The Early Life of Mary Ann Nichols
Mary Ann Walker was born on 26th August 1845 to Edward and Caroline Walker. She was known as Polly.
Polly married William Nichols on 26th January 1865 and had five children. The marriage was not a happy one, and the two separated many times before separating for good in 1881.
The separation appeared to be amicable, William paid Polly a monthly sum for support. However, in 1882, the payments stopped as William discovered that Polly was working as a prostitute. This sparked a series of stays at different workhouses and infirmaries, her health effected by her drinking problem. This was a common addiction and the services of a prostitute could be bought for around 2 pence, the price of a glass of gin was around 3 pence.
From 24th March until 21st May 1883, Polly lived with her father, Edward. They often fought over her drinking, but he later claimed that she was not in the habit of staying out late at night. After leaving, Polly is thought to have lived with a blacksmith called Thomas Dew. Their relationship lasted about four years and had a positive effect upon Polly’s character, when she attended her brother’s funeral in 1886, her family noticed that she was respectably dressed and appeared sober.
The relationship with Thomas Dew apparently over, Polly was hired as a domestic servant for Samuel and Sarah Cowdry on 12th May 1888. In a letter to her father, Polly described the couple as “teetotalers and religious.” Despite this, the situation didn’t last long and two months later Polly left, stealing clothing worth 3 pounds, 10 shillings.
During a stay at a lodging house situated at 18 Thrawl Street, Spitalfields, Polly shared a room with three other women. This was a common arrangement, with beds costing about 4 pence a night. While there, Polly met a woman called Emily Holland. Their room was described as unusually neat. However, on the night of her death, Polly is known to have been staying at a lodging house known locally as ‘The White House’, 56 Flower and Dean Street, where men and women are allowed to share a bed.
Time Line of the Night Mary Ann Nichols Died
Thursday, 30th August 1888:
11pm: An unnamed witness sees Polly walking down Whitechapel Road.
Friday, 31st August 1888:
12.30am: Polly leaves The Frying Pan public house and returns to the lodging house at 18 Thrawl Street.
Approx. 1.30am: The deputy of the lodging house tells Polly to leave as she cannot pay the fee (known as “doss money”). Polly leaves but asks for a bed to be saved for her, exclaiming “see what a jolly bonnet I’ve got now” and showing off a new black bonnet.
2.30am: Polly meets Emily Holland and claims she has had her doss money three times already that day but has spent it on alcohol. She tells Emily that she is going to try soliciting for trade one more time before returning to the lodging house on Flower and Dean Street.
3.15am: Two police officers patrolling Buck’s Row report nothing unusual.
3.40/45am: Polly’s body is found by Charles Cross and Robert Paul. The two men find police officer P.C. Neil, who calls for Dr. Llewellyn. The doctor pronounces Polly dead “but a few minutes”.
The inquest testimony reported in The Times newspaper describes Polly as having her throat slit, deep wounds 2-3 inches from the left side of the abdomen as well as several incisions running across the abdomen.
Mary Ann Nichols was buried on Thursday, 6th September 1888. Her murderer has never been identified.
Source:
www.casebook.org- the best online resource for the study of Jack the Ripper and Victorian London.
Jack the Ripper: The Facts, by Paul Begg, published by Robson Books.
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