Elizabeth Poole c.1816-1867

Parents: Thomas Poole, weaver (1)
Born: c.1816
Baptised: ?

Married: John Whiting, batchelor, of Burton End, son of John Whiting, Weaver, on 12th May 1838 at St Mary's Parish Church, Haverhill. Witnessed by Charles Bryant and Sophia Poole. (1)
Children: Illegitimate son John Siggs Poole b.1831, William Whiting b. 1839 and Moses Whiting b.1844
Died: 12th January 1867 in Haverhill, of cancer. Buried at St Mary's Parish Church on 19th January 1867(2,3)

Bio: Lived in Beggars Row, Haverhill at the time of her marriage. She had an illegitimate child on 2nd Jan 1831, who was christened John Siggs Poole(4), prior to this marriage. The 'Siggs' could well be a clue to his parentage. On the 1841 census, Elizabeth is living in Burton End with husband John and their son William. John Poole is also living with them. For 1851, the family unit has the addition of son Moses, and they are all living in Burton End. Elizabeth's illegitimate son is known as John Poole Whiting and similarly to her husband, he works as a weaver.

By 1861, John Poole has moved out and Elizabeth is still living in Burton End with husband and sons William and Moses. Elizabeth's husband died in September 1866. She is recorded has having died on 12th January 1867 in Haverhill, of cancer. Elizabeth is described as the widow of John Whiting, a drabbet weaver, and the informant was Maria Wiseman, who was present at the death which was registered on 14th January 1867.

Elizabeth's offspring Moses was to go on to commit the murder of his son in 1876, and at the inquest when commenting on cases of insanity in the family, it was rumoured that Elizabeth had cut her throat, and her sisters had made attempts on their lives.(5) I have found no evidence of this. Looking at her death certificate suggests this may well just have been gossip.

Sources:

(1) Suffolk Records Office, Bury St Edmunds, Parish Registers of St Mary's Church, Haverhill. Fiche 578/4/p22 of 37
(2) Suffolk Records Office, Bury St Edmunds, Parish Registers of St Mary's Church, Haverhill. Fiche 578/4/p37 of 37
(3) Death Register. 1st Quarter, Risbridge District, Volume 4a Page 275
(4) Suffolk Records Office, Bury St Edmunds, Parish Registers of St Mary's Church, Haverhill. Fiche 578/4
(5) Jane Harwood's article in the Haverhill History Group journal, 'Shocking Case of Child Murder', based on accounts from the Bury Press, 30th September 1876 and Bury & Norwich Post, 28th November 1876.