The Last Days of Ann Walker

By Diane Halford and Leitner Daleen (updated 21st February 2023)

Ann Walker died on 25th February 1854 in her childhood home, Cliffe Hill. It is often said that not much is known about Ann Walker’s life before or after Anne Lister. But once more, if we dig more deeply into the archive, we can piece together some information about the last days of Ann Walker. 

Trigger Warning: illness, death

After living at Shibden Hall with Captain Sutherland and his family and then, after his death, with long term friend Lydia Fenton, (nèe Wilkinson) Ann had moved back to her childhood home, Cliffe Hill, after her aunt died. It is mentioned in accounts in January 1848, a servant for Cliffe Hill was paid for moving Ann in (WYAS, Calderdale, CN:100/2). In April 1848 a letter from Lydia Fenton to William Gray talks of handing the keys to Shibden back to him as trustee (WYAS, Calderdale, FW:120/52). In the 1851 Census it mentions that she lived at Cliffe Hill with Lydia as her housekeeper and 6 servants. We don’t currently know much about Ann’s living situation between 1851 and her death in 1854.

Writing to an acquaintance on 18th February 1854, Robert Parker, Ann Walker’s local solicitor, mentions that she had suffered a severe fit that day, which would probably prove fatal.

18th February 1854 – Robert Parker to Mr Wilson:

However, five days later, Ann is still alive, but is now having fits in rapid succession. Parker writes again, this time to Dr John Lister, who is Anne Lister’s heir to Shibden

23 February 1854 – Robert Parker To Dr John Lister:

According to her death certificate, Ann passed away on 25th February 1854 at Cliffe Hill. Her death was registered at Brighouse on 1st March 1854 by John Kelly who made his mark of an “X” – he is mentioned in the 1851 Census as her coachman. The cause of death was certified as “Congestion of the Brain, Effusion”

Based on the above anecdotal and medical evidence, we worked with Leitner Daleen (who has read many medical books from the day) to try to figure out what terms we would use today for Ann’s cause of death. Our working hypothesis is that Ann most likely died of an Internal Cerebral Haemorrhage (Stroke). More information may come to light in the future.

On 3rd March 1854, Ann was buried at St Matthew’s Church in Lightcliffe, where she had worshipped for many years. The service was conducted by Rev Charles Musgrave who was the Vicar of Halifax, one of the country’s largest parishes at that time. He wrote to a distant member of the Walker family on the day of her funeral, and stated that Ann was buried in the vault with her Aunt Mary (and most likely Aunt Ann too).

3rd March 1854 –  Charles Musgrave to Abraham Horsfall:

There is some consolation in the last days of Ann Walker to be gained from the first letter where, although anecdotal, Parker asserts that Ann was “restored to reason”.

For further details on Ann Walker’s memorial and it’s restoration, see here: Ann Walker’s memorial update

And for further details on the final resting place of Ann Walker see this article here by the Friends of St Matthew’s Church:

Acknowledgements:

Edited by Louise Godley