Person:Elizabeth Cockell (1)

Elizabeth Cockell was baptised on 29th March 1801 at Luton in Bedfordshire, daughter of John and Ann Cockell. She later claimed to have been been born at Cockernhoe, a hamlet in the parish of Offley but close to the borders with the parishes of King's Walden and Luton. Her parents later had children baptised at King's Walden, so it does seem likely the family lived in that area.

On 17th January 1824, aged 22, Elizabeth married Daniel Bent at Luton. Her residence at the time of marriage was given as King's Walden. Elizabeth and Daniel went on to have four children together between 1826 and 1832. Their first child was born at Breachwood Green in the parish of King's Walden, whilst the other three children were baptised in Luton.

Daniel died whilst Elizabeth was pregnant with their fourth child. He died of an apoplectic fit whilst cutting chaff at work in March 1832. He was 32 years old. Two days after Daniel was buried, Elizabeth also buried her son James. Perhaps there had been some underlying contagious illness in the family. Later in 1832 Elizabeth had her baby, a girl, but she died when only about five months old.

The 1841 census finds Elizabeth living on Dunstable Street in Luton with her daughter Lucy. A Sarah Foster and her daughter Mary were also living with them, along with two people called Mayes. By 1851 Elizabeth, Lucy and the Fosters were still living together, but had moved to Chapel Yard. Elizabeth was described as a parish pauper and plaiter.

Later in 1851, Elizabeth's daughter Lucy married a George Brandon.

Elizabeth spent some time in a lunatic asylum in around 1858. She was released and returned to live with her daughter Lucy in Luton. However, she hanged herself at her daughter's house on 30th December 1858, whilst Lucy was out. She was 57 years old. An inquest was held and the verdict was suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind.

1. ↑ Bedfordshire Family History Society. Luton Parish Register Transcript. (Bedford).

   Baptisms / 1801 / Mar 29 Eliz d Jn Ann Cockell/-ckle

   This baptism has been linked to the Elizabeth who married Daniel Bent on the basis that at their marriage she was said to live in King's Walden parish, and there are baptisms for children of John and Ann Cockle / Cockell at King's Walden from 1805 onwards, suggesting that although Elizabeth was baptised in Luton the family later moved to King's Walden.

2. ↑ England. 1841 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 4; Book 21; Folio 4; Page 2, 6 Jun 1841.

   Address: Western side of Dunstable Street, Luton, Bedfordshire
   Elizabeth Bent, female, 35 [1801-6], Ind[ependent], not born in county
   Sarah Foster, female, 45 [1791-6], Ind[ependent], not born in county
   Elizabeth Mayes, female, 25 [1811-16], Straw Bonnet m[aker], born in county
   Lucy Bent, female, 14 [1826/7], Straw Bonnet m[aker], not born in county
   Mary Foster, female, 7 [1833/4], not born in county
   Ann Mayes, female, 1 [1839/40], born in county

3. ↑ England. 1851 Census Returns for England and Wales. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 1757; Folio 420; Page 3, 30 Mar 1851.

   Address: Chapel Yard, Luton, Bedfordshire
   Elizabeth Bent, head, widow, female, 50 [1800/1], Parish Pauper & Plaiter. b. Cockernhoe, Hertfordshire
   Lucy Bent, daughter, unmarried, female, 24 [1826/7], Bonnet Sewer, b. Breach Wood Green, Hertfordshire
   Sarah Foster, lodger, widow, female, 53 [1797/8], Needlewoman, b. Chatham, Kent
   Mary Foster, lodger, unmarried, female, 16 [1834/5], Bonnet Sewer, b. Luton, Bedfordshire

4. ↑ Deaths index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   d. Elizabeth BENT, March Quarter 1859, Luton Registration District, Volume 3b, page 293, aged 58 [1800/1]

5. ↑ Bedfordshire Times and Independent
   Page 3, Saturday 8 Jan 1859.

   LUTON
   SUICIDE.-An inquest was held on Saturday last, before E. Eagles, Esq., upon the body of a poor widow named Elizabeth Bent. She lodged at the house of Mrs Brandom, her daughter. On Thursday afternoon Mrs. Brandom left her in the house sitting by the fire plaiting, and in about half-an-hour returned, and found her lying on her back. Mrs. Young, a neighbour, was alarmed about two o'clock by a grandchild of the deceased, and on going into Mrs. Brandon's she found the deceased with a rope round her neck, hanging from the bannisters of the staircase. She called on a man who took the poor woman down, but she was dead. It was stated that the deceased had been in the Lunatic Asylum a few months ago. The jury returned a verdict that she had destroyed herself, being in an unsound state of mind at the time.

6. ↑ Luton Times and Advertiser
   Page 4, Saturday 8 Jan 1859.

   Deaths.
   Dec. 30, Luton, Elizabeth Bent, aged 58.