Local Headlines
Nostalgia: The story of the sleeping girl of Bucks that moved to Berks
This is the story about a girl called Ellen Sadler, who as a child lived with her family in a cottage in Turville, near High Wycombe.
In 1871 Ellen was said to have fallen asleep and did not wake for nine years.
She then went on to live a full life, including living near Wokingham, then in Caversham, for some 40 years.
The village of Turville
Turville is the quintessential Chiltern parish. It covers a wide area, but is very scattered, having been formed by the amalgamation of hamlets, those of the Heath, North End and South End, into one administrative unit. These hamlets are between 2 and 4 miles from the parish church St Mary the Virgin. The church faces you as you enter the village, which consists of about a couple of dozen houses, one of which is now called Sleepy Cottage, which borders the churchyard. At the time of this story the Vicar was the Rev Studholme, and the parish was in the Poor Law Union of Wycombe.
Ellen’s family
Ellen was the eleventh child of William Sadler, her mother Ann nee Parker being the second wife of William. He died in 1863 leaving Ann with a young family of at least 3 children to care for, so understandably she was anxious to remarry. She did so on July 15, 1865 to Thomas Fruin (also spelt Frewen or Frewin) at the parish church in Turville.
Thomas does not seem to have been a good choice by Ann. Some 39 years old, a labourer and a bachelor, he would have had no experience of looking after young children (the youngest girls Grace and Ellen would have been 9 and 6 in 1865, and Eli only 2). Furthermore, he had a criminal record. By the age of 31 he had been jailed for two months for poaching (1845), with his brother Daniel jailed for two months for ‘trespass’ (1849), and initially been fined £1 plus costs for assaulting Jabez Webb (1858), but then jailed for one month for non-payment of the fine.
Ellen becomes the Sleeping Girl
It is probable therefore that Ellen and her young siblings spent some of their most formative years in a not entirely harmonious environment at home.
Ellen in particular, and we know more about her than we do about her siblings because of her fame as the sleeping girl, was said to be a quiet, sedate and thoughtful child. She had a dreamy, listless manner and a deep melancholy, distant expression. She would sit for hours, thinking and apparently oblivious to all that which was going on around her. She regularly attended Sunday School and was keen to learn. It was said that the only thing which seemed to rouse her was her stepfather’s ‘intemperate habits’, which included a fondness for alcohol.
In 1870 Ellen aged 11 began work as a nursemaid to a family in Marlow. This did not last long, as Ellen was prone to falling asleep. Back home she began to suffer from ‘glandular swellings’, which might have been an abscess on the back of her head and was attended by local doctor Henry Hayman F.R.C.S from Stokenchurch. He thought it necessary for Ellen to be admitted to hospital, something which the family could not afford, so the Rev Studholme asked Hayman if he could arrange or her admission to Reading Hospital. There her condition worsened and after some18 weeks she was discharged as being incurable. So by the time of the census on April 2, 1871, she was back home in Turville.
As soon as Ellen had arrived home she began to feel drowsy and had several seizures. On March 17 1871 Ann told Ellen to pray and they prayed together, with Ellen rocking herself to- and-fro with her hands clasped. She gradually lost control over herself, becoming more and more convulsed, her eyes rolling wildly and her limbs twitching.
Dr Hayman was sent for and he found ‘the child fixen down, that is to say she had sunk into a state of insensibility, in which she now remains’. She was ‘on her left side, with her hand under her head, and the lower extremities drawn upwards’. It was in this position that her mother said that Ellen remained for the duration of her 9-year sleep. Dr Hayman visited her many times over the next few years and he later said that ‘he never found her otherwise’.
Ellen then became something of a tourist attraction. She was visited by medical professionals, religious men, journalists and the ‘plain curious’ from throughout the country. Until her mother got ‘wise’ to this, some of the visitors stuck sharp objects like pins into her to see if she would respond, always to no effect. Although the family never asked for money, many of these visitors donated money to them. Some even requested if they could take cuts of Ellen’s hair, which her mother allowed at first but soon had to stop for obvious reasons! It was said that these donations could amount to £2 a week, equivalent to about £ 200 today!
Her mother Ann exhibited extra-ordinary care and devotion to keep her daughter alive, not knowing whether or not she would eventually wake-up. It would seem to be very doubtful that she received much, if any, support from her husband Thomas Frewen, Ellen's stepfather.
