Routledge / Forster

Sarah Elizabeth Routledge was the 8th of 10 children (5 of each) born to James and Elizabeth Routledge. The family lived in a few locations around the mining villages near Aspatria (Threapland / Harriston / Fletchertown / Aspatria).

In 1891 Sarah was 14, still living at home and recorded as an apprentice dressmaker. Her father and two of her brothers were coalminers, some others had left home but she still had a younger siblings William and Catherine at home.

By 1901 and aged 24, Sarah was working in Botcherby, Carlisle as a housemaid. Her employers were the Woods of Wood Street – Mr Wood was a civil engineer and he is living with his second wife, Florence Chambres. Her unusual name reveals an interesting history- she had royal blood being a direct descendent of the Plantagenets (Henry II onwards).
The house they all lived in is still there, Bramerton Lodge, 30 Wood Street, a large old house (now painted white) facing St. Andrew's church.

Meanwhile in another part of Botcherby at 7, Charlotte Terrace, John Forster (aged 16 in 1901) was living with his grandparents John and Jane Forster who were now well into their seventies. John’s father had of course died young, but his mother Ellen and the rest of the family were still living together in the fish shop in Botchergate. John must have moved out to get a job; he was listed as being a railway engine fireman.

John Forster and Sarah Elizabeth Routledge were married in 1904 so they probably met when they were both living in Botcherby.