Grace Chappelow

Gladys Evans

Grace Chappelow, the daughter of John Chappelow (1854-1940) and Emily Chappelow (1858-1941), was born in Islington, London, on 3rd February 1884. A brother, Claude Chappelow, was born in 1880. Grace's father was a chartered accountant based in Lincoln's Inn. (1)

It is claimed that her father came from " Huguenot stock" and was related to the Rev. Joseph Rayner Stephens, who established an independent chapel in Ashton-under-Lyne. Stephens worked closely with Richard Oastler and John Fielden in the campaign for factory reform. (2) He was also a Chartist who was involved in the campaign for universal suffrage. (3)

Grace's parents held progressive views and she was sent to North London Collegiate School for Girls, founded by Frances Buss, and along with Emily Davies, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Barbara Bodichon, Helen Taylor and Dorothea Beale formed a woman's discussion group called the Kensington Society, that campaigned for women's suffrage. (4)

Grace Chappelow was a talented singer and took part in school musical events. The Islington Gazette reported: "Meyerbeer's Schiller March was nicely rendered by Misses C. Garside, E. M. Jones, G. Chappelow and G. Jones… Others to win general applause were Miss Georgina C. Forgan for her song Love's Coronation and Miss Grace Chappelow for her tasteful interpretation of Sullivan's My Dearest Heart." (5) One newspaper described her as "a vocalist of much promise". (6) After leaving school she sung with distinction at the Upper Holloway Baptist Chapel. (7)

By 1901 John Chappelow had left the family home and was living with Laura Bower Johnson (born 1865, Hackney) at 6 Highbury Terrace, Islington. Whereas, Grace, aged 17, was living with her mother and brother at 2 Tollington Place, Islington. (8) In around November 1903 Grace and her mother moved to Nounsley, a hamlet in the civil parish of Hatfield Peverel in Essex. (9)

Women's Social and Political Union

Both of Grace's parents supported women's suffrage. In 1909 John Chappelow donated money to the Women's Freedom League. (10) Around about this time Grace Chappelow joined the Women's Social & Political Union. On 29th June, 1909 she took part in a attempt to enter the House of Commons to confront Prime Minister H. H. Asquith. The first person to be arrested was Emmeline Pankhurst "who was apprehended after twice slapping a police-officer in the face and knocking off his helmet." Over a 100 members of the WSPU were arrested. This included Grace Chappelow, Mary Allen, Grace Roe, Lucy Burns, Winifred Mayo, Kitty Marion, Sarah Carwin, Ada Wright, Mabel Capper, Nellie Crocker, Leonora Tyson, Edith Downing, Theresa Garnett and Alice Paul. (11)

Grace Chappelow pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given that Grace had refused to move when requested to do so. To which she responded: "I only did what I considered to be my duty". The magistrate commented that "It is our duty to support the police in keeping order". Chappelow was ordered to be bound over to keep the peace in the sum of £5 or if she failed to pay, five days imprisonment. When asked if she agreed to be bound over, She replied: "Certainly not". (12)

From left to right the women are Theresa Garnett, Nelly Crocker, Gladys Roberts and Edith New (1909)
From left to right the women are Theresa Garnett, Nellie Crocker,
Gladys Roberts and Edith New (1909)

On 4th September 1909 she took part in a demonstration against Winston Churchill when he visited Leicester to make a speech. "A number of suffragettes and a crowd of over 500 people making a determined effort to force an entrance to the meeting. Great precautions had been taken to prevent suffragettes or there supporters gaining admittance, and there were 300 stewards to prevent any interruptions in the building itself. Outside there was a large force of police, and six females and one man were arrested." (13)

Grace Chappelow, Helen Kirkpatrick Watts and Nellie Crocker were all charged with obstruction. At the police court Crocker said "that since the Government unjustly kept women out of meetings where questions like the Budget were discussed, affecting taxes paid by women, she felt it right to demand admission to such meetings." (14)

All the defendants were bound over to keep the peace, with the alternative of five days' imprisonment. The women went to goal. Alfred Hawkins was bound over. They all declined to be bound over and accepted the alternative of five days imprisonment in the second division. According to one report they "refused food and drink during their incarceration, and would not comply with the prison regulations." (15)