Ellen's mother dies
Ann Frewen passed away on May 29,1880, succumbing to 'oedema of the heart', from which she had been suffering for many years. She was 55 years old. An inquest was held on June 4 into her death at the Bull and Butcher pub, presided over by the county Coroner. A major part of the proceedings was to consider how Ellen would now be cared for.
The Coroner in summing up said that as Thomas Frewen was not Ellen's father he had no legal responsibility towards her. He continued 'The parish officers should look after the case and see that someone is attending to it - I suppose the sisters are looking after it now'.
Most of the family appear to have gone their separate ways after Ann’s death. It would seem that Ellen was indeed cared for by those of her sisters who were closest to her in age, but mostly by Grace.
Her step-father Thomas seems to have had nothing to do with her or the other members of his inherited family and died on May 16, 1899, in the workhouse at Saunderton.
Ellen awakes
Late in the year 1880 Ellen awoke. She was then aged 21, and in the census return on April 3 of the following year she was described as an ‘invalid’. She was living with Grace and her family, as was her younger brother Eli aged 18. Although Grace was only 3 years older than Ellen, she had married Rueben Blackall in 1877 and already given birth to two children. It seems likely therefore that Grace and Reuben took responsibility for both Ellen and Eli immediately after their mother died. The family were living in the adjacent village of Ibstone.
We learn from Dr Hayman more about the nature of Ellen’s situation at that time because on January 16, 1881, the local press reported that he had written to the medical journal The Lancet:
‘It may be interesting to know that a change has taken place in the girl. I was called to see her about three weeks ago [that would have been around Christmastime in 1880] and on the occasion of my visit I took her hand in mine and said to her “Ellen, if you know me, and all around me, and everything that is said, squeeze my hand”. This she did firmly. I repeated the same words, and she again squeezed my hand. Today [which would have been about Jan 13] I have visited her again and have had a conversation with her. She has opened her eyes and answers every question I have put to her. She takes plentiful nourishment many times a day, and she hopes soon to be able to sit up. Her general health in every respect is quite regular’.
Ellen leads a normal life
Ellen must have recovered to live a near-normal life because in 1886 she married Mark Blackall, who was a few years younger than her. Over the next 12 years the couple had five surviving children, four daughters Ann (born 1887), Elizabeth (who was also called Mabel, born 1889), Gladys (1891), Gertrude (1897), and just one son Sydney born in 1896.
They moved several times, living in Barkham nr Wokingham in 1891, and different addresses in Caversham nr Reading in 1901,1911, and 1921, when only Gertrude was still living with them, together with a lodger Harry Gunter. Over that period Mark had a number of jobs, culminating as a ‘carman’ working for coal merchants Talbot and Sons in 1921, then for the Thames Conservancy Board. He has a claim to fame, being the first carter to cross over the (then) new Reading bridge. This was opened 100 years ago, on October 3, 1923.
Mark Blackall died aged 70 in August 1936 when the family were living at 40 Star Rd in Caversham. Ellen was still living at that address in 1939, when she gave her date of birth as May 17 1855. Living with her as a companion was another widowed lady, who was fifteen years younger.
Ellen then moved to Swindon to live with the family of her daughter Gladys, at 27 Gordon Rd and died there in 1946. Her body was then taken back to Caversham for burial in the Henley Road cemetery on October 30, 1946.
A descendant of Gladys and her husband Sidney Cannon remembered that "Our maternal grandparents [that is Ellen and Mark Blackall] lived in quite a nice large, terraced house in Star Lane, Lower Caversham......Grandad Blackall, our mother's father was rather a daunting man as big as our grandmother was small, and he had a big carbuncle over his right eye’.
Does any reader remember Ellen or any members of her family, if so I would love to hear from you, please contact Mike Dewey by email deweymiked@aol.com.
