Sarah Shirt (1774 - abt. 1848)

Born 1774 in St Clement Danes, Middlesex, England

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Biography

"Sarah Shirt" is mentioned in the Poor Rates Tax Assessments for every year from 1808 to 1830. (A tax on property levied in each parish, which was used to provide poor relief). As her mother died in 1828, at least the last two must have pertained to her.

1828: Mother's will: "To my daughter Sarah Shirt .. executor with William, £300 plus all the furnuiture in her room, bedstead & bedding with two pair of best sheets". Written 18 Feb 1828. So she was then a 54 yr old spinster living at home.

1839: Brother George's will: "I bequeath unto my sister Sarah Shirt, Spinster £50 in 3% Consuls". Written 04 Sep 1839. She was by then a 65 yr old spinster.

1855: Brother Nathaniel's will: "My request is to have an Inscription written under the inscription of my sister Sarah Shirt on the same stone in the burial ground at Hammersmith ... as it is my intention to be buried in the same Grave as my sister". Written 29 Jun 1855. So she never married, or married another Shirt when older than 65!

We know she was buried at the "Burial ground at Hammersmith" from Nathaniel’s will. She died between 04 Sep 1839 (George’s will mentions her) and 29 Jul 1855 (Nathaniel’s will says she’s buried), aged at least 65. As of 1854 burials were not allowed in churchyards, so she prob. died before then.

From Monumental Inscriptions copied on 21 Jul 1882 from the old Hammersmith Churchyard before it was demolished to make way for the new church now under the flyover: "In memory of Mrs Sarah Shirt, who departed this life the 31st of January 1848, aged 68 years". Hammersmith & Fulham Local History Library Ref: DD/279/1 No 199. She would have actually been 73 and perhaps single (ie not a ‘Mrs’), but it may well have been her.

Burial Record : Buried 8 Feb 1848 Hammersmith Aged 68.

Sources

CHRISTENED: 25 September 1774, Westminster, St Clements Dane. Copy of record.

DEATH: 1848 Q1 Kensington. Vol 3, Page 271. Copy of record.