Black Friday

In January 1910, H. H. Asquith called a general election in order to obtain a new mandate. However, the Liberals lost votes and was forced to rely on the support of the 42 Labour Party MPs to govern. Henry Brailsford, a member of the Men's League For Women's Suffrage wrote to Millicent Fawcett, the leader of the National Union of Woman's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), suggesting that he should attempt to establish a Conciliation Committee for Women's Suffrage. "My idea is that it should undertake the necessary diplomatic work of promoting an early settlement". (16)

Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) agreed to the idea and they declared a truce in which all militant activities would cease until the fate of the Conciliation Bill was clear. A Conciliation Committee, composed of 36 MPs (25 Liberals, 17 Conservatives, 6 Labour and 6 Irish Nationalists) all in favour of some sort of women's enfranchisement, was formed and drafted a Bill which would have enfranchised only a million women but which would, they hoped, gain the support of all but the most dedicated anti-suffragists. (17) Fawcett wrote that "personally many suffragists would prefer a less restricted measure, but the immense importance and gain to our movement is getting the most effective of all the existing franchises thrown upon to woman cannot be exaggerated." (18)

The Conciliation Bill was designed to conciliate the suffragist movement by giving a limited number of women the vote, according to their property holdings and marital status. After a two-day debate in July 1910, the Conciliation Bill was carried by 109 votes and it was agreed to send it away to be amended by a House of Commons committee. However, when Keir Hardie, the leader of the Labour Party, requested two hours to discuss the Conciliation Bill, H. H. Asquith made it clear that he intended to shelve it. (19)

Emmeline Pankhurst was furious at what she saw as Asquith's betrayal and on 18th November, 1910, arranged to lead 300 women from a pre-arranged meeting at the Caxton Hall to the House of Commons. Pankhurst and a small group of WSPU members, were allowed into the building but Asquith refused to see them. Women, in "detachments of twelve" marched forward but were attacked by the police. This became known as Black Friday. (20)

The WSPU newspaper, Votes for Women, reported that 159 women and three men were arrested during this demonstration. (21) This included Grace Chappelow, Ada Wright, Catherine Marshall, Eveline Haverfield, Anne Cobden Sanderson, Mary Leigh, Vera Holme, Louisa Garrett Anderson, Kitty Marion, Gladys Evans, Cecilia Wolseley Haig, Maud Arncliffe Sennett, Clara Giveen, Eileen Casey, Patricia Woodcock, Vera Wentworth, Winifred Mayo, Mary Clarke, Florence Canning, Henria Williams, Lilian Dove-Wilcox, Minnie Turner, Bertha Brewster, Charlotte Haig, Lucy Burns and Grace Roe. (22)

The charges against Grace Chappelow were dropped. On 24th November 1910 she appeared in court charged with breaking a window. She pleaded guilty explaining that during Black Friday she had been "very much knocked about by the police" and to protest against her treatment she had broken a window. She was fined forty shillings or fourteen days in prison. (23) Once again she selected imprisonment but she did not go on hunger-strike. (24)

On leaving prison Grace Chappelow commented on her Huguenot and Chartist ancestry, "suffragettes were compelled by an unknown force to carry out anything and everything, even the dreadful ordeal of speaking at breakfasts. She was ready for anything that might come." (25)

Henry Brailsford was commissioned to write a report Treatment of the Women's Deputations of November 18th, 22nd and 23rd, 1910, by the Police (1910) on Black Friday. He took testimony from a large number of women, including Grace Chappelow. She recounted that she was "thumped and gripped by the throat". A policeman grabbed her by the back of her collar, forcing her head towards the pavement; a position she was forced to proceed in down the street. While still bent, she received a "terrific blow" to the left of her chest which "nearly made her unconscious". (26)

Chelmsford Branch of the WSPU

Grace Chappelow, like other members of the Women's Social & Political Union refused to participate in the 1911 Census. While her mother and brother is recorded, Grace has written across the form "No vote No census". (27) It was claimed that Grace Chappelow was "the most devoted worker in the WSPU, and especially successful with street sales of Votes for Women, to which she devotes all her spare time." (28)

