found at the Glamorgan Archives.
This is where the Glanrhyd Hospital is located:
View Larger Map
And this is a photograph of part of the hospital (© Copyright John Finch and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence):
The facility has undergone some recent redevelopment and information about the current facility can be found here
Cheers, K.
According to the Archives Wales catalogue, the asylum was opened in November 1864 in Angleton, Brigend. Prior to the hospital's opening, a number of patients were accommodated at an asylum in Briton Ferry at the County's expense, as early as the 1840's. The Angleton facilitiy was run by a committee appointed by the Glamorgan Court of Quarter Sessions, a body responsible for judicial matters and civil administration. Initially, 350 patients were housed at Angelton, but it soon became apparent that the facility was inadequate to meet the demands made upon it.
In 1887, a new building was erected at Parc Gwyllt, Bridgend. The Glamorgan County Council inherited responsibility for the administration of these two institutions in 1889. The name was later changed to the Glamorgan County Mental Hospital. A third hopsital (Penyfai) was later built to deal with admissions. The hospitals became part of the National Health Service in July 1948. The three buildings were called Morgannwg Hospital, with Angelton being renamed as Glanrhyd Hospital (the name it still retains), and Parc Gwyllt abbreviated to Parc Hospital. Recent events have led to the closure and demolition of the Parc and Penyfai Hospitals. The only remaining building is Glanrhyd Hospital, which was the original asylum built in 1864. It is currently administered by the Bridgend and District NHS Trust. The records of the hospital are found at the Glamorgan Archives.
This is where the Glanrhyd Hospital is located:
View Larger Map
And this is a photograph of part of the hospital (© Copyright John Finch and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence):
The facility has undergone some recent redevelopment and information about the current facility can be found here
Cheers, K.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
William James Ball (1858-1922) .... continued
William's story is continued in the 1901 census, where we find William, Mary and Mabel still living in Reynoldston, Devon. By this time, William is age 44 and he is a rural postman. Mabel has reached age 19 and works as a dressmaker. Mary is now 58, according to the census entry.
By 1911 there are many sad changes for William and his family. According to the 1911 census, William is a patient in the Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum in Angleton, Brigend. His infirmity is listed as "lunatic" in the census. He is shown as a retired postman, whose first language is English. Wife Mary, age 67, still resides in Reynoldston and is living on St. George's Terrace. Daughter Mabel now lives in Penarth with her grandfather, William Huxtable Ball at 18 Railway Terrace. She was a dressmaker and about 29 years of age.
What brought on William's condition? Was it hereditary, accidental, a result of stress or tragedy, or a disease that he developed? I can't but imagine how awful it would have been to have been living in such an institution. I also think of the sadness that it would have brought to his father - knowing that his eldest son would likely live out his days in an institution such as this.
Take care.
Cheers, K.
By 1911 there are many sad changes for William and his family. According to the 1911 census, William is a patient in the Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum in Angleton, Brigend. His infirmity is listed as "lunatic" in the census. He is shown as a retired postman, whose first language is English. Wife Mary, age 67, still resides in Reynoldston and is living on St. George's Terrace. Daughter Mabel now lives in Penarth with her grandfather, William Huxtable Ball at 18 Railway Terrace. She was a dressmaker and about 29 years of age.
What brought on William's condition? Was it hereditary, accidental, a result of stress or tragedy, or a disease that he developed? I can't but imagine how awful it would have been to have been living in such an institution. I also think of the sadness that it would have brought to his father - knowing that his eldest son would likely live out his days in an institution such as this.
Take care.
Cheers, K.
Monday, 23 January 2012
William James Ball (1858-1922)
The eldest son of William and Charlotte Ball, William James was born on 4 March 1858 in Bray Town, High Bray, Devon. William lived in Devon for his early life, then moved to Scurlage Castle, Glamorgan, Wales by 1861. As the 1871 census for Glamorgan is not available, the first glimpse of William is a first quarter 1880 marriage registration to Mary Shepherd. They both appear in the 1881 census in Reynoldston, Glamorgan. This is Google map of Reynoldston, located about 2.4 miles north and slightly west of Scurlage:
View Larger Map
This is a street view of Reynoldston:
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In 1881 census, William is age 23, and a blacksmith, like his father. Mary's age is 36, making him 13 years his senior. Her birthplace is Oxwich, Glamorganshire. No children are listed in the household.
In the 1891 census of Wales, their address is Frogmore, Reynoldston. Frogmore likely refers to a cottage or house. William is shown as age 33 and his occupation is "Post Man". Mary is age 46. A daughter, Mabel Ball is age 9, and her birthplace is listed as Frogmore, Reynoldston.
More on William James to follow.
Cheers, K.
