Who Was Hannah Genders?

Source: Ancestry.com: Birmingham, England, All Saints Hospital Records 1845-1931; Workhouse Casebook of Thomas Green (Male and Female Patients, 1845-1850) While the threat of the workhouse constantly loomed over the poor, it was also, for many, the only place where medical help might be sought. After William Wheelock completed his sentence in Warwick Gaol in 1849 for assaulting James Williams for the third time, he was admitted to the lunatic branch of the workhouse infirmary. The admission date was 24th August 1849, and he was seen by the visiting surgeon, Thomas Green. The casebook records that William was 32, married, had no religious persuasion, and was a gun furniture filer. He was admitted with ‘acute dementia’ due to ‘intemperance’. His disease lasted 3 months, and he was deemed ‘cured’ and discharged on 24th September. Throughout his long absence in prison and then the workhouse, it should be remembered that Hannah Genders had William’s infant son to care and provide for. He wo...