Grace Chappelow selling Votes for Women (c. 1912) ©Chelmsford Museum
Grace Chappelow selling Votes for Women (c. 1912) ©Chelmsford Museum

In 1912 Grace Chappelow agreed to become WSPU organiser in Chelmsford. On 14th February, Olive Bartels and Maud Joachim, travelled from London to join her at a public meeting at the Shire Hall. "Miss Olive Bartels, who has come up from London to organise the campaign, seen by a representative of the Essex Country Chronicle assures him that Chelmsford's shop windows are in no danger! The campaign is to be a peaceful one, the object being to explain why these ladies think it necessary sometimes to take an extreme course and are not content always to pursue the peaceful methods of the other suffrage societies."

The Chelmsford Chronicle reported: "Miss Chappelow spoke of the growth of the suffrage movement, and stated that the militant methods were more on the side of the government than on the part of the women. It was pitiable to see the number of people said it did not matter about the votes. There were many social and industrial plagues that women were suffering from, and Suffragists realised that there was a cure for these aliments, and the cure was the vote." (29) In March 1912, Grace Chappelow made a speech in Chelmsford of the subject of the growth of the suffrage movement. (30)

Women's Tax Resistance League

In 1909 the Women's Freedom League (WFL) established the Women's Tax Resistance League (WTRL). (31) The first member to take part in the campaign was Dr. Octavia Lewin. It was reported in The Daily Chronicle that the "First Passive' Resister", was was to be taken to court. It was announced in the same report that "the Women's Freedom League intends to organise a big passive resistance movement as a weapon in the fight for the franchise." (32)

The motto adopted by the Women's Tax Resistance League was "No Vote No Tax". According to Elizabeth Crawford, the author of The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928 (2000): "When bailiffs seized goods belonging to women in lieu of tax, the TRL made the ensuing sale the occasion for a public or open-air meeting in order to spread the principles of women's suffrage and to rouse public opinion to the injustice of non-representation meted out on tax-paying women." (33)

Sylvia Pankhurst, the author of The History of the Women's Suffrage Movement (1931): has argued: "Tax resistance and resistance to enumeration under the Census of that year were mild forms of militancy now in vogue. The Women's Freedom League had hoisted the standard of 'no vote, no tax' in the early days of its formation, and Mrs. Despard and others had suffered a succession of distraints, to the accompaniment of auction sale protest meetings. In November, 1910, the WSPU first adopted the same policy, and the Women's Tax Resistance was formed about this time. In May, 1911, two women were imprisoned for refusal to take out dog licences. A little later, Clemence Housman, sister of the author-artist, Laurence Housman, was committed to Holloway till she should pay the trifling sum of 4s. 6d., but was released in a week's time, having paid nothing." (34)

It was the Women's Tax Resistance League policy of "no taxation without representation" meant that women often went to prison for keeping a dog without a licence. Grace Chappelow, who joined the campaign, refused to buy a dog licence. Her dog was also accused of being violent. She told the The Daily Herald: "If I do not make a decided stand now, next I shall be summoned for keeping a ferocious hen, or a dangerous cat, or anything else. The case is purely victimisation and since my mother and I become Suffragists we have had no peace." (35) A commitment order for fourteen days' was issued by the Witham Bench in default of paying 14s. costs. Outside her house was exhibited a large poster. "I am going to prison." (36)

It was reported: "Yesterday morning P.s. Brand and P.c. Attridge drove over to Miss Chappelow's house in the police cart. The commitment warrant was produced, and the young lady, without offering the slightest resistance, was arrested. She was placed in the cart between the two police officers and was driven to Witham Police Station, where the necessary formalities were gone through, and then P.s. Brand with a female attendant, escorted Miss Grace Chappelow to Ipswich Prison." (37)

Women's Freedom League

During this period Grace Chappelow became active in the Women's Freedom League (WFL). Violet Tillard Assistant Organising Secretary of the WFL helped establish branches of the League on a caravan tour of the south-east counties of England. This included visiting Essex with meetings addressed by Alice Schofield and Henria Williams. (38) Grace Chappelow took part in these local caravan tours. (39)

Women's Freedom League's touring publicity caravan.
Charlotte Despard and Alison Neilans inside the caravan.
Irene Tillard and Violet Tillard standing in front of the caravan.

