insearchofannwalker

[insearchofannwalker]

Ann Walker's Giving

While Ann Walker was away in the Russian Empire over the winters of 1839 and 1840 she wrote back three times to England to David Booth to give instructions on what to give to her tenants/people she knew. This blog looks at Ann Walker’s giving in these letters and discusses what they contain. Note the bolded names in the letters have been done so by the author to emphasise that there is more…

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Ann Walker sent several notes to Anne Lister when she was 17 years old. Take a look at one of those notes in our new blog “Young Ann’s Note”. Read what Anne Lister wrote in her diary about how Ann signed off!

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Ann's Mourning of Anne

Discover the ways Ann implicitly and explicitly mourned Anne Lister after her death in 1840. Read this new blog by Diane Halford

This blog seeks to show the ways in which Ann Walker explicitly and implicitly mourned her wife after her death in 1840. She would not have been able to grieve in the way we would expect a widow to do so due to the lack of acknowledgment and acceptance of the true nature of their relationship within wider society. These facts are based on primary resources found in the archives. Anne’s Death and…

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The Last Days of Ann Walker: 25th February 1854

On this day, 169 years ago, Ann Walker died at Cliffe Hill. We will remember her and her legacy on this day. This blog discusses what Ann's last days were like as we remember her on the anniversary of her death.

You can also get further details on the final resting place of Ann via this article by the Friends of St Matthew's Church.

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My Dear Miss Walker

You may have wondered if Ann Walker kept in contact with Anne Lister's friends after Anne's death. We actually have three letters from Mrs. Mary Jane (Marsh) Duffin to Ann. These letters are from 1842 and you can read the details on our latest blog post!

Photo and Archive Credit: Letter from MJ Duffin to Ann Walker 16th August 1842 West Yorkshire Archive Service, CalderdaleCN:103/2/59

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Hipperholme Grammar School Clock & the Shibden Hall Connection

Did you know that Ann Walker & Anne Lister subscribed toward the Hipperholme Grammar School clock in 1835?

You can read more about the history of the Hipperholme Grammar School and how it is connected to Ann Walker and Anne Lister here.

Photo ©Lightcliffe and District Local History Society

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Reminder that our auction is still running! Don't miss your chance to donate to an important cause and grab some amazing pieces!

Ann's Legacy Auction

In order to raise money for Brighouse Central Foodbank for our annual fundraising to continue the legacy left in Ann Walker’s will, there are two unique items on auction.

First up we have the Anne Lister Quilt

This is a handmade quilt (with pole sleeve for wall hanging) called “Miss Lister of Shibden Hall” made in California by Gen McGarvey it is 180cm x 180cm.  This is an ideal gift for a fan of Anne Lister and Gentleman Jack.

Secondly we have a Walker Tavern "Pub Sign"

This is a professionally printed square sign (70cm x 70cm on 4mm Correx – lightweight corrugated plastic board) created for the Ann Walker Tavern night at ALBW 2022. 

The Auction began on Friday 2nd December 2022 at 4pm Lightcliffe Time. It will run for TEN days (we originally stated 2 weeks but eBay only has a maximum of 10 days allowed).

All money raised for the items at this auction will be donated to Brighouse Central Foodbank as part of In Search Of Ann Walker’s fundraising in the name of Ann Walker.

Of course you can still donate to our Ann Walker's Legacy Fundraiser at this time as well!

[insearchofannwalker]

Ann's Legacy Auction

In order to raise money for Brighouse Central Foodbank for our annual fundraising to continue the legacy left in Ann Walker’s will, there are two unique items on auction.

First up we have the Anne Lister Quilt

This is a handmade quilt (with pole sleeve for wall hanging) called “Miss Lister of Shibden Hall” made in California by Gen McGarvey it is 180cm x 180cm.  This is an ideal gift for a fan of Anne Lister and Gentleman Jack.

Secondly we have a Walker Tavern "Pub Sign"

This is a professionally printed square sign (70cm x 70cm on 4mm Correx – lightweight corrugated plastic board) created for the Ann Walker Tavern night at ALBW 2022. 

The Auction began on Friday 2nd December 2022 at 4pm Lightcliffe Time. It will run for TEN days (we originally stated 2 weeks but eBay only has a maximum of 10 days allowed).

All money raised for the items at this auction will be donated to Brighouse Central Foodbank as part of In Search Of Ann Walker’s fundraising in the name of Ann Walker.

Of course you can still donate to our Ann Walker's Legacy Fundraiser at this time as well!

[insearchofannwalker]

New Find: Sussex House and Ann Walker

It is known Ann was at Terrace House -a private asylum- in 1843/44. Thanks to a recent discovery, we now know Ann was at another private asylum, Sussex House in April 1845. It was run by Dr Forbes Winslow, an eminent doctor of the time. Read all about here in our newest blog!

Above source: Sussex House (date unknown) ©London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Local Studies/London Metropolitan Archives

At In Search Of Ann Walker we are constantly looking for new information to tell the full story of Ann Walker. Several trips to the National Archives in London have helped us form a clearer picture of what happened to Ann after Anne Lister died. As a reminder, we are running out fundraiser in Ann Walker's name for the next month!

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Ann Walker's Legacy: Continuing the Charitable Tradition

It’s that time of the year where we launch the annual fundraiser for a local foodbank in the name of Ann Walker - carrying on her legacy from her will. We'll be posting during the fundraiser to show you new finds, blogs and items for auction! Please donate here and learn more about the Walkers' fundraising legacy!

Image source: St Matthew’s charitable accounts, West Yorkshire Archive Service, Wakefield, WDP47

Why do we raise funds in Ann Walker‘s name? Our kick-off blog for this year's appeal will tell you about Ann and her uncle’s wills and her charity which ran until the 1970’s.

In the spirit of the Walkers’ bequests and in Ann Walker’s name we are raising money for the Brighouse Foodbank until Christmas Eve in order to honour her legacy. This foodbank is about 2.5 miles from Cliffe Hill, Ann Walker’s last residence. You can donate directly here, all funds go directly to the foodbank.

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Introducing: In Search of Ann Walker (on Tumblr!)

Hello everyone, we are In Search of Ann Walker! We are a collaborative group of people, interested in bringing to light details of Ann Walker’s life, some of which are buried deep in the archives. Our aim is to bring Ann Walker out of the shadows so she can act as an inspiration for others. We are also focused on building a lasting legacy for Ann, ensuring she finds her rightful place in history.

Our work includes transcription, historical research, archival analysis, and education on the life of Ann Walker. We are a volunteer-run group and are passionate about spreading the word on who Ann was.

Some of our projects include our Ann Walker Booklet detailing a summary of her life, Comparing the Ann(e)s a side-by-side comparison on diary entries by Ann Walker and Anne Lister, and Common Myths Busted where we discuss misinformation about Ann Walker and the truth about her as we know it.

If you're a fan of archives, historical English research, LGBTQIA+ history, and of course Gentleman Jack and Anne Lister's diaries, then we think you'll like what we have to share. You're welcome to follow along as we continue our journey #SearchingForAnn.