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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: jakky on Wednesday 15 September 10 15:42 BST (UK)

Title: Greenwich Pensioner
Post by: jakky on Wednesday 15 September 10 15:42 BST (UK)
Hi,

Anyone know what a Greenwich Pensioner was, and this is how it is spelt,


She was a lady.

Thank you,

Jakky
Title: Re: Greenwich Pensioner
Post by: Plummiegirl on Wednesday 15 September 10 15:48 BST (UK)
Just a guess - a retired sailor (probably sickly) living in either the old Seamans Hospital or the workhouse in Greenwich?  Or even some almshouses of some type.

Would I be right in thinking that these are the people who would have been buried in Greenwich Pleasaunce?

Or would it have been the larger graveyard that was attached to St. Alpheges' which was "removed" in Victorian times when railway & new buildings were built.  i.e. around the one way system that I drive round every morning!!
Title: Re: Greenwich Pensioner
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 15 September 10 15:57 BST (UK)
The Greenwich Hospital was a charitable foundation, supported by sixpence a month from the wages of both naval and merchant seamen, as well as by the wages of deserters, unclaimed prize money etc. After the closure of Greenwich Hospital as an institute accepting resident pensioners in 1869, it continued as a fund distributing various pensions.

Stan
Title: Re: Greenwich Pensioner
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 15 September 10 15:59 BST (UK)
The pensions would be to disabled seamen and to the widows and children of seamen who were killed or drowned in the service.
See http://www.grenhosp.org.uk/

Stan
Title: Re: Greenwich Pensioner
Post by: jakky on Tuesday 21 September 10 15:55 BST (UK)
Thank you all,

This was a widow living in Wales, but originally from Liverpool, so soundsabout right.
I do not know where she was buried yet, can't see it being any other than Wales though.

Jakky