However, it would seem that Grace Chappelow never joined the Women's Freedom League. Like the Women's Social & Political Union, the WFL was a militant organisation that was willing the break the law. As a result, over 100 of their members were sent to prison after being arrested on demonstrations or refusing to pay taxes. However, members of the WFL was a completely non-violent organisation and opposed the WSPU campaign of vandalism against private and commercial property. (40)

Grace was willing to attack private property. On 5th March 1912 she joined with Fanny Pease, Dorothea Rock and Madelaine Rock, to smash windows at the Mansion House. When they appeared in court the magistrate said "I see no reason for treating you in any other way than as ordinary criminals. You are either criminals or lunatics. You will have two months with hard labour." (41) On her release she smuggled out a bowl out of prison and later had it engraved: "Down with Asquith Nov 1918, Give Women Votes. Be Free." (42)

First World War

The British government declared war on Germany on 4th August 1914. Two days later, Millicent Fawcett, the leader of the NUWSS declared that the organization was suspending all political activity until the conflict was over. Fawcett supported the war effort but she refused to become involved in persuading young men to join the armed forces. This WSPU took a different view to the war. It was a spent force with very few active members. According to Martin Pugh, the WSPU were aware "that their campaign had been no more successful in winning the vote than that of the non-militants whom they so freely derided". (43)

The WSPU carried out secret negotiations with the government and on the 10th August the government announced it was releasing all suffragettes from prison. In return, the WSPU agreed to end their militant activities and help the war effort. Christabel Pankhurst, arrived back in England after living in exile in Paris. She told the press: "I feel that my duty lies in England now, and I have come back. The British citizenship for which we suffragettes have been fighting is now in jeopardy." (44)

After receiving a £2,000 grant from the government, the WSPU organised a demonstration in London. Members carried banners with slogans such as "We Demand the Right to Serve", "For Men Must Fight and Women Must Work" and "Let None Be Kaiser's Cat's Paws". At the meeting, attended by 30,000 people, Emmeline Pankhurst called on trade unions to let women work in those industries traditionally dominated by men. She told the audience: "What would be the good of a vote without a country to vote in!". (45)

It would seem that Grace Chappelow did not share the WSPU's attitude to the First World War and joined the anti-war organisation, East London Federation of Suffragettes (ELFS). Founded by Sylvia Pankhurst, Keir Hardie, Norah Smyth, Julia Scurr, Mary Phillips, Millie Lansbury, Eveline Haverfield, Lilian Dove-Wilcox, Florence Haig, Maud Joachim, Nellie Cressall and George Lansbury it was an organisation that combined socialism with a demand for women's suffrage, it worked closely with the Independent Labour Party. (46)

The ELFS also began production of a weekly paper for working-class women called The Women's Dreadnought. Norah Smyth, supplied most of the money for this venture. It first appeared in March 1914. Although they printed 20,000 copies, by the third issue total sales were only listed as just over 100 copies. During processions and demonstrations, the newspaper was freely distributed as propaganda for the ELFS and the wider movement for women's suffrage. (47) Grace's paternal cousin, Eric, a conscientious objector, had his poems published in the newspaper. (48)

Later Life

In 1917 Grace's house in Nounsley was sold at auction. By 1921 they were living at Elm House, Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch. The Census recorded that Emily was 61 years 3 months and Grace was 37 years 4 months. Both the women claimed they did not have an "occupation". (49)

Later they moved to the village of Ramsden Heath where they purchased Bishop's Farm. Sara Paulley has pointed out "that locally Grace became known as the Goat Lady as she cycled around the countryside selling goat's milk. She eschewed modern innovations such as a television or telephone. Grace became involved with the local Women's Institute... By Christmas 1924 Grace was a committee member for the Bentley branch, sometimes providing a song or two as part of the entertainment." She also had thirteen cats and was a vegetarian. (50)

