Author: Linda Martin

Born: c.1818

Died: 22nd September 1882

Martha’s Story

This is the traumatic story of Martha, showing the chaos and suffering caused by addiction that led to her spending the last part of her life as a pauper in Sussex Asylum.

Martha Sabina was born late 1817 or very early in January 1818. Her parents were Jane Paris and John Tolhurst, a labourer. She was baptised on 18th January 1818 in the parish church of Udimore, East Sussex. Udimore is a small village 5 miles west of Rye, Rother, East Sussex.

Martha was named after Jane’s sister, Martha Sabrina Paris (1798-1849).

(St Mary’s Church, Udimore)

Martha’s Parents

Martha’s father, John, was the son of John Tolhurst and Ann Polhill. Her mother, Jane, was the daughter of Robert Paris and Jane West.

Robert and Jane were both born in 1792 in Westfield near Hastings; they married in Westfield on 25th July 1816. Their first child, John West Tolhurst, was baptised in Udimore parish church on 6th October 1816. John’s occupation was recorded as “Labourer”.

John and Martha are the only children I found born to the couple.

A newspaper article from October 1839 reports Martha’s father John and his brother Tilden appearing before the magistrate on a serious charge of sheep stealing.

(Brighton Gazette, 17th Oct 1839)

(Brighton Gazette, 24th Oct 1839)

In the first article, John is described as a “Huckster”, which is a door to door salesman. The second article states that the brothers received a sentence of “ten years transportation”. However, they are found together two years later on the “Leviathan” Convict Hulk in Portsea, Hampshire (1841 Census).

By 1851, John and Jane are living at 6 Bourne Street in Hastings. John is described as a “Horsedealer”, and his brother Tilden was released from prison before the ten-year sentence was completed. Tilden married in 1847 and had a child in 1848. The 1851 Census records Tilden as “Inn Keeper” of the Prince of Wales Inn, Hastings, where he was living with his wife and son.

Martha & Henry Veness

In the 1841 Census, we find Martha (recorded as Sabina) living independently from her parents at Hill Street, Hastings. She was aged 20, working as a dressmaker, and living in shared accommodation. One door away is her future husband, Henry Veness, aged 25. He was recorded as a “groom” living with others.

Henry Veness was the son of Stephen Veness and Ann Streeter. He was baptised on 2nd June 1816 at Ninfield in Sussex.

On 14th November 1842, the couple married in Udimore. Martha was in the late stages of pregnancy with their first child Emily. Emily was registered in the 1st quarter of 1843 and baptised on 27th January 1843 at St Clements, Hastings.

Their second child was Sarah Elizabeth Jane. She was also baptised at St Clements on 28th November 1845, and registered in the 1st quarter of 1846.

George Henry, the couple’s third child, was born In 1848. He was baptised on 20th April 1848 at St Mary in the Castle, Hastings.

Marital problems

By 1850, Martha and Henry’s marriage had turned acrimonious.

Martha gave birth to a daughter, registering her in the 2nd quarter of 1850, and she named her after herself: Martha Sabina Veness. In a later newspaper report, Henry claimed he was not the father. He stated that Martha deserted the family 6-7 years after their marriage (around 1848 or 1849) and had been living in adultery with another man.

On 6th August 1950, the Sussex Gazette reported on the court case of Martha Sabina Veness v Henry Veness:

This was a charge of assault made against the husband by the wife. Their cases having come before the bench so repeatedly and the present being one of many similar charges, it is needless again to report it.

The Magistrates dismissed the case after hearing the evidence on both sides. The Complainant was reported leaving the hall “holding forth” against the decision of the bench. The Mayor said he should not listen to such trumpery cases in future.

In November 1850, a newspaper reported Martha, her mother, and a servant being charged with an assault on Henry that occurred on the 15th of November. The article states, “from a good deal of contradictory evidence”, that Henry was passing his mother-in-law’s house when he found that his son George was there. Henry was surprised because he had sent George (only 2 years’ old) to school in Lewes.

The article reports that Henry entered the house to obtain possession of George. Not finding him on the lower floor, he began to proceed upstairs. However, Mrs Tolhurst took hold of Henry’s leg, his wife grabbed his neckerchief, and the servant seized his coat tails. Together, they pulled him into the front room, closed the blinds, and shut the door.