View Larger Map
This is a street view of Reynoldston:
View Larger Map
In 1881 census, William is age 23, and a blacksmith, like his father. Mary's age is 36, making him 13 years his senior. Her birthplace is Oxwich, Glamorganshire. No children are listed in the household.
In the 1891 census of Wales, their address is Frogmore, Reynoldston. Frogmore likely refers to a cottage or house. William is shown as age 33 and his occupation is "Post Man". Mary is age 46. A daughter, Mabel Ball is age 9, and her birthplace is listed as Frogmore, Reynoldston.
More on William James to follow.
Cheers, K.
Friday, 20 January 2012
Some interesting news about Eliza Balment (1846-?)
I thought that I would share the interesting information that arrived in today's mail. I received the birth certificate for Eliza Balment, the 4 year old living with Charlotte Balment (my great-great-grandmother) and her parents in 1851. In the 1851 census entry, Eliza is shown as "granddaughter" and I had learned from the High Bray Parish OPC (Online Parish Clerk) that Eliza's baptism showed her mother as "Mary Anne Ballman".
Interestingly, the birth certificate shows that Eliza was born on 7 October 1846, in the Barnstaple Workhouse. Her mother is shown as Mary Ann Balment. The name of the father is blank and only a horizontal line appears in the entry. The informant is noted with an X - "The mark of Mary Ann Balment, mother, Union Workhouse, Barnstaple". The birth was registered on 14 October 1846.
This opens up many more avenues of research - who was Mary Anne and how did she end up in the Barnstaple workhouse? Why, how and when was Eliza brought to her grandparents, William and Elizabeth Balment in High Bray to live? What ever happened to Mary Anne?
I'll post when I have more details.
Cheers, K.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Death of Charlotte Balment 1897
By 1891, Charlotte and William had moved to 54 Windsor Road, Penarth. According to the census for that year, Charlotte was living with husband William and son, Henry.
On 28 October 1897, Charlotte (Balment) Ball, age 66, died, at home. Home was now 18 Railway Terrace, Penarth. Her death certificate states that the cause of death was "morbus cordis", certified by Charles John, MRCS. The informant of the death was H. Ball, her son, Henry. He is noted as being present at the death. His address is given as 50 Plassey Street, Penarth and the death was registered on 30 October 1897.
What does "morbus cordis" mean? It is the Latin term for "heart disease". It is important to note that older death certificates will use Latin to state medical conditions rather than common terminology.
Knowing that William lived until 1927, it is sad to know that Charlotte died 30 years before him. How did her passing affect the family? The 1901 census points to the fact that daughter Charlotte, son-in-law, William Down, and grandson, William Ball, had moved in with William.
Charlotte was buried in the cemetery at
St. Augustine's Church, Penarth.
Her headstone reads "In loving memory of CHARLOTTE, beloved wife of W.H. Ball, who died October 28th 1897, aged 66 years./"With Christ" which is far better".
Cheers, K.
On 28 October 1897, Charlotte (Balment) Ball, age 66, died, at home. Home was now 18 Railway Terrace, Penarth. Her death certificate states that the cause of death was "morbus cordis", certified by Charles John, MRCS. The informant of the death was H. Ball, her son, Henry. He is noted as being present at the death. His address is given as 50 Plassey Street, Penarth and the death was registered on 30 October 1897.
What does "morbus cordis" mean? It is the Latin term for "heart disease". It is important to note that older death certificates will use Latin to state medical conditions rather than common terminology.
Knowing that William lived until 1927, it is sad to know that Charlotte died 30 years before him. How did her passing affect the family? The 1901 census points to the fact that daughter Charlotte, son-in-law, William Down, and grandson, William Ball, had moved in with William.
Charlotte was buried in the cemetery at
St. Augustine's Church, Penarth.
Cheers, K.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Charlotte Balment - Life in Wales with a growing family
Sometime between after March 1858 and early 1861, Charlotte and William moved from Bray Town, Devon to Scurlage, Llanddewi, Wales. It must have been a big change to moved household across the Bristol Channel and to settle in a new place. What pushed or pulled them? The lure of a job, better home, family, friends or a tradegy? If I ever come across the answers, I will be sure to post.
Following their move to Gower, Charlotte gave birth to John (1861), Henry (1863), Elizabeth (1865), Charlotte (1868) and Thomas (1875). The family lived in Scurlage Castle as late as the 1881 census, before moving on to Penarth.
What was life like for Charlotte with 6 children with 17 years between the youngest and eldest? Very busy, I would suspect.
Cheers, K.
Following their move to Gower, Charlotte gave birth to John (1861), Henry (1863), Elizabeth (1865), Charlotte (1868) and Thomas (1875). The family lived in Scurlage Castle as late as the 1881 census, before moving on to Penarth.
What was life like for Charlotte with 6 children with 17 years between the youngest and eldest? Very busy, I would suspect.
Cheers, K.
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