1939 National Register records that they were still living at Bishop’s Farm and was recorded as carrying out "Domestic Duties Farm Work". Her brother, Claude Chappelow aged 59, was also living on the farm and was working as a “Commercial Bookkeeper”. (51)

Grace's father, John Stephen Chappelow died on 5th March 1940 at 28 Highbury Grove, Islington. He left effects of £593. 10s. Id. to Laura Bower Johnson. Grace's mother, Emily Chappelow, died on 20th March 1941. She left effects valued at £349. 15s. 6d. (52)

Grace Chappelow of Kaycot, Ingatestone, Essex, died aged 87, died on 4th February 1971. She left effects valued at £7,810.

Primary Sources

 

(1) The Islington Gazette (10th November 1902)

On Friday, an evening concert attended by a numerous company was given in the hall of the North London Collegiate (Frances Mary Buss) School, Camden Road. The programme, although lengthy, was a well-arranged one, and brought into pleasing prominence the musical talent of the young lady pupils…

Meyerbeer's "Schiller March" was nicely rendered by Misses C. Garside, E. M. Jones, G. Chappelow and G. Jones… Others to win general applause were Miss Georgina C. Forgan for her song Love's Coronation and Miss Grace Chappelow for her tasteful interpretation of Sullivan's My Dearest Heart.

(2) The Islington Gazette (2nd November 1903)

A concert by the lady pupils of North London Collegiate School (Francis Mary Buss), Camden Road, attracted a large company on Friday evening…. Miss Grace Chappelow, a vocalist of much promise, gave in her best style the lines, "My mother bids me bind my hair" (Haydn), and the pretty Irish air, "Lullaby".

(3) The Daily Mirror (30th June, 1909)

In accordance with their announced attention a deputation of the suffragettes last night attempted to enter the House of Commons to wait upon the Prime Minister.

The usual scenes occurred in Parliament Square where an enormous crowd had gathered, and over 100 women and a few men were arrested.

Among the women taken into custody was Mrs. Pankhurst, leader of the Women's Suffrage movement, who was apprehended after twice slapping a police-officer in the face and knocking off his helmet…

The following is an official list of the names of the persons arrested… Nellie Crocker… Grace Roe… Lucy Burns, Winifred Mayo, Kitty Marion… Sarah Carwin, Grace Chappelow… Ada Wright, Mary Allen, Mabel Capper, Leonora Tyson… Edith Downing, Theresa Garnett, Alice Paul… Adrian Corbett.

(4) Northern Daily Telegraph (6th September 1909)

The visit of Mr Winston Churchill to Leicester on Saturday was attended by scenes of disorder, a number of suffragettes and a crowd of over 500 people making a determined effort to force an entrance to the meeting. Great precautions had been taken to prevent suffragettes or there supporters gaining admittance, and there were 300 stewards to prevent any interruptions in the building itself. Outside there was a large force of police, and six females and one man were arrested.

Late in the evening at a special court they were charged with disorderly conduct. The man, Alfred Hawkins, shoe hand, 18, Mantle Road, Leicester, who was ejected from the meeting, consented to be bound over. The six females - Violet Jones, Nellie Crocker, and Grace Chappelow, 4, Clements Inn, London; Helen Watts, Lenton Vicarage, Notts; Mary Rawson, 5, Carlton Street, Nottingham; and Alice Hawkins, 18 Mantle Road, Leicester – all declined to be bound over, and accepted the alternative of five days imprisonment in the second division.

(5) The Daily News (9th September 1909)

The six Suffragettes, Violet Jones, Grace Chappelow and Nellie Crocker (Clement's Inn, London), Helen Watts and Mary Rawson (Nottingham), and Alice Hawkins (Leicester), who were arrested and imprisoned at Leicester on Saturday for creating a disturbance outside Mr. Churchill's meetings, were released yesterday. They refused food and drink during their incarceration, and would not comply with the prison regulations.