Then Martha held Henry’s throat so tightly as to nearly choke him. “A Mr Charles Baker, on hearing what was the matter, went in to find Veness black in the face and much troubled to speak; he quickly cut [Henry’s] ‘kerchief and rescued him.”

The Bench fined Mrs Tolhurst and Mrs Veness 21 shillings and dismissed the servant.

The fine of 21 shillings doesn’t seem to reflect the charge, as Martha was later imprisoned for petty larceny. We do not know the conflicting evidence, so maybe the report is biased towards Henry. I have been unable to establish Martha’s mother’s address at the time.

The 1851 Census records Martha living at 6 Bourne Street. Was Henry really ‘just passing’ or was he aware that George was there? I found a possible address for the witness Charles Baker, the Inn Keeper of the Kings Head, Hill Road. Did he go with Henry to retrieve George?

How Martha gained possession of her son is unknown. Did she have baby Martha as well? In the 1851 Census the baby is in the care of a child nurse in West Sussex, but George is still with Martha in 1851.

Martha would have been desperate to see her other two daughters.

1851 Census

In 1851, Martha is residing at 2 Coburg Place in Hastings, aged 34. The Census states she is a Riding Master’s wife and that her son George is with her, aged 3. Also at the property is Richard Jenner, “a Bootmaker”, and his wife and children.

The 1851 Census records Henry as a visitor at the Swan Tap Inn, Hill Street, Hastings. He is listed as a “Riding Master” and his age is incorrectly recorded as 31.

Both daughters, Emily and Sarah, are living with Henry’s parents in 12 North Street, Hastings. This is approximately 1.5 miles west along the seafront, towards St Leonards.

Martha’s daughter and namesake Martha is listed as a “nurse child” in the home of Harriet Spilsbury. Harriet is 43, a widow, and a “Basket Hat Maker” living with her children in Henfield, approximately 44 miles west of Hastings.

I am unable find any information as to why Martha – aged 1 – has been placed in Harriet’s care, so far away from her family. Was she removed from Martha’s care?

Martha Endeavours to See Her Children

On 16th May 1851, a newspaper headline reads: “The Old Story Again”. The corresponding article reports that Martha accused Henry and his father Stephen of assaulting her when she called at North Street to see her children. The case was dismissed.

On 2nd November 1852, the Sussex Advertiser states that Martha appeared before the bench “again”. Martha wanted to see her children, alleging that her husband had detained them. She claimed that the children were ill clad and in need of food. Martha also stated that her own allowance (3 shillings a week from her husband) was insufficient. The bench referred her to the Board of Guardians.

(Sussex Advertiser, 30th August 1853)

Things do not get any better in the next newspaper article from 30th August 1853. Martha has been charged for addressing her husband Henry with obscene and abusive language in front of Eversfield Place, not for the first time. The bench dismissed the case.

(Eversfield Place, on the seafront in Hastings. Photograph from the Hastings Archive.)

Where is Martha?

Did Martha give up at this point? I found no trace of her until 1867, when she appears again in newspaper reports from Hastings. The articles share the same old story of Martha drunkenly assaulting her husband at his home.

In later statements, Henry alleged that Martha had been living in adultery in Chelsea, London, for some time.

I tried to find Martha in the 1861 Census. I also searched for her in Chelsea, Kensington, and Westminster. She may have been known by her partner’s surname; I searched using just her Christian names Martha or Sabina without any success.

Martha’s mother may have died in March 1863, as there is a death of a Jane Tolhurst recorded in Hastings.

1868

In 1868, Martha is back in Hastings and there are plenty of newspaper articles reporting on her behaviour.

7th May 1868: Obscene language, Hard labour or pay fine £3.11s.

9th October 1868: Disturbing the peace, 7 days hard labour.

1869: receiving stolen goods, 2 months imprisonment.

Martha was not even averse to stealing from her own daughter Emily.

(Hastings and St Leonards News, 4th June 1869)

28 October 1870: 3 months imprisonment, for larceny with previous convictions.

January 1871: removed from Hastings to a workhouse.

Depictions of Martha

There are many colourful articles that describe Martha trying to blag her way out of situations. She was known in court for her long and rambling explanations regarding her behaviour. In one case, she said: “I’ve done nothing, indeed I have not. I’m as innocent as a baby”.