Bucks Free Press
Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times
Oxford Mail
BBC News
Google News
Tel
Bucks Free Press News
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100
Marlow business owner announces closure of pottery studio
A business owner who ‘followed her dream’ by opening a pottery studio in Marlow three years ago is bidding the town goodbye.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +0100
Bucks man named in planning breach plans new homes
A Bucks businessman and his wife have said they plan to build new homes next door to where a dump on their land broke planning rules.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +0100
Two shops selling illegal vapes shut down by council
Two shops that sold illegal vapes and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco in Aylesbury have been shut down by Bucks Council.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:00:00 +0100
Plan for 79 homes near Aylesbury refused permission
Plans to build 79 homes near Aylesbury have been refused planning permission by Bucks Council.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:28:28 +0100
Police appeal for witnesses after three 'linked' burglaries in Burnham
Thames Valley Policw have released an urgent appeal for witnesses following three burglaries in Burnham.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 19:00:00 +0100
Trailer with Range Rover on top is 'dumped' in Holmer Green
Numerous residents in Holmer Green have expressed their frustration after a car transporter trailer which has a disused Range Rover on top has been left ‘abandoned’ in the village.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 18:30:00 +0100
Tom Kerridge's Coach in Marlow ranked a 'go-to' place
A Michelin-starred establishment in Marlow has been regarded as one of the most affordable to visit in the country.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 16:44:50 +0100
Amersham councillors angry at parking charge increase
Several Liberal Democrat councillors in Amersham have revealed that more people in the town are struggling to use numerous car park machines due to technical issues.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:47:00 +0100
Aylesbury MP mentions Bowie and WW2 in first speech
Aylesbury’s new Labour MP has spoken about David Bowie, World War Two and Roald Dahl in her maiden speech.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 11:51:21 +0100
Christ Church Flackwell Heath pick up eco-friendly award
A village church near High Wycombe has recently received an award to celebrate its eco friendliness.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 11:33:36 +0100
Elangeni School in Amersham ranked one of the best
Pupils at an Amersham school are celebrating placing on a national leader board of most active schools. original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 11:20:22 +0100
Prestwood man opens up after mum loses brave cancer battle
A Prestwood man has shared his experience of how a hospice looked after his ill mother, as he encourages members of the public to Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge in aid of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 10:21:28 +0100
Amersham In Bloom 2024 entry takes over the town
Numerous plants and garden ornaments have been implanted all over Amersham as part of the town’s ‘In Bloom’ feature.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0100
Aylesbury United help donate more than £2k for local charity
Aylesbury United have revealed that they have raised £2,541.75 for the Youth Concern charity during the 2023/24 season.original article
Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100
Chesham Bois campaigners urge objections to church
Chesham Bois campaigners have urged people to object to a church’s plans to construct a new conference centre.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 18:35:18 +0100
Chesham woman Paige Hall tragically dies aged just 25
A mother has paid tribute to her beautiful’ and kind-hearted daughter who has died tragically at the age of 25 in Chesham.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 17:22:50 +0100
Mugshot of ex-Wycombe man and rapist Nathan Ashton released
Here is the official mugshot of former Wycombe Wanderers winger Nathan Ashton after he was convicted of rape.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 19:00:00 +0100
Taplow swimmers take on gruelling Channel crossing for charity
A group of six swimmers who, despite being relative strangers just seven months ago, teamed up to conquer the daunting challenge of swimming the Channel.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +0100
Council accused of 'failing to decide' on Beaconsfield care home plans
A housing developer is launching an appeal against Buckinghamshire Council for ‘failing to decide’ on an application to build a new care home on a historic estate in Beaconsfield.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 17:36:06 +0100
Carol Kirkwood shares how Bucks wedding was almost ruined
BBC Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has described her wedding at Cliveden House in Bucks as ‘beautiful and very romantic’ and shared how it was almost ruined, ironically, by a thunderstorm.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 17:36:00 +0100
M25: Big new data centre planned next to motorway
A massive new data centre – larger than six football pitches – has been planned on Green Belt land by the M25 motorway in South Buckinghamshire.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 17:06:23 +0100
Police 'concerned for welfare' of missing boy from Aylesbury
Police are appealing for information about a 15-year-old boy who went missing from Aylesbury on Saturday, July 20.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +0100
Second piece of 'Banksy' street art spotted in Marlow
A second Banksy-style piece of street art has appeared in Marlow – as speculation over their authenticity mounts.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:25:28 +0100
Man, 21, charged with attempted murder in Chalfont St Giles
A 21-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after a man's throat was cut in Chalfont St Giles this week.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:40:43 +0100
Stokenchurch men jailed after violent riot at boxing match
Three men from Buckinghamshire have been jailed after a violent multi-weapon attack at a children's boxing tournament in Warwickshire.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:34:10 +0100
Higginson Park playground in Marlow closed for filming
A playground in Marlow has been closed to the public while filming takes place this morning.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:12:54 +0100
Man dies after altercation at Red Lion pub in Burnham
A MAN has died after he was attacked at a pub in Burnham after two women were allegedly sexually assaulted.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100
Fashion brand Sosandar opens shop on Marlow High Street
An online retailer loved by Holly Willoughby is preparing to open its first bricks-and-mortar store on Marlow High Street.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 17:37:02 +0100
Person charged after woman is kidnapped in Chalfont St Peter
A charge has been made after a person was kidnapped in Chalfont St Peter.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0100
New dog exercise park opening in Chalfont St Peter
A brand-new dog exercise and training park is set to open in Chalfont St Peter next month.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 14:29:20 +0100
Car is '100 percent destroyed' in fire along Chesham street
A car has been completely destroyed in a fire in Chesham.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:19:00 +0100
Marlow printworks to be demolished for new housing
A vacant former printworks in Marlow is to be demolished and developed into new homes despite neighbours raising privacy concerns.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 11:21:39 +0100
Great Missenden Lawn Tennis Club open new padel courts
Great Missenden Lawn Tennis Club ushered in a new phase this weekend with its two new padel courts.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0100
High Wycombe's most and least expensive streets revealed
High Wycombe’s most expensive and least expensive streets have been revealed.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100
Women are allegedly groped at the Red Lion pub in Burnham
A Buckinghamshire dad says he 'wants justice' after two women were allegedly sexually assaulted at a Burnham pub over the weekend.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0100
What speed triggers a speed camera? Car experts explain
Find out what speed triggers a speed camera in the UK - RAC experts explain how they work.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 14:30:00 +0100
Chesham: Stream off River Chess cleared of rubbish
A stream off the River Chess in Chesham has been cleared of rubbish and debris after flooding at the site earlier this month.original article
Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:42:01 +0100
Warning to Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2 & other airline passengers
One of the most important steps before boarding your flight is making sure that all of your items are packed correctlyoriginal article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 15:17:18 +0100
Chalfont St Giles: Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man in his 60s had his throat cut.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 19:00:00 +0100
Bucks Council to pay woman over care care failures
A woman will be paid for more than £9,000 by Bucks Council after it bungled her late mother’s care.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:00:00 +0100
‘Driver used my car reg to speed’ – Chesham grandad
A Chesham grandad has spoken of his ‘confusion’ at receiving a speeding ticket after another driver used his registration plate on their vehicle.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 16:30:00 +0100
Hugh Jackman visits Henley gym while filming Three Bags Full
A gym manager from Henley bumped into Wolverine star Hugh Jackman while he was shooting Three Bags Full in Hambleden.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:54:22 +0100
Maidenhead man reported missing along M40 found 'safe and well'
Thames Valley Police have thanked members of the public after a missing man from Maidenhead was found ‘safe and well’.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0100
Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club films in Beaconsfield
An adaptation of Richard Osman’s popular murder-mystery novel starring Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren and David Tennant is filming in Beaconsfield.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:30:00 +0100
New padel tennis courts set for Princes Risborough
New padel tennis courts are being built at Princes Risborough’s Horsenden Lawn Tennis Club despite neighbours’ fears over parking.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:05:41 +0100
Man dies in hospital after being attacked at Burnham pub
original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100
LOOK INSIDE: 25 million pound riverside mansion in Bourne End
Riverside Manor is palatial new house and estate of approximately 33,435 sq ft in total, built within the last few years, in a magical riverside position on the banks of the River Thames at Bourne End, overlooking the village of Cookham.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:54:46 +0100
Six men charged with affray following mass brawl in Stokenchurch
Six men have been charged with affray following a public brawl in Stokenchurch.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:34:00 +0100
Two Bucks MPs reject bid to scrap child benefit cap
Wycombe and Aylesbury’s new Labour MPs have voted against a bid to scrap the Conservatives’ two-child benefit cap.original article
Wed, 24 Jul 2024 10:05:32 +0100
Wycombe's Carpetright branch one of four in Bucks to close
Four Carpetright stores in Buckinghamshire will close after the chain was bought out of administration earlier this week.original article
Last updated by System Admin on 27th August, 2018