(6) The Grimsby & County Times (10th September 1909)

Whilst the Budget demonstration at Leicester on Saturday was being addressed by Mr. Winston Churchill, a strong band of Suffragists sought to force an entrance to the Palace Theatre from the front and back entrances. The police were present in force and the raid completely failed; seven arrests being made.

Subsequently, at the police-court, Violet Jones, Nellie Crocker, and Grace Chappelow, giving an address at Clement's Inn, Strand; Helen Watts of Lenton Vicarage, Nottingham; Mary Lawson of Carlton Street, Nottingham; Alice Hawkins of Leicester; and Alfred Hawkins, her husband, were charged with committing a breach of the peace and disorderly conduct outside the theatre…

Mrs Crocker said that since the Government unjustly kept women out of meetings where questions like the Budget were discussed, affecting taxes paid by women, she felt it right to demand admission to such meetings.

All the defendants were bound over to keep the peace, with the alternative of five days' imprisonment. The women went to goal. Alfred Hawkins was bound over.

(7) Votes for Women (25th November 1910)

Miss Grace Chappelow comes of a Huguenot stock on the father's side, and is related to the Rev. Joseph Stephens, the co-worker with Oastler, the great Chartist leader. She is the most devoted worker in the WSPU, and especially successful with street sales of Votes for Women, to which she devotes all her spare time. She took part in the deputation of June last year, and has also served a sentence of five days at Leicester.

(8) The Chelmsford Chronicle (16th February 1912)

The Women's Social and Political Union are organising a campaign at Chelmsford on the behalf of women's suffrage, so Chelmsford may expect a rousing with regard to the question of votes for women…

Miss Olive Bartels, who has come up from London to organise the campaign, seen by a representative of the Essex Country Chronicle assures him that Chelmsford's shop windows are in no danger! The campaign is to be a peaceful one, the object being to explain why these ladies think it necessary sometimes to take an extreme course and are not content always to pursue the peaceful methods of the other suffrage societies.

The first meeting was held in the Grand Jury Room at the Shire Hall, Chelmsford on Wednesday afternoon (14th February 1912). Miss Grace Chappelow presided, and was supported by Miss Joachim and Miss Bartels.

Miss Chappelow spoke of the growth of the suffrage movement, and stated that the militant methods were more on the side of the government than on the part of the women. It was pitiable to see the number of people who said it did not matter about the votes. There were many social and industrial plagues that women were suffering from, and Suffragists realised that there was a cure for these aliments, and the cure was the vote.

(9) The Morning Leader (6th March 1912)

Hard labour was passed at the Mansion House Police Court by Alderman Sir G. Woodman on four women who smashed windows at the Mansion House the previous night.

The defendants were Dorothea Rock, 30, and Madelaine Rock, 27, of the Red House, Ingatestone: Grace Chappelow of Hadfield Peverel, Essex; and Fanny Pease, 33, hospital nurse.

The Magistrate: I see no reason for treating you in any other way than as ordinary criminals. You are either criminals or lunatics. You will have two months with hard labour.

(10) The Daily Herald (9th November 1912)

If I do not make a decided stand now, next I shall be summoned for keeping a ferocious hen, or a dangerous cat, or anything else. The case is purely victimisation and since my mother and I become Suffragists we have had no peace. I maintain that the case was not proved, and hence my refusal to pay plaintiff's costs, which, by the way, one for two days, although on the first day the case was dismissed.

"I shall be very glad if you will state my case, not merely for my private benefit but for the liberty of the subject, of which modern Englishmen prate so much and know so little."

We understand that since she cannot stay away from home for an indefinite period, Miss Chappelow has decided to return to Hatfield Peveral and "face the music," come what may.

(11) Chelmsford Chronicle (15th November 1912)

Up to Thursday Miss Grace Chappelow, of Hatfield Peverel, against whom a commitment order for fourteen days' has been issued by the Witham Bench in default of paying 14s. costs in a dog case heard by the Bench, had not been arrested. Outside her house is exhibited a large bill. "I am going to prison." The police have reasoned with the young lady, and tried to persuade her to pay the amount, and so avoid being taken, but she refuses, and has declared her intention to the police to be taken to prison. Unless the money is paid she will probably be removed to Ipswich prison shortly.

