Sarah Crook Morley: A “woman of colour” and status in Regency England

By John D Ellis

The marriage of William Morley of Green Street House, at St Mary Magdelene Church, East Ham on the 27^th of August 1807 was significant enough to be commented upon by newspapers beyond London.^[1]Norfolk Chronicle, 5 September 1807. findmypast.co.uk Perhaps, it was because William Morley was a man of substance (formerly a corn merchant in the city of London), who resided in a property reputed to have been built by Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn (hence the local name of the house – ‘Boleyn Castle’). It may have been because there was a significant age gap between the groom and the bride – the former was in his late sixties whilst the latter was described as an “amiable young woman”. It might also have been because Miss Sarah Crook (also transcribed as Cooke, Crooke and Crookes) was a “…woman of colour”.^[2]Norfolk Chronicle, 5 September 1807. findmypast.co.uk For the marriage see: Essex Marriages And Banns, 1537-1935. Essex Record Office. D/P 156/1/6. Page 14. © Ada Brady. findmypast.co.uk

Much is known about both William Morley and Green Street House, but far less about Sarah Crook. This article will discuss all three.

William Morley

William Morley was born c.1741. A widower with at least two adult children when he re-married in 1807, he was the owner of Green Street House, also referred to as Green Street Place and locally as ‘Boleyn Castle’. William and Sarah Morley had two children: David Morley, born in December 1811 and Harriet Morley born in June 1815. They were baptised together in February 1817 at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, East Ham.^[3]Their father was identified as William Morley, ‘Gentleman’ and their mother as Anne –revealing that Sarah Morley was actually named Sarah Anne Morley. Service of Church: Registers of Baptisms, … Continue reading

William Morley, aged 91 years of Green Street Place (House), East Ham was buried at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, East Ham in March 1832.^[4]Essex Burial Index 1530-1994. Essex Record Office. D/P 156/1/22. findmypast.co.uk Essex Standard, 3 March 1832. findmypast.co.uk From the Gentleman’s Magazine, or Monthly Intelligencer of 1832:

In early life he was well known in the city of London as a corn merchant of the first respectability; and for more than thirty years he was engaged in transactions of the greatest magnitude. During his residence in Broad Street Buildings, he was strongly solicited to become Alderman of his Ward, but he firmly rejected all civic honours. Soon after the American War, he was offered a seat in Parliament by the then existing administration; but he was too fond of private scenes and virtues of a domestic and retired life, to engage in the strife of parties. Firmly attached to the English constitution, of which he was a great admirer, even in its present form, he was therefore no advocate for the recent changes and innovations which have become so popular in the present day. He considered most of these changes at least doubtful, if not altogether dangerous, and not likely to lead to any practical good, He retired from commercial pursuits to his garden and farm about forty years ago, in which he felt more than ordinary delight. Those who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance of late years, could recognise in him the real type of an old country gentleman, a blessing to the surrounding population, by the employment of the poor, and the support of numerous families. His countenance was expressive, and animated with noble and generous feelings, always lively and agreeable, and a fit companion for the young, during the tranquillity of old age; for in his society, they could always find an interest and delight. A Christian from conviction and inquiry, and by education and habit attached to the form of the Church of England, yet he was no bigot, for he admired good and intelligent persons of every denomination of Christians. Whenever he thought he saw any goodness or truth, such principles and virtues commended his admiration. His health was remarkably fine; he was a water drinker and opposed to the use of fermented liquors of every kind. After a few weeks’ illness, his death was peculiarly calm and serene.

His mansion, which is now about to be sold, is an object of great curiosity to the English antiquary, particularly the tower, which furnishes a panoramic view of the surrounding country and winding of the river Thames. This tower having the reputation of having been built by Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn; but Lysons remarks that it is evidently of more modern date. A garden of about five acres walled round, and about 150 acres of land, may become an object of attention to gentleman of like habits and fortune, and fond of a spot possessing so many attractions, as to render it an object of curiosity and pleasure even to strangers.^[5]Gentleman’s Magazine, or Monthly Intelligencer, Volume 33.1832. Sylvanus Urban (pseud. Edward Cave). findmypast.co.uk

In his will, William Morley directed that his estate be sold and that the proceeds should be divided between his children and his “dear wife” Sarah, with the latter being the main beneficiary.^[6]England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Willis, 1384-1858. PROB 11/1797. ancestry.co.uk He is remembered locally by ‘William Morley Close’, Upton Park.^[7]The stories behind some of Newham’s road names | Newham Recorder

