Richard Henry Sackett

Richard Henry Sackett, baker and confectioner of Margate, Kent, son of Henry Sackett and Elizabeth Sackett, was born in St Peter in Thanet, Kent^G, on 3 September 1807¹ and baptized at St Peter in Thanet^G on 4 October 1807.¹ He died aged 71 in Margate^G on 12 August 1879^2,3 and was buried at Zion Chapel, Margate^G, on 15 August 1879.⁴ He married at St George, Ramsgate^G, on 23 November 1830, Elizabeth Dadd, widow.⁵ Elizabeth was born in Elham, Kent^G, in about 1806.⁶ She was probably the Elizabeth Sackett who died aged 69 in Maidstone, Kent^G, in 1875.⁷
     Richard's wife Elizabeth was admitted to the Bethlem Hospital, Southwark, London^G, on 15 June 1832 suffering from peritonitis and post-natal depression. She had attempted suicide by taking arsenic—in a grim echo of the death of her mother who had committed suicide by hanging when deranged after her husband had been run over and killed by a wagon. Elizabeth remained in the hospital for six months until discharged on 25 December when she was declared "well".
     Elizabeth was again admitted to the hospital some twelve years later on 30 August 1844. Her daughter Emma had died aged eleven of tuberculosis a year earlier. Elizabeth suffered delirium at the time of the death, and had since become delusional and suicidal. Severe headaches were treated with "leeches, blisters, and purgations". After a five-month stay, she was declared "well" and discharged on 24 January 1845.
     The respite was brief, and Elizabeth was re-admitted less than two months later on 13 March, staying in hospital for nearly fifteen months until discharged on 5 June 1846, this time with the less optimistic declaration of "uncured".
     Described as "affectionate" and "liberal" and "always of a good disposition" before becoming ill, she was now "constantly talking and hollering, tearing her hair out, destroying her clothes, wringing her hands," and was suicidal, "talking of hanging".
     Whether Elizabeth's condition subsequently improved is not known, but she is recorded living at home with her husband Richard over the next twenty-five years.
     Records from the Bethlem Hospital (which had notoriously become known as "Bedlam" in consequence of its poor conditions) show that, in this period, and in regard to Elizabeth's treatment, patients were treated with compassion and professionalism, at least by the standards of knowledge of the day.⁸
     In 1841 Richard was living at King Street, St John, Margate, Kent^G, and was recorded in the census as Richard Sackett, a baker, aged 30 [ages rounded down to nearest five years] and born in Kent. Living with him was his wife Elizabeth, aged 35, and their daughter Emma, aged nine. Also in the household were a male servant, a female servant, and a baker's apprentice.⁹
     In 1851 Richard was living at 21 King Street, Margate, Kent^G, and was recorded in the census as Richard Henry Sackett, a baker employing one man, head of household, married, aged 43, and born in St Peter's. Living with him were his wife Elizabeth, aged 45 and born in Elham, and an 18-year-old male servant.¹⁰
     In 1861 he was living at 21 King Street, Margate, Kent^G, and was recorded as Richard Sackett, a baker employing one man, head of household, married, aged 52, and born in St Peter's. Living with him was his wife Elizabeth, aged 55 and born in Elham.¹¹
     In 1871 he was living at 75 King Street, Margate, Kent^G, and was recorded as Richard H Sackett, a baker, head of household, married, aged 63, and born in St Peter's. Living with him were his wife Elizabeth, aged 65 and born in Elham, and a 17-year-old female servant.¹²
     Richard died intestate. Letters of administration of his estate were granted at the Probate Registry, Canterbury^G, on 2 September 1879 to his brother Benjamin Watten Sackett. Richard's estate was valued at less than £100.³
     Richard was named as a beneficiary in his brother Benjamin's will made in Ramsgate^G on 5 December 1881.¹³