| Biography | Elizabeth Winchester was the daughter of Humphrey Winchester (1740-1814) and Elizabeth Winchester, nee Mower (c. 1745-1814).
Elizabeth was baptised on 15 May 1770 in Bakewell, one of ten children, of whom only three survived into adulthood: Elizabeth, her brother James (1767-1849) and sister Mary Ann (1784-1838). Her father was baptised in Chesterfield and her parents were married in Eyam in 1766, at which point Humphrey Winchester was styled 'Gentleman' of Bakewell. Elizabeth Mower's father was probably James Mower, Gentleman, of Eyam. James Mower and Humphrey Winchester had lead mining interests and in a deed dated 1789 (D195/T/11-12), Humphrey Winchester is described as a lead merchant. Possibly as a result of the decline in the local lead industry, the family's fortunes appear also to have declined, and consequently the children had to go out to work.
Elizabeth went into service with the Devonshires at Chatsworth, becoming lady's maid to 'Little G', Georgiana Howard, Countess of Carlisle, who was the eldest child of the 5th Duke of Devonshire and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire.
Elizabeth's brother, James, also moved to London, and his death notice (Derby Mercury, 19 December 1849) states that he had been clerk in the banking house of Messrs Smith, Payne and Smiths for 50 years. Her sister, Mary Ann, moved to Manchester, where she married William Cowperthwaite, a cabinet maker, at Manchester Cathedral in 1813.
By the 1851 Census, Elizabeth Winchester, was described as a fund holder, and was visiting Charles and Isabella Fitch at 14a Chester Terrace, St George Hanover Square, Middlesex. She died in 1855 in London and was buried on 16 February 1855, age 84, at Kensal Green All Souls. Isabella Fitch was executrix and primary legatee in her will.
Elizabeth's other siblings were:
Thomas, baptised 19 July 1769 and buried 21 July 1769
Thomas, baptised 11 May 1771 and possibly buried 14 May 1771
Ann, baptised 19 May 1772 and buried 15 July 1772
William, baptised 7 July 1773 and possibly buried 9 July 1773
Mary, baptised 3 July 1774 and buried 27 March 1775
Lydia, baptised 7 August 1776 and buried 26 August 1779
Francis, baptised 1 September 1779 and buried 13 September 1779 |