During our Swindon Suffragette festival in 2018 I led a guided walk around Christ Church churchyard, visiting some of the notable women buried there.

There is a lot known about William Morris, founder of the Swindon Advertiser. He was outspoken and challenging in the columns of his newspaper. He was a member of the Local Board of Health (the local authority of his day). He travelled widely and wrote several books.

But it is less easy to find out what his wife did. Maybe she belonged to clubs and served on committees, in keeping with her husband’s status in Swindon, but it is difficult to find out how she spent her time. That is, if she had any to spare.

Martha was baptised in Wroughton on July 14, 1823, the daughter of shopkeeper James Howe and his wife Mary. At the time of the 1841 census Martha worked as a servant at Salthrop.

Martha and William married in the parish church at Walcot, Somerset on September 8, 1845. William described his occupation as Printer. He was under the age of 21 and Martha was two years older.

At the time of the 1851 census the couple lived in Victoria Street. William described himself as a Letter Press printer employing two men. He was 25 and Martha 27. They had been married less than six years and Martha already had three children. Jessie 4, William 3 and Frederick 1. (Jessie died in 1853 and was buried in Wroughton, most probably in a Howe family grave). Also living with them was William’s brother and sister. Henry Morris was 14 and described as a letter press printer and 12 year old Elizabeth was described as a servant. Obviously family members had to pull their weight.

By 1861 Martha had had another five children – Walter 9, Samuel 7, Valentine 5, Jessy 3 (named after the daughter who had died) and 7 month old Edwin. And that wasn’t the end – by 1871 Martha had had another three children – Kate 9, Septimus 7 and Mark 4 – 11 children in all.

Martha died on December 14, 1886 aged 64. I was hoping to find an obituary in William’s paper. There is a death notice, but again it’s all about William rather than Martha.

It reads:

For 41 years the faithful and devoted wife of William Morris (Editor and Proprietor of the ‘Swindon Advertiser’).

He also publishes a rather flowery poem by G.J. Davis, but the last few lines are rather nice.

Oft to the worthless, men memorial raise,

To keep their memories fresh. Beneath the sun

Our love will never die, thou gentle one!

Administration of Martha’s will was left in the hands of her son William Edwin Thomas Morris and her effects were valued at £151 8s 3d.

She was buried in Christ Church churchyard on December 18 and is remembered on the Morris family memorial there.

The Morris family memorial in Christ Church