Ellen Martin
(1853-1864)

Ellen Martin was the ninth of the twelve children of James Martin, and the second of the five children had with his second wife Mary Tingey of Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Like eleven of her twelve siblings, she did not survive childhood. She died at home, aged 11 years, in early November from Scarlet Fever. Her sister Sarah Ann died 13 days later, of the same highly contagious infection.

However, parish records are ambiguous after this point. Her sister Sarah Ann is clearly recorded receiving a burial on 18th November 1864, but mysteriously Ellen isn't listed. However, on the date of Sarah Ann's burial, Sarah is listed as Sarah Ann [Ellen] Martin aged nine years.

Why is 'Ellen' inserted into this entry? Surely her body was not stored for 15 days before being buried with her sister - as they couldn't have pre-empted Sarah Ann's death?

As mysterious as this is, Ellen remains without a burial (although clearly she ended up somewhere).

Life Events

Born

• 19th August 1853 at the Second Drove, Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Baptism

• 25th March 1855 at St. Leonard's Church, Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Census and Residence

• 1861: 7yrs, Second Drove, Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England.

Death

• 3rd November 1864 at Second Drove, Little Downham, Cambridgeshire, England, aged 11 years. Cause of death: Scarlet Fever - certified.

Burial

• Not yet known.