Women in BSC Information
GPS Accuracy (Feet): 3
This is one of the rare occasions when the profession of a woman is recorded on a grave stone. Mary Jane Ambler was a Teacher then Matron in the Ragged School. Mary Jane died of Aortic Disease. (See information below re Ragged Schools).
In this grave lies ROBERT WILSON AMBLER and MARY JANE AMBLER (nee Hawkins) parents of:- MARY JANE AMBLER, WILLIAM HAWKINS AMBLER buried herewith. Also (MARY) JANE HAWKINS who is the mother of MARY JANE AMBLER.
They also had other children:-
George Arthur Ambler (1862-1945) sometimes known as George Arthur Hawking-Ambler. George married Elseaina Senior on 17 June 1885 at All Hallows, Kirkburton, Yorkshire. He was a Physician she was a Teacher. George died in 1945 in San Francisco, USA. Elseaina died 1936 in Harpenden, England. They had a daughter Phyllis H. Ambler born 1890 in Kirkburton. In 1891 they are living at Riley, Kirkburton, Yorkshire, he is a Surgeon and Retired General Medical Practitioner.
And Clara Ramsden Ambler (1856-1941). Clara married William Abbott, wire worker.
Their mother Mary Jane Ambler (nee Hawkins) had been married previously to Isaac Smith, Coal Merchant, they had a daughter Elizabeth Grace Smith, born 1840 Scarborough, she died 1895 Leeds. After Robert Wilson Ambler married Mary Jane Smith, Elizabeth Grace Smith is recorded with a surname of Ambler or Smith.
In 1851 the family were living in Hunslet, Leeds. Robert Wilson Ambler was a Flax Overlooker, his wife Mary Jane was a dressmaker, born Scarborough.
Living with them was Mary Jane's daughter Elizabeth Grace, age 10, a scholar born Scarborough and Mary Jane Ambler age 4, Holbeck.
In 1861 the family was living at 28 Ellerby Road, Leeds. Robert Wilson Ambler was 38 years old, a School Master & Methodist Lay Preacher, born Leeds and her mother Mary Jane Ambler, was 41, Matron of Ragged School, born Scarborough.
By this date they had living with them Elizabeth Grace, 21 years, School Mistress, Mary Jane, Teacher, age 14, William Hawkins Ambler was 7 years old and Clara Ramsden Ambler was 4 years old.
In 1871 they were living at 58 Windsor Street, Leeds, Robert was still a School Master, with his wife Mary Jane, Elizabeth Grace Smith is recorded as a Teacher, William Hawkins Ambler is a boot maker, Clara and George are scholars. Also living with them is Jane Hawkins, Grandmother, 87 years and James Wilson, nephew and Emma Barr, sister.
By 1881 Robert was a Mask (sic) Paper Dealer living with his wife Mary Jane, daughters Clara and Elizabeth Grace were Confectioners, all living at 87 Accommodation Road, Leeds.
In 1891 Elizabeth Grace Smith was a 50-year old Spinster living at 24 Lovell Street, Leeds. She died there on 14 June 1895 and is buried in grave 14696 the plot next to her family. Also in that grave is her half-sister Clara Ramsden Abbott (died 1941 age 84 years) and her husband William Abbott (died 1932, 79 years, a wire worker).
Ragged schools were charitable organisations dedicated to the free education of destitute children in 19th century Britain. The schools were developed in working-class districts. The curriculum expanded into industrial and commercial subjects in many schools. The Leeds Ragged School Association was founded in 1849.
1866 - Mr Ambler and his daughter have taken over until a replacement could be found for the schoolmaster Mr Colbeck who had just died from Typhus fever. Miss Crompton has charge of the instruction of the girls (i.e., the day scholars, the girls under detention being boarded out, and having been sent to Harrogate for their health at the time of my visit, 23rd August 1866).
1867 - Mr & Mrs Ambler have the general superintendence, assisted by their daughters. Mr Milnes instructs the boys, Miss Crampton the girls, in the general school. Miss Lund and Miss Ardale have the care of the girls under detention.
1868 - Mr Ambler and his wife and daughters have the general superintendence and management but reside out of the institution. The schoolmaster Mr Milnes and the schoolmistress Miss Crampton, attend only for the purpose of instruction for the morning and afternoon. The separate school for the girls under detention are under the care of a mistress Miss Lund.
1869 - Mr Ambler has the general superintendence of the schools; he also gives his attention to the shoe-black brigade, employing 10 to 20 boys. Teacher Miss Crampton; master Mr Milnes; schoolmistress Miss Martin.
Ragged schools were charitable organisations dedicated to the free education of destitute children in 19th century Britain. The schools were developed in working-class districts. Ragged schools were intended for society's most destitute children. Such children, it was argued, were often excluded from Sunday School education because of their unkempt appearance and often challenging behaviour. The London Ragged Schools Union was established in April 1844 to combine resources in the city, providing free education, food, clothing, lodging and other home missionary services for poor children. Although the London Ragged School Union did not extend beyond the metropolis, its publications and pamphlets helped spread ragged school ideals across the country. They were phased out by the final decades of the 19th century.
Working in the poorest districts, teachers (who were often local working people) initially utilized stables, lofts, and railway arches for their classes. The majority of teachers were voluntary, although a small number were employed. There was an emphasis on reading, writing, arithmetic, and study of the Bible. The curriculum expanded into industrial and commercial subjects in many schools. It is estimated that about 300,000 children went through the London ragged schools alone between 1844 and 1881.