Mary Emily Postlethwaite

Mary Emily Postlethwaite, the eldest of seven children born to Mary Jane Hackett (1824–1902) and Thomas Postlethwaite (1826–1895), was baptised at St Mary's Church, Hitchin on 24th May 1855. At the time her father farmed 530 acres in Hertfordshire. Her siblings included Thomas (1856-1926), Kate (1859-1929), William (1860-1865), Harry (1862-1949), Frank (1863-1943) and Elinor (1866-1941). By 1866, Thomas Postlethwaite and his family had moved north to the new town of Millom in Cumberland, where he set himself up as a "Slate Merchant". (1)

In 1880 Mary Postlethwaite became a student at the Derby School of Art. Mary and his sister Elinor moved to London and attended the Royal Academy Schools. (2) In January 1891 it was reported that Mary had received from the "President of the Royal Academy a silver medal for a clever painting of a draped figure at the Academy Schools (open to Miss Postlethwaite is the first lady who has is the highest award bestowed by the Academy upon its students)". (3)

Mary Postlethwaite joined the Kensington branch of the Women's Social and Political Union where she met and became friends with Louisa Garrett Anderson and Evelyn Sharp. The three women sold Votes for Women in Kensington High Street. Sharp later recalled the differences between the suffragists (NUWSS) and the suffragettes (WSPU). Suffragists had waited and worked for so long that they felt they could wait a little longer. Suffragettes who had become "suddenly aware of an imperative need, could not wait another minute." (4)

On the 30th June, 1908, she was selected to be a member of a deputation led by Emmeline Pankhurst from Caxton Hall, taking a resolution to the House of Commons demanding an immediate effective measure to give votes to women. During the procession several women were arrested. This included Mary Postlethwaite, Maud Joachim, Florence Haig, Marion Wallace-Dunlop, Mary Phillips, Jessie Kenney, Elsie Howey, Edith New, Mary Leigh, Vera Wentworth and Florence Haig. (5)

A suffragette being arrested in 1910. — A member of the WSPU being arrested.

On 1st July, 1908, the women appeared in court. Mr Muskett, who appeared for the Metropolitan Police, said that there was really nothing new to be said in regard to these cases."Many ladies in the Union came there with the intention of being arrested." (6) Florence Haig said: "Mr. Asquith has shown us that peaceful demonstrations are useless." (7)

Mary Phillips argued that: "The government has forced women to adopt these tactics, and the Government is responsible for them." Elsie Howey said, "I don't think I obstructed the police, the police obstructed me." Had also a previous conviction. She had to said to a constable, "I am so glad you arrested me; I wanted to be arrested." Mary Postlethwaite was ordered to find a £20 surely or go to prison for a month. (8)

At a meeting in France in October 1912, Christabel Pankhurst told Frederick Pethick-Lawrence and Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence about the proposed arson campaign. When they objected, Christabel arranged for them to be expelled from the the organisation. Emmeline later recalled in her autobiography, My Part in a Changing World (1938): "My husband and I were not prepared to accept this decision as final. We felt that Christabel, who had lived for so many years with us in closest intimacy, could not be party to it. But when we met again to go further into the question… Christabel made it quite clear that she had no further use for us." (9)

As a result Mary Postlethwaite's close friend, Evelyn Sharp, left the WSPU. So did a large-number of other members. However, Mary remained and took over Sharp's position as the Honorary Secretary of the Kensington branch of the WSPU. (10)

In February 1913 Mary Postlethwaite raised money for WSPU funds by chalking pictures on the pavement. (11) She also gave support to the work of Sylvia Pankhurst in her efforts on helping the Labour Party build up its support in London. This caused conflict with Emmeline Pankhurst and Christabel Pankhurst who were attempting to gain middle class support by arguing in favour of a limited franchise. (12) As a result of this conflict Mary Postlethwaite left the WSPU. (13)

On 6th February 1914, a group of supporters of women's suffrage, who were disillusioned by the lack of success of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies and disapproved of the arson campaign of the Women Social & Political Union, decided to form the United Suffragists movement. Members included Evelyn Sharp, Henry Harben, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, Frederick Pethick-Lawrence, Mary Neal, Henry Nevinson, Margaret Nevinson, Hertha Ayrton, Barbara Ayrton Gould, Gerald Gould, Israel Zangwill, Edith Zangwill, Lena Ashwell, Louisa Garrett Anderson, Eveline Haverfield, Maud Arncliffe Sennett, John Scurr, Julia Scurr and Laurence Housman. (14) By 1915 Mary Postlethwaite was the honorary secretary of the Kensington branch of the United Suffragettes. (15)

In 1921 Mary Postlethwaite was living at Gaddesden Row, Hemel Hempstead, and described herself as a "retired artist". (16)

Mary Emily Postlethwaite moved to Bryn Tavy Cottage, Mary Tavy, Devon. She died on 30th March 1933, aged 78. Probate went to her younger sister, Elinor Postlethwaite, and her nephew, Paul Postlethwaite, an army lieutenant. She left £2,912 in her will. (17)

Primary Sources

(1) The Kilburn Times (19th December 1890)

We have to congratulate Miss Mary Emily Postlethwaite, daughter of Mr Postlethwaite of Oxford Road, upon receiving from the President of the Royal Academy a week ago the silver medal in this class, which is the highest award the Academy can bestow upon its students.

(2) South Wales Echo (5th January 1891)

Miss Mary Emily Postlethwaite must be congratulated upon receiving from the President of the Royal Academy a silver medal for a clever painting of a draped figure at the Academy Schools (open to Miss Postlethwaite is the first lady who has is the highest award bestowed by the Academy upon its students.

