Ellen Weeton

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Ellen Weeton (1776-1850), also known as Nelly or Nellie Weeton, and by the married name Mrs Stock, was a Lancashire school mistress, woman letter writer and governess who was the author of Journal of a Governess, two volumes describing her life as a governess in the years 1807–1825.

Life[edit]

Weeton was born in Up Holland in Lancaster on Christmas Day 1776 (or around 1777 according to some sources).[1] She was baptised "Nelly" at St John the Evangelist's Church, Lancaster. She was named after her father's ship at his request. Her father was away when she was baptised.[2] (Some sources call her "Ellen") Her father transported slaves and worked for privateers.[3]

She was very educated for a woman of the time,[4] and was employed throughout her life as a school mistress and governess, one of the few respectable occupations available to a woman during this period.

She is known for writing letters to her brother who she held in very high regard when she started to copy the letters into a journal.

Weeton was well travelled, visiting Yorkshire, the Lake District, North Wales, the Isle of Man, and London.[4] She was also a keen walker, and her exploits included an ascent of Snowdon, which she climbed alone in June 1825, aged 48.[1] On the Isle of Man, she records walking 35 miles in a day, and ascending Greeba.[1]

Marriage[edit]

She married Aaron Stock at Holy Trinity Parish Church in Liverpool in 1814.[5] A daughter, Mary, was born the following year. She had married him at the suggestion of her brother and it worked out poorly. Her new husband abused her and in time he demanded a separation threatening that he would have her confined to an asylum if she disagreed.[3]

In 1821, Stock appeared in court for an assault on Weeton; she and her husband formally separated. Due to this, Weeton surrendered custody of her daughter, whom she would not see again until 1828.[1]

Published work[edit]

Weeton published nothing in her lifetime. Four volumes of her correspondence[6] and some journals were gathered in 1936 and 1939 by Edward Hall,[7] and were subsequently edited by JJ Bagley in 1969 as Miss Weeton's Journal of a Governess in two volumes.[8]

Death and legacy[edit]

She died in 1849 and she left her journals to her church minister. They reappeared in a book shop in Wigan in 1925 where they were found by Edward Hall.[3] He edited them and they were published two volumes as Miss Weeton: a Journal of a Governess in 1936.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Andrews, Kerri (2020). Wanderers : A History of Women Walking. London: Reaktion Books Ltd. ISBN 9781789143423.
  2. ^ "Ellen Weeton: Biography | Orlando". orlando.cambridge.org. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Matthew, H. C. G.; Harrison, B., eds. (23 September 2004). "The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. ref:odnb/45866. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/45866. Retrieved 23 January 2023. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. ^ a b Berry, RJA. "Ellen Weeton" (PDF). The Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  5. ^ Coen, Susie (20 November 2016). "Mystery of Liverpool Georgian woman's life uncovered by new book". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Ellen Weeton, Journals and Letters". Wigan Council. Wigan and Leigh Archives. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  7. ^ Weeton, Ellen (1939). Edward Hall (ed.). Journal of a Governess, 1811-1825. Oxford University Press.
  8. ^ Weeton, Ellen (1969). Miss Weeton's Journal of a Governess. Newton Abbot: David & Charles Publishers. ISBN 9780715342923.
  9. ^ Weeton (Nelly), Miss (1936). 1807-1811. Oxford University Press, H. Milford.

Further reading[edit]

  • Kerri Andrews: Wanderers : a history of women walking, London : Reaktion Books, 2020, ISBN 978-1-78914-342-3
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