Martha LOUND

Martha Lound - 'She did what she could'

Martha Lound was born in Firbeck, Yorkshire in 1871.  She was the daughter of William and Sarah Lound (nee Winfrow).

Matilda was baptised at St Martin’s Church, Firbeck, on 16th July 1871.  Her baptism was carried out by the Rector, Thomas Poole - probably the father of William Booth’s wife, Lucy.

At the time of the 1881 Census, Martha was living with her family at Park Hill, Firbeck.  Martha’s father was working as a shepherd at this time.  Sadly, her older sister, Mara (Mary?), is recorded on the census form as being an ‘Imbecile’.  It seems that Mary may have died in 1889, at the age of 25 years.

Martha started working for the Booth family around 1887.  

Martha Lound died on 7th February 1910.  By this time she had been working for the Booths for 23 years.

The inscription on her gravestone, “She did what she could” is a Bible verse from Mark 14:8. It appears in the story of Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus with expensive perfume before his death.  This verse may have been chosen to represent Martha’s selfless service for the Booth family for 23 years.  Evidence of how fond the family were of Martha may be seen in the fact that when Rev. William Booth died three years later Lucy chose to erect an identical memorial for him, alongside that of Martha.

By the time of the 1911 Census, Martha’s sister, Matilda, was working at Hook Hall, replacing her late, older sibling.  She was one of two Domestic Servants working for William Booth and his wife, Lucy.   When William and Lucy left Hook and moved to Filey, Matilda moved with them.  She remained with Lucy after the death of William and lived with her and a member of Lucy’s Poole family at 9 Brooklands, Filey.

At the time of the 1939 Register, Matilda was living at 125 High Street, Hook, with widow, Elizabeth Robinson.

Matilda died on 25th January 1963.  She was aged 85 years.  She was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Hook, on 29th January 1963.  Her gravestone hasn't been found - possibly she was buried with her sister, Martha?