Unfortunately for Martha, her past was well documented, so there was often no sympathy and sentences were passed.

The 1871 Census records a Mrs Veness married, aged 57, as a lodger at Bentick Cottage, Hastings. Is this Martha?

On 14th June 1873, the Bretts St. Leonards and Hastings Gazette reports:

On 24th October 1873, a newspaper headline reads: Martha again, describing Martha as an untidy looking woman: Charged with unlawful procession of a walking stick. Sentence 6 months with previous.

On 1st November 1873, the Bretts St Leonards and Hastings Gazette printed a song about Martha. This gives a flavour of how infamous she was and how she was regarded locally.

SONGS OF THE SESSIONS – 394.

Pains, Penalties and Para grams of the Hastings Police Court.

MARTHA SABINA

One Martha Sabina appears on subpoena,

Where people contentiously talk,

Because as a matron she made herself patron

To walking-stick willing to walk.

Sabina surmising that no way surprising

Was walking-stick wanting to flaunt,

On Stick bestowed pity—as told by our ditty—

And took the poor stick for a jaunt.

Yea, Martha Sabina, in tradesman’s arena,

While asking for butter from soap,

Set traders agawking, that with her out walking

The stick might have chance to elope.

Sabina concealing, with tenderest feeling,

Her protégé under her cloak,

With walking-stick missled, and stick—owner chissled;

As though ’twas a capital joke.

But Martha Sabina ne’er reached the Marina

While sticking quite close to her stick,

Before a cute Bobby, quite true to his hobby,

Discovered the walking-stick trick.

He knew that Sabina had theretofore been a

Too frequenter at court—

That Martha, so tricky, with digits so sticky,

Would stick to her stick, though in sport.

He knew that Sabina was good for a scena,

E’en though ’twere to pleasure Old Nick ;

And thought his detection might show the affection

Sabina still had for her stick.

Sabina arrested, was very soon bested,

As though she the stick did suborn,

Whilst nought could avail her but jail and the Jailer

“Though pure as a baby unborn”.

Poor Martha Sabina will ne’er be Czarina,

At least, not for six months to come;

Although she’ a Venus, and may stand between us

To order the gods to be dumb,

If such thing should happen, it maybe our Cap’n

Whose pen is so fond of erratics,

Will banish his funning, so wretchedly punning;

And bury his paragramatics.

Then Martha Sabina, our laughing hyena,

Shall cure of his grinagog rhymes,

If she but abstain from, and ever refrain from:

Repeating her walking-stick crimes.

(Words and spelling are in accordance with the article.)

On 8th July 1874, the Hastings and St. Leonards Observer reports on Martha stealing from the dispensary. She is sentenced to 1 year custodial and 7 years police supervision.

On 7th August 1875, another article about Martha was printed in the Hastings and St Leonards Observer. This gives us an insight into how Martha was viewed in Hastings, namely ‘a little touched’.

A Singular career. Under this heading, a county contemporary says: – “One of the Habitual Criminals’ who torment the Hastings Magistrates from time to time was again before the bench on Saturday. The accused, a middle aged woman, named Martha Sabina Veness, has had an eventful career during the last eight or nine years. She first appeared before the dock in early 1868 on a charge of drunkenness. During that year she was subject of some costly proceedings before the Magistrates on the part of the Board of Guardians. Her earliest capers had been to create disturbances at the house of her husband, where she was refused admittance. She next sort refuge in the union house. The Guardians endeavoured to compel the husband to maintain her. He defended the summons, and brought evidence to show that she had deserted her home and had gone to Chelsea, where she lived in adultery with another man. In 1869 she was imprisoned for a petty theft, and again in 1870, and these incidents she varied with drunkenness, vagrancy, and disorderly conduct, up to January 1871, when she made a seventh appearance in the dock. She was then quiet, from removal from the town and partial residence in the workhouse, until August, 1873, at which date, .as also in October of the same year, and again in May 1874, she was sent to prison for other thefts of a petty character. On the last occasion she had twelve months and police supervision. The time was only up ten or twelve days since. Mrs Veness came back to Hastings, but failed to report her re-appearance to Supt Glenister. On Friday evening she again found herself in limbo. One of her earliest visits, on return +, had been to the shop of Mr Jenner, Pelham Street. That worthy tradesman was entertained with a story that the new boot she showed him had been bought from him “twelve months ago last hopping” (shopping?) but its fellow had been stolen. In hunting up another odd boot, Mr Jenner also found the fellow to the one Mrs Veness had bought; and circumstances came to his mind which produced the conviction that prisoner had stolen that boot she bought, as he distinctly remembered her visit in 1873.During last week her impudence, or some other quality, took her to the Prosecutor’s shop several times. On one of those occasions she stole a boy’s side spring boot out of the window, and afterwards left it in care of Mrs Robinson, a landlady, at Bohemia. The boot remained on the bar- counter the greater part of two days: and to questions asked about it by customers, led to the imparting of information as to Martha Sabina’s failings. The boot was handed over to the police, and on being sworn to, Mr Jenner was recognised, and the fellow was found in the window.- The prisoner, as she always does, told some singular stories, to account for the possession of the boots. It is evident that she Is gifted with immense powers of imagination, or is- as many suspect who hear her – ‘ a little touched’ – in reference to the rights of property. She has returned to be a guest at Capt Helby’s until the autumn quarter sessions.