(12) Chelmsford Chronicle (22nd November 1912)

On Monday morning Miss Grace Chappelow, of Nounsley, Hatfield Peverel, was arrested by the Witham Police, and was subsequently removed to Ipswich Prison to undergo fourteen days' incarceration in default of paying 14s, as ordered by the Witham Bench, in a case where her dog was concerned. Miss Chappelow, who is a noted suffragette, had gained additional notoriety by her declaration to a daily newspaper that she would not pay, but would go to prison. Yesterday morning P.s. Brand and P.c. Attridge drove over to Miss Chappelow's house in the police cart. The commitment warrant was produced, and the young lady, without offering the slightest resistance, was arrested. She was placed in the cart between the two police officers and was driven to Witham Police Station, where the necessary formalities were gone through, and then P.s. Brand with a female attendant, escorted Miss Grace Chappelow to Ipswich Prison.  

(13) David Simkin, Family History Research (1st July, 2023)

Grace Chappelow (1884-1971) Grace Chappelow was born in Islington, London, on 3rd February 1884, the second of two children born to Emily Mary Elizabeth West (born 1858, Islington – died 1941, Ramsden Heath, Essex) and John Stephens Chappelow (1854-1940), a chartered accountant.

Emily Mary Elizabeth West and John Stephens Chappelow married in 1878. This union produced two children – Claude Victor Chappelow (born 1880 - died 1949) and Grace Chappelow (born 3rd February 1884 – died 4th February 1971). Neither Claude nor Grace married.

1881 Census: Grange Lodge, Hornsey Road, Islington, London
John S. Chappleow age 26 (Head) “Public Accountant” (born St Pancras, London)
Emily M. E. Chappleow age 23 (Wife) (born Islington, London)
Claud Victor Chappleow age 1 (Son) (born Islington, London)
Ellen Margaret Pardue age 16 (Servant)

1891 Census: 52 May Crescent, Islington, London
John Stephen Chappelow age 36 (Head) “Chartered Accountant” (Employer)
Emily Mary Elizabeth Chappelow age 33 (Wife)
Grace Chappelow age 7 (Daughter)
Lizzie Potter age 22 (Servant)

It appears that sometime in the 1890s John Stephens Chappelow deserted his wife and two children and went to live with Laura Bower Johnson (born 1865, Hackney, London).

1901 Census: 6 Highbury Terrace, Islington, London
John S Chappelow age 46 (Head) “Chartered Accountant” (Employer)
Laura B Johnson age 35 “Housekeeper”
Plus two servants

1901 Census: 2 Tollington Place, Islington, London
Emily Chappelow age 42 (Head)
Claude Chappelow age 21 (Son)
Grace Chappelow age 17 (Daughter)

1911 Census: Marlcliff House, Ethel Road, Broadstairs, St Peters, Isle of Thanet, Kent.
John Stephens Chappelow age 56 (Head)
Laura Bower Johnson age 45 (Visitor)
Plus two servants

1921 Census: Elm House, Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch, South Weald, Essex (near Brentwood & Billericay, Essex).
Emily Mary Elizabeth Chappelow (Married) 61 years 3 months. Personal Occupation “none”.
Grace Chappelow (Single) 37 years 4 months Personal. Occupation “none”.

1939 National Register
Bishop’s Farm, Ramsden Heath, near Chelmsford, Essex
Emily M E Chappelow (Head) age 81
Claude V Chappelow (Son) age 59 “Commercial Bookkeeper”
Grace Chappelow (Daughter) age 55 “Domestic Duties Farm Work”

1939 Register Address: 28 Highbury Grove, Islington
John S Chappelow Marital Status Married
Birth Date 7 June 1854
Occupation: “Chartered Accountant”
Laura Bower Johnson “Housekeeper”

John Stephen Chappelow of 10 Lincolns Inn Fields, died on 5th March 1940 at 28 Highbury Grove, Islington, London N19. Effects £593. 10s. Id. To Laura Bower Johnson, spinster (born 6th April 1865). Housekeeper.