(3) Sheffield Daily Telegraph (2nd July 1908)

Mr Muskett, who appeared for the Metropolitan Police, said that there was really nothing new to be said in regard to these cases. It had come to the notice of the Commissioner of Police that the Women's Social and Political Union had arranged for a large demonstration of their supporters to be held in Parliament Square last night. He administered a caution to the ladies of the Union, but that warning, which was given in the interests of the public, was disregarded. Many ladies in the Union came there with the intention of being arrested, and six of those who were actually taken in charge formed part of the deputation…

Mary Phillips then entered the dock, and Superintendent Wells, giving general evidence on the subject of the scene in the square, said it was absolutely necessary to call out the mounted police…

Miss Phillips then entered the dock, and Superintendent Wells, giving general evidence on the subject of the scene in the square, said it was absolutely necessary to call out the mounted police…

Miss Phillips, who was stated to have run into the Palace Yard, said: "The government has forced women to adopt these tactics, and the Government is responsible for them."

Rose Neville Howey, who said, "I don't think I obstructed the police, the police obstructed me." Had also a previous conviction. She had to said to a constable, "I am so glad you arrested me; I wanted to be arrested." She was ordered to find two sureties of £25 each, or go to prison for three months.

Jessie Kenney, who was said to have driven up in a hansom and began to give an address, was ordered to find a £20 surely or go to prison for a month.

Mary Postlethwaite, who was stated to have been a member of the afternoon deputation, was similarly dealt with.

(4) Votes for Women (9th July 1908)

As a consequence of the proceedings of Tuesday, June 30, described in our last issue, twenty-seven of the defendants appeared before Mr Francis at the Westminster Police Court, all charged with obstructing the police in the execution of their duty….

Mary Garth, 21, was found trying to force her way to the gates of the House of Commons, and refused to go away. She was ordered to find a surety in £20 for twelve months good behaviour, or be imprisoned for one month – second division.

Rose Elsie Nellie Howey, 23, said that, in reality, the police obstructed her. Having appeared before, she was ordered to find two sureties in £25, or go to prison for three months.

Jessie Kenney, 21, Mary Emily Postlethwaite, 33, and Constance Bray, 31, were ordered to find two sureties in £25, or go to prison for one month.

Florence Haig said: "Mr. Asquith has shown us that peaceful demonstrations are useless."

Having appeared before, she was ordered to find two sureties in £25 each, or go to goal for three months.

(5) The Suffragette (20th December 1912)

Kensington Branch of WSPU: Song and violin recital given by Lady Sybil Smith and Miss Mary Law at 2, Clapden Hill Square (by kind permission of Mrs Brackenbury) greatly appreciated (Honorary Secretary, Miss Postlethwaite, Shop, 43, Church Street.)

(6) David Simkin, Family History Research (3rd May, 2023)

Mary Emily Postlethwaite was born in 1855 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Her baptism took place at St Mary's Church, Hitchin on 24th May 1855. Mary was the eldest of seven children born to Mary Jane Hackett (1824–1902) and Thomas Postlethwaite (1826–1895), who, at the time of Mary's birth, was farming 530 acres in Hertfordshire. By 1866, Thomas Postlethwaite and his family had moved north to the new town of Millom in Cumberland, where Mary's father set himself up as a "Slate Merchant".

Thomas Postlethwaite had married Mary Jane Hackett in Derby on 24th May 1854. This union produced 7 children:

(1) Mary Emily Postlethwaite (born 1855, Hitchin, Hertfordshire - died 30 March 1933, Mary Tavy, Devon)
(2) Thomas Norton Postlethwaite (born 1856, Hitchin, Hertfordshire - died 9 November 1926, Great Urswick, Lancashire) - who became a clergyman.
(3) Kate Postlethwaite (born 1859, Hitchin, Hertfordshire - died 22 February 1929, Midhurst, Sussex).- who became a hospital nurse in Scotland.
(4) William Postlethwaite (born 1860, Hitchin, Hertfordshire - died 10 August 1865). Died in infancy.
(5) Harry Postlethwaite (born 17 May 1862, Hitchin, Hertfordshire - died 29 March 1949, Santa Clara, California, USA). Emigrated to the USA in 1888. Grocer and Fruit Grower.
(6) Frank Postlethwaite (born 13 December 1863, Hitchin, Hertfordshire - died 28 December 1943, Highampton, Devon).. Became a General Medical Practitioner in the West Country.
(7) Elinor Postlethwaite (born 21 February 1866, Millom, Cumberland - died 1 June 1941, Brentor, Devon). Became an Artist.

At the time of the 1891 Census, 35-year-old Mary Emily Postlethwaite was living with her retired parents in Willesden, Middlesex. Residing alongside Mary was her younger sister Elinor Postlethwaite, described on the census return as a 25-year-old "Artist in Painting". No profession or occupation is given for Mary Emily Postlethwaite on the 1891 census. Ten years later, Mary and Elinor were still living at 41 Oxford Road, Willesden, Middlesex. The 1901 Census records the head of the household as Mary Jane Postlethwaite, a 77-year-old widow. Mary Emily Postlethwaite is recorded as an "Artist", aged 46. Her sister Elinor Postlethwaite, is also described on the census return as an "Artist".

Mary Emily Postlethwaite, spinster, of Bryn Tavy Cottage, Mary Tavy, Devon, died on 30th March 1933, aged 78. Probate went to her younger sister, Elinor Postlethwaite, and her nephew, Paul Postlethwaite, an army lieutenant.