(Grammar and punctuation are in accordance with the article)

I wonder if the Mr Jenner in this report is Mr Richard Jenner (the Bootmaker)? Martha was reported living with him and his family in 1851.

The image below lists Captain Helby Governor of Lewes Gaol. He later became Governor of Wandsworth prison:

The England and Wales Register of Habitual Criminals 1869-1876 gives the following description of Martha:

Height 4ft 11 3/4ins, hair grey, eyes light hazel, Fresh complexion. Dressmaker. Scars on forehead. Back of neck, left hand and nose.

The UK Police Gazette provides the same description in 1875:

Martha’s scarring is evidence of her troubled life.

Sussex Asylum

By 15th September 1875, Martha had been diagnosed as insane. She was transferred to the Sussex Asylum, a decision that was authorised by the secretary of state. Admission records below:

On 22nd January 1876, an application requesting funding for Martha was refused.

(Hastings and St Leonards Observer.)

On 12th February 1876, a report shows the application was later accepted by the Board of Guardians, with Mr Meadows to readmit the sum claimed.

Martha’s Death

On 22nd September 1882, Martha died, aged about 64. Her father had died the previous year in the Hastings Workhouse.

Martha was buried in the Sussex Asylum burial grounds in an unmarked grave. Even in death she made the newspapers.

(Hastings and St Leonards Observer)

Cause of Death

The cause of Martha’s death was recorded as “Brain Atrophy”.

What is brain atrophy? The information below is taken from online sources. 

People with brain atrophy lose brain cells and connections between their brain cells. Often, their brain volume also decreases. This can lead to problems with memory, thinking, and everyday tasks.

Interestingly, heavy drinking and Alcohol use Disorder (Alcoholism) are listed as potential causes. Researchers do not know all of the reasons why someone might develop the condition, but some influencing factors include:

• Genetics: studies show people with family history of alcohol use disorder have increased risk of developing it.
• Mental Health Conditions: such as Depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
• Neurodevelopmental Conditions: ADHD.

Did Martha’s problems start with potential post-natal depression, an allegedly abusive marriage, the traumatic breakup of that marriage, or a combination of multiple problems? Intriguingly, her drinking wasn’t apparent in reports until she came back from London.

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Martha’s Husband

Henry Veness:

In 1861 and 1871 Henry was living in lodgings in Hastings.

Nearly every month from 1868 to December 1874, newspapers commented on Henry’s work. Did Henry lose his employment because of all his problems with Martha?

In 1881, Henry was recorded as: “head of house, riding master and huntsman”. He was aged 65 and living with his son George, along with George’s wife and family. Henry’s unmarried sister Hannah is also listed. They were living at 37 Gensing Road Hastings.

On the 4th October 1884, Henry married Eliza Kempson, a single Governess/Teacher born in Birmingham.

Eliza can be found in the Hastings area from the 1851 Census onwards.

The couple’s marriage took place in St. James the Apostle, Lambeth. Why London and not Hastings?

By 1891, Henry and Eliza were living at 10 Alexandra Street, Hastings. On Ancestry, Eliza is wrongly transcribed as the wife of the man next door.

Eliza died in 1896: “Effects to Henry of £872.9s.2d”.

Henry died on 13th August 1900, and his death was announced in the newspapers under a coroner’s inquest on 24th August 1900. The inquest for Henry’s death took place at the Buchanan Cottage Hospital in St. Leonards.

Henry, aged 84, had been living with his son George, a “fly operator and carriage maker” (Taxi Carriage). They resided at 7 Shepherd Street, St Leonards. Sadly, George’s wife Jane died on 18th January 1900.

George was in the stables outside their home when his daughter came running. She told George that Henry had fallen downstairs, at least 6 or 7 steps. He had fallen previously due to weakness in his legs.

Henry was medically attended but was admitted to the Buchanan Cottage Hospital after three days with a fractured thigh bone. Witness and surgeon Mr George B Shirtliffe said that Henry’s care was under Mr Shaw and that he had been well cared for.

Henry’s cause of death was listed as heart failure, caused by being confined to bed after the accident.

“Effects to son George £364.2s.11d re-sworn to £755.12s.4d.”

Martha’s Children

Emily

In 1851, Emily was living with her paternal grandparent Stephen and Ann. In 1861, she was still living with them and helping her laundress grandmother. Emily is recorded as a “Starcher”.

In 1871, Emily’s grandfather Stephen was recorded as a widower, now working as a laundryman. Emily is listed as a laundress and her sister Martha is also living at the address working as a milliner.

On 4th December 1871, Emily married William Hammond, a builder, in St. Leonards.

In 1881 the couple were living at 1 St. Matthews Terrace in Hastings. William was recorded as a builder employing 10 men. Emily and William had 6 children at the time, and the youngest was just 2 months old.

Two more children were born before the family emigrated to Canada, arriving in Quebec on 6th August 1887.

Sadly, William’s died just 3 years later in York, Ontario, on 19th September 1890.

Emily remained in Toronto, the county of York, until her death on 9th July 1932. Her death certificate was based on information provided by her son. He gave Emily’s date of birth as 2nd January 1844 but it was actually 1843. Emily was 89 years old when she died, not 88 as the record incorrectly notes.

The Cause of death was listed as “Coronary Thrombosis”. Emily’s father was recorded as Henry Veness, and her mother’s maiden name was listed as “unknown”.

Sarah Elizabeth Jane

Sarah Elizabeth Jane was known as Jane. In 1851, she was also living with her grandparents Stephen and Ann. In 1861 Jane was still living with her grandparents, recorded as a “House Maid”, aged 14.

On 25th November 1867, Jane married Robert Sinnock, a bricklayer, in St. Leonards.

I only found one child born to the couple, and sadly the child’s death was recorded in 1871, just before the Census.

The 1871 Census happily shows that Jane and Robert adopted a daughter called Mary (Rosina). (Legal adoption didn’t come into force until 1926). Robert’s mother was living with the couple.

In 1891, Robert and Jane are recorded living on their own, and Mary seems to be missing. However, she appears again in 1896, when she married Joseph Bannister with Robert as a witness.

Jane’s death is recorded in 1900, in the same quarter and year as her father. She was only 55.

George Henry

I mentioned George in this story previously. He married Jane Smith Howell Tree on 13th October 1873 in St. Leonards.

I found three sons and a daughter born to the couple. George was widowed in 1900.

George’s second marriage took place on 23rd April 1902 at St John’s, Hollington, north of St Leonards. The bride was a spinster named Ellen Bryant.

In 1911 they were living together with George’s youngest son. In 1921, George was recorded as a retired coachman, aged 73, living with his wife Ellen in Tenterden, Kent.

George’s will and probate state that he died on 25th March 1934, when he was residing at 4 Tower Road West Hastings: “To Henry Stephen Veness, Chef, £429.16s.2d.”

I found a possible record of Ellen’s death in 1932 in Cranbrook, 8 miles west of Tenterden.

Martha Sabina

Martha Sabina’s mother, Martha, registered her daughter as her husband’s child. She was born on 2nd March 1850 at 14 White Rock Place.

Although Henry publicly declared that Martha was not his child, he and his parents took care of her, and she grew up alongside her supposed half siblings.

By 1851, Mary was in the care of a child nurse, living away from the family. Was this funded by Henry?

In the 1861 Census, Martha is living with her grandparents Stephen and Ann, along with her half siblings. Did she know she was not Henry’s child?

In 1871, Mary was recorded as a “Milliner”, aged 21, living with her grandfather Stephen.

In the fourth quarter of 1879, Martha married Walter Broadhurst, a coachman, in St. Leonards. By 1881 they were living on North Street, the same road Martha grew up on. I found six children born to the couple.

Walter died in 1929 and Martha died in 1937. The couple were living on Station Road in Hastings, where the deaths were registered.

Martha’s Parents

In 1861, John and Jane Tolhurst were residing alone in Robertsbridge, Sussex. John was an agricultural labourer.

Jane possibly died in 1863, and the death was registered in Hastings.

John spent the last years of his life in the Hastings Workhouse. He was recorded there in the 1871 Census. According to the newspaper below, it appears John was still there in 1877.

(South Eastern Advertiser, 26th May 1877)

There were two more men named John Tolhurst in the East Sussex area who were a similar age to John. One was a fisherman the other an ostler/horseman. A newspaper article from 1849 reports an assault on Henry Wingfield, and the case was resolved out of court.

If this is Martha’s father, he evidently left prison before his ten year transportation sentence.

Henry’s death is registered in 1881. He was buried in Ore on 26th March, aged 89, and was listed as being in the Hastings union workhouse.

Martha’s Brother John

John was recorded in the 1841 Census, residing at St Clements in Hastings. He was listed as a “Jobber” and his wife was called Catherine.

By 1851, John was in Hastings. The Census recorded him working as a “Beach Labourer”, living with Catherine. A baby named John White, aged either 9 months or 19 months, was recorded as a visitor.

On 5th April 1859, John was included in a list of overseers and surveyors for St Peters, City and Borough of Canterbury (Kentish Gazette)

On 26th August 1859, John was charged with selling foreign wine without a license.

By the time of the 1861 Census, John was working as a licensed “Victualler” at the Kings Arms St Peter’s Street, Canterbury. John and Catherine appear to have had a son Arthur, who was 8 years old.

On 11th January 1862, “Catherine of Broad Street” died in hospital, and her death was announced in the newspaper. In the same year, John appeared in the Electoral Register as: “John Tolhurst, Broad Street.”

I haven’t found records for the couple’s marriage or for the birth of their children. I cannot identify John after this date, but there are several John Tolhursts recorded living in Sussex and Kent.

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AUTHOR’S THOUGHTS

It hasn’t been easy to sum up Martha’s life. in many ways, I have admiration for her spirit, her quick wit, and the stories she told when she appeared in court. It was even reported that she made them laugh.

Was Martha a victim of circumstance or a law unto herself?

The marriage was a disaster. I believe both parties played an equal role, with numerous court cases of abuse and assault on both sides, many of which were dismissed.

Martha also fought for her children in court, even just to see them. Henry’s version of events stipulate that Martha left the home to live in adultery with another man, and that the youngest daughter (also named Martha) was not his. Is this how Henry managed to have his parents look after the children?

The 1851 Census shows that Martha did have her son George with her temporarily. How long was he with her? It’s impossible to be certain.

Martha later went to live in London. Henry claimed she was residing in Chelsea, but I haven’t been able to locate her there. Is this where her drinking started? Maybe she wasn’t living with the best of acquaintances or perhaps she lived with distant family. Maybe she had depression from losing her children.

When Martha returned to Hasting, years later, she started appearing in the newspapers as a drunken, discarded wife. Eventually, she was described by the police and the courts as a habitual criminal, even stealing from her daughter Emily.

Was all of this a cry for help? And how did she receive her all her bodily scaring?

It wasn’t until several weeks into Martha’s final prison sentence that they pronounced her as insane and transferred her to the Sussex Asylum.

Although the Asylum seems a terrible place to end your life, I am sure it was better than Martha’s stays in the workhouse and prison. In the Asylum, she would have received better care, a bed every night and food, opposed to her life outside: sometimes sleeping rough, stealing, and drinking to survive.

Rest in peace Martha.

Author: Linda Martin