Introduction

Female entrepreneurs appear to have played a major if not the main role in the key business category of lodginghouses at early Victorian Bournemouth.

Female entrepreneurs

Women in charge

Although the documentation suggests that men participated in running some lodginghouses, female entrepreneurs perhaps took the lead in operations. Other evidence shows that for two of the males – Robert Kerley, Thomas Lance – their main business consisted of property: development or construction. The 1851 census identified Kerley as a gentleman. His directory listing in 1855 as a lodginghouse keeper seems odd as, during this period, he played a prominent role in Bournemouth civics and as a benefactor. Another property man – Peter Tuck – provides the third example. In 1851, his household included his sister-in-law, a lodginghouse keeper. It seems most plausible that she ran a property he had developed for accommodation. A similar explanation may apply to Kerley and Lance. In later years, Lance’s widow ran a lodginghouse, so perhaps she may have had charge already in the 1850s. Overall, more women than men ran lodginghouses in early Victorian Bournemouth.

An opportunity for single women

For the most part, the female entrepreneurs running lodginghouses lived without male partners, either by circumstance or by choice. The business attracted such widows as Sarah Balls, 39, a native of Lyndhurst. Mrs White, who announced her takeover of 2 Adelaide Villas – ‘large and beautifully situated’ – via newspaper advertising, seems to have had the same status. Spinsters also had charge of lodginghouses, aged in their forties or fifties. Ann Carter came from nearby – Holdenhurst – while both Mary Miles and Mary Ware had migrated from Cranborne. No doubt these two had an acquaintance, but no kinship links have emerged so far. The last three women did appear to earn the description of female entrepreneurs, since they enjoyed longevity in the accommodation business. They had no apparent need of a male presence for support or apparent respectability. Indeed, many of these single women looked elsewhere for support.

Kinship an important support

Sisters, cousins, nieces

Examination of households belonging to single females who kept lodginghouses shows the presence of kinfolk. The widowed Mrs White opened her new accommodation business in the company of her sisters. The advertisement positioned the family group – ‘MRS. WHITE and SISTERS’ (sic) – as a combined business entity, perhaps an important part of the guests’ experience. Ann Carter followed the same route, nieces and nephews populating her establishment in 1851 and 1861. Some of her kin helpers would proceed to have their own Bournemouth lodginghouses two decades later. On balance, these female entrepreneurs took support from other women relatives rather than males. Although the census does not distinguish between temporary visitors and longer-term residents, in some households the same kinfolk appeared resident over consecutive census records. By 1861, the practice appeared to a greater extent. Combinations of sisters, aunts and nieces or pairs of cousins populated the ranks of lodginghouse keepers. 

Kinship as a business component

Kinship often plays a role in business management. In these accounts of early Victorian Bournemouth several examples have appeared. It ran across the building business in particular, networks controlled and operated by males. Lodginghouses offered a way for female entrