Martha Martin (1871): Biographical Entry

1.499 MARTIN, Martha, ‘The Ups and Downs of Life’, MS, pp.277 (c.36,000 words) + shorter version of 62pp. Brunel University Library.

Born 1871 in Tamworth. Father a gardener/market gardener, and a Primitive Methodist. Eldest child of 10. Educated at school to age 15. Married, 1911. Lived at Chorlton; Stocklane; Bishops Wood; Tettenhall; Norton le Moors; Lytham; and then in hotels at Ashby de la Zouch, Leicester, Peterborough, Dewsbury, Isle of Man, Barnsley and elsewhere; emigrated to America in 1914.

Domestic servant (1886-c.1893/4); hotel chambermaid and waitress (c.1893/4-c.1911).

No details of interests or activities.

A lengthy and rather laboured piece, with much personal, incidental detail. No comments are made on domestic affairs, work arrangements and conditions, or social and political matters. Of little historical value.

Martha, Martin. ‘The Ups and Downs of Life’. Burnett Archive of Working Class Autobiographies, University of Brunel Library, Special Collection Library 1:499

‘Martha Martin’ in John Burnett, David Vincent and David Mayall (eds.) The Autobiography of the Working Class: An Annotated, Critical Bibliography 1790-1945, 3 vols (Brighton: Harvester, 1984, 1987, 1989): 1:499