Susan Woodhouse
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Research by Marjorie Gregson
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Susan Woodhouse was born in 1872 in Newton Heath, Manchester, to Edward M Shepherd, a manufacturing chemist, and his wife, Susannah. The 1891 census describes Susan as a 'teacher of music'. She was married in 1897 in Prestwich, Manchester to William Henry Woodhouse, son of Simeon and Fanny Woodhouse. Simeon was a pawnbroker, as was William.
The couple were still living in Manchester at the time of the 1901 census but by 1907 she was listed as living at 107 Warton Street, Lytham, although her husband, William, was not included at that address. By the 1911 census she was still resident there with William and a live-in domestic servant. The census revealed that prior to 1911 the couple had had two children who died in infancy. Susan was widowed in 1918 at the age of 46. The probate record for William reveals that by then they were living at 20 Cyprus Avenue in Ansdell, Lytham. She continued to live at Cyprus Avenue until she herself died, aged 77, on 24 October 1948. In 1946 Susan donated the above painting, The Long Day Wanes by Henry Meynell Rheam. Susan died in 1948, aged 77, in Lytham Hospital and in her bequest of 29 November 1948 she left an oil painting, Shore Scene with Beached Boat in Rough Water, which she had painted herself. On the reverse is inscribed, 'Copied by Mrs S Woodhouse at Art School, St Annes'. Susan bequeathed a total of 10 paintings. The others, presumably also by Susan Woodhouse, have been untraceable since 1968, having apparently been 'loaned temporarily to the Children's Cottage Homes at Kirkham of the National Assistance Board' on 7 February 1949. 
Shore Scene with Beached Boat in Rough Water by Susan Woodhouse,
Oil, 20 1/4 x 30 in (51.44 x 76.20 cm), Acc. No. 97
In St Paul’s Church, Fairhaven, there is an altar rail dedicated to William and Susan inscribed:
'This altar rail is erected in the memory of William Henry Woodhouse and Susan, his wife, a true and faithful worker for St Paul’s.' |