Emily Mary Elizabeth Chappelow of Bishop’s Farm, Ramsden Heath, Billericay, Essex, widow, died 20th March 1941. Effects valued at £349. 15s. 6d.

Grace Chappelow of Kaycot, Furze La Stocke, Ingatestone, Essex, died on 4th February 1971.
Effects valued at £7,810. Died the day after her 87th birthday.

Student Activities

The Middle Ages

The Normans

The Tudors

The English Civil War

Industrial Revolution

First World War

Russian Revolution

Nazi Germany

United States: 1920-1945

References

(1) David Simkin, Family History Research (1st July, 2023)

(2) Votes for Women (25th November 1910)

(3) R. G. Gammage, History of the Chartist Movement (1894) page

(4) Melanie Phillips, The Ascent of Women (2003) page 96

(5) The Islington Gazette (10th November 1902)

(6) The Islington Gazette (2nd November 1903)

(7) The Holloway Press (5th May 1905)

(8) Census Data (1901)

(9) Sara Paulley, Grace Chappelow (24th July, 2020)

(10) Women's Franchise (27th May 1909)

(11) The Daily Mirror (30th June, 1909)

(12) Sara Paulley, Grace Chappelow (24th July, 2020)

(13) Northern Daily Telegraph (6th September 1909)

(14) The Grimsby & County Times (10th September 1909)

(15) The Daily News (9th September 1909)

(16) Henry Brailsford, letter to Millicent Garrett Fawcett (18th January, 1910)

(17) Joyce Marlow, Votes for Women (2001) page 121

(18) Millicent Garrett Fawcett, The Women's Suffrage Movement (1912) page 88

(19) Martin Pugh, The Pankhursts (2001) page 176

(20) Sylvia Pankhurst, The History of the Women's Suffrage Movement (1931) page 342

(21) Votes for Women (25th November, 1910)

(22) Dundee Evening Telegraph (23rd November, 1910)

(23) Sara Paulley, Grace Chappelow (24th July, 2020)

(24) The Vote (17th December 1910)

(25) Sara Paulley, Grace Chappelow (24th July, 2020)

(26) Treatment of the Women's Deputations of November 18th, 22nd and 23rd, 1910, by the Police (1910)

(27) Census Data (1911)

(28) Votes for Women (25th November 1910)

(29) The Chelmsford Chronicle (16th February 1912)

(30) Stephen Wynn, Struggle and Suffrage in Chelmsford (2019) page 32

(31) Teresa Billington Greig, The Non-Violent Militant: Selected Writings of Teresa Billington-Greig (1987) page 104

(32) The Daily Chronicle (28th March 1908)

(33) Elizabeth Crawford, The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928 (2000) page 672

(34) Sylvia Pankhurst, The History of the Women's Suffrage Movement (1931) page 351

(35) The Daily Herald (9th November 1912)

(36) Chelmsford Chronicle (15th November 1912)

(37) Chelmsford Chronicle (22nd November 1912)

(38) Upminster's Tragic Link to Black Friday (28th November, 2014)

(39) Sara Paulley, Grace Chappelow (24th July, 2020)

(40) The Vote (14th May 1910)

(41) The Morning Leader (6th March 1912)

(42) Stephen Wynn, Struggle and Suffrage in Chelmsford (2019) page 32

(43) Martin Pugh, The Pankhursts (2001) page 300

(44) The Star (4th September, 1914)

(45) Christabel Pankhurst, Unshackled (1959) page 288

(46) Sylvia Pankhurst, The History of the Women's Suffrage Movement (1931) pages 416-423

(47) Patricia W. Romero, E. Sylvia Pankhurst: Portrait of a Radical (1987) page 71

(48) Sara Paulley, Grace Chappelow (24th July, 2020)

(49) Census Data (1911)

(50) Sara Paulley, Grace Chappelow (24th July, 2020)

(51) 1939 National Register (29th September 1939)

(52) David Simkin, Family History Research (1st July, 2023)