Sarah Crook

According to the 1851 Census for England Sarah Morley (nee’ Crook) was born in Calcutta (Kolcata, India) c.1786.^[8]1851 England Census. GRO HO 107/1582/243/21/83. findmypast.co.uk However, her Death Certificate (1852) suggested that she was 80 years of age, indicating that she had been born c.1772. It is worth noting that the 1851 Census is the only record in which Sarah Crook volunteered her own age.^[9]Ibid. A search of the parish registers of the British India Office on findmypast.co.uk reveals that a Sarah Crookes, the daughter of a Sergeant Thomas Crookes and his wife Eleanor was baptised at Fort William, Bengal in April 1788.^[10]Sarah Crookes, the daughter of Sergeant Thomas Crookes and Eleanor his wife, was baptised at Fort William, Bengal in April 1788. She had been born in 1788. It is not known whether Thomas Crookes … Continue reading Whilst ethnicity is not referenced for the three ‘Crookes’, that does not preclude the possibility that Eleanor was of Indian origin or ‘mixed heritage’. (Soldiers of African or Asian – usually referred to as ‘Black’ or ‘of colour’ – were rarely promoted, so it is likely that Sergeant Thomas Crookes was White). Relationships between White British and Irish soldiers and Indian/’mixed heritage’ women were common at the time.^[11]For examples of relationships between British soldiers, be they White, Black or of ‘mixed heritage’ and Indian women see: … Continue reading The surname and year of birth of ‘Sarah Crookes’ are sufficiently close to suggest a possible match with the 1851 Census.

William Morley’s daughter from his first marriage (also Sarah, 1769-1845) had married Captain Joseph Boulderson (1764-1828) of the ‘Honourable East India Company’s’ (‘HEIC’) Maritime Service. In 1802 he returned to Britain after seventeen years ‘afloat’ and was appointed Superintendent of London Docks at Wapping.^[12]www.geni.com/people/Captain-Joseph-Boulderson/6000000015729999966 Joseph and Sarah Boulderson resided at East Ham, the same place as William Morley. It is entirely possible that Sarah Crook travelled from India with Joseph Boulderson, or that he or Sarah Boulderson later facilitated her introduction to William Morley after she had travelled to Britain independently. William and Sarah Morley had two children: David Morley (1811-1886) who moved to Ardwick, Manchester where he married. He and his family emigrated to Australia in the early 1850s. Harriet Morley (1815-1904) married Thomas Townsend Glascott (1801-1880), a copper merchant with whom she had at least nine children.^[13]‘Pat Young Family Tree’ (Simon Kitchen). findmypast.co.uk One daughter was named Eleanor Glascott (1839-1882) and a son was named William Morley Glascott (1851-1930). Whilst the latter was clearly named after William Morley (1741-1832), might the former have been named after Eleanor Crookes of Fort William, Bengal?^[14]The Glascott family later emigrated to Australia. ‘Pat Young Family Tree’ (Simon Kitchen). findmypast.co.uk A second daughter, Harriet Frances Glascott (1824-1924), was named as a beneficiary in Sarah Morley’s Will.

Following the death of William, Sarah Morley continued to reside at East Ham. Although no longer resident at Green Street House, it is clear that she still owned property in the area. From the Essex Herald, 8 March 1834:

Essex Lent Assizes. Matthew Gorman, 67, labourer, was convicted of stealing three bushels of wheat, a sack, two forks, a pair of pincers, and various other articles, the property of his mistress, Sarah Morley, of East Ham. The prisoner had been thirty-two years in Mrs Morley’s service as watchman; in February last, some sheep were stolen from Mrs Morley’s fields; the prisoner was suspected, and his house being searched, the articles charged in the indictment were found, and identified by Trevania Hugo, as being his mistresses’ property.- Six months hard labour.^[15]Essex Herald, 3 March and 8 March 1834. findmypast.co.uk According to findmypast.co.uk Trevannyan (Trevanyan) Pike Hugo was born c.1801 and buried at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, East Ham in March … Continue reading

Matthew Gorman had been employed by Sarah Morley prior to her marriage, suggesting that she, or her family, were sufficiently wealthy to afford to employ servants (or at least one – with a local ‘watchman’ being particularly useful for someone newly arrived from India c.1802 (the same year Joseph Boulderson returned from India). However, employing a servant might cast doubt on the possibility that Sarah Morley, nee’ Crook, was Sarah Crookes the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor Crookes of Fort William, Bengal. Few former enlisted soldiers or their children returned to Britain as wealthy ‘nabobs’.

Ownership of Green Street House passed to distant relatives of William Morley, and Sarah Morley appears to have moved to Temple House, Wakefield Street, East Ham. An examination of the 1831 Census fails to identify Sarah Morley in East Ham. Which suggests that whilst she might have retained property there, she did not reside there permanently.^[16]1841 England Census. findmypast.co.uk

In 1851 Sarah Morley was residing at Jasmine Cottage, Park Street, Camberwell. She was a widow, aged 65 years, a Fund Holder by occupation, and had been born at Calcutta, (Kolcata, India) and was a British Subject.^[17]1851 England Census. GRO HO 107/1582/243/21/83. Living with Sarah Morley were: Eleanor Glascott, grand-daughter, aged 11 years, a scholar born in London, Middlesex. Henry Glascott, grand-son, aged 8 years, a scholar born in East Ham, Essex. Maria Swindells, aged 20 years, a General Servant born in London, Middlesex.^[18]Ibid. Kolkata is in West Bengal. Fort William is in Kolkata and is the Head Quarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army. It is also, where Sarah Crookes was baptised in April 1788.

Sarah Morley died of bronchitis (of six weeks) and congestion of the brain at Jasmine Cottage, Park Street on the 15^th of February 1852. Her age was given as 80 years and she was described as the widow of William Morley, “Gentleman”.^[19]England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915. General Registry Office (GRO), March 1852. 1^st quarter. Volume 1d. Page 331.

The informant, who had been present at the death of Sarah Morley was Mary Deller of 9 Wellington Street, Southampton Street, Camberwell. The 1851 Census provides more information about Mary Deller: She was living at the home of her sister; Elizabeth Darvill, a widow aged 42 years who was a launderess by occupation and had three children. Both Elizabeth Darvill and Mary Deller had been born in Newington, Surrey. The latter was a widow, 44 years of age and an ‘annuitant’. She had one son; Albert Deller, who was 7 years of age and a scholar born in Newington, Surrey.^[20]1851 England Census. GRO HO 107/1582. Being in receipt of an annuity did not mean that Mary Deller was independently wealthy, and the fact that her sister was a launderess (not the best paid of occupations) and they had four children between them meant that finances were strained. There is no evidence that Mary Deller had any nursing experience, and the relationship between her and Sarah Morley may well have been either that of carer and patient, or friends.

The newspaper archives of findmypast.co.uk reveal that references to Sarah Morley’s death occurred in newspapers printed in London, Essex, Kent, Oxfordshire and Suffolk. In them, she is referred to as dying at Camberwell, being 80 years of age and being a resident of Temple House, East Ham.^[21]For an example, see: Essex Standard, 20 February 1852. findmypast.co.uk Like William Morley, she was buried at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, East Ham.^[22]East of London Family History Society. findmypast.co.uk The record of her burial noted that she was 79 years of age, but no mention was made of her origins or ethnicity.

The executors of Sarah Morley’s Will were her son, (David Morley), her stepson (William Morley) and William Maxwell of Temple Bar.^[23]England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1834-1858. TNA PROB 11/2147. ancestry.co.uk Sarah Morley’s estate included property and land at East Ham; six cottages, stables, outhouses and thirteen acres of land. The sum of £250 each was left to David Morley, two of the older of her husband’s children (including William Morley, the executor), Thomas Townsend Glascott and Eleanor and Harriet Glascott (two of the daughters of Thomas and Harriet Glascott – nee’ Morley).^[24]England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1834-1858. TNA PROB 11/2147. ancestry.co.uk Jasmine Cottage in Camberwell does not appear to have been mentioned, suggesting it was rented.

Green Street House

Green Street House, or Green Street Place, in East Ham was known locally as ‘Boleyn Castle’. Comprised of a large (described by some as ‘stately’) house and a castle like tower structure (Boleyn’s Tower). It was situated at the end of Green Street and on the boundary of West and East Ham. Legend has it that Henry VIII wooed Anne Boleyn there. West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground was built to the east of the house and took its name from it. William Morley purchased the house, tower and acres of land in the late 1780s. Upon his death, ownership passed to a distant relative (also a Morley), and it was later used as a school, a church and a maternity home. It was demolished in 1955.

Conclusion

The first question is whether Sarah Morley, nee’ Crook, was “of colour”? The newspapers that reported her marriage in 1807 appear to have been certain. However, Sarah Morley’s ethnicity was never mentioned again. Was this because the original reference was incorrect or because social class and the reputation of William Morley protected Sarah? Contemporary newspapers were quick to reference ethnicity if it was linked to crime, relationships and longevity. The union of William and Sarah Morley included a marriage, and differences based on age, ethnicity and (probably) social class. It might be assumed that William Morley’s decision to retire from public life in the late eighteenth century, albeit remaining a philanthropic local figure, meant that the couple lived a life out of the public gaze. Additionally, and whilst Sarah Morley was identified as being “of colour”, if she was Sarah Crookes of Fort William and her mother (Eleanor Crookes) was of ‘mixed heritage’ and her father (Thomas Crookes) was White then it might be that her ethnicity was not deemed to have been ‘quantitively sufficient’ to be worthy of further mention. Anecdotally, and after exploring the lives of eighteenth and nineteenth century Black and Asian soldiers, sailors and inmates of Newgate Gaol a decidedly unscientific observation is that whilst the children of “people of colour” are similarly referenced, the ethnicity of their grandchildren is not usually commented on. In effect, an individual’s identify was being defined in relation to how ‘non-White’ they were judged to be by White people. Identifying, acknowledging and unpicking this process is both morally and procedurally challenging. It does not sit easily with this researcher that the process of exploring Black and Asian history is caveated by the requirement to make judgements regarding who in the past would be considered “Black/Asian” enough to ‘pass muster’ as the same today. In effect, perpetuating a judgement  – particularly on those of ‘mixed heritage’.

Perhaps further mention of ethnicity was not necessary: Sarah Morley appears to have been fortunate enough to lead a blameless and scandal free existence – protected by her status (wealth, social class) and not withstanding how difficult things must have been for a “woman of colour” in nineteenth century England. However, she must have had to work ceaselessly and tirelessly whilst demonstrating considerable financial acumen to control her wealth and status in order to ensure that her legacy (and that of her husband) was distributed equitably. One is left to wonder though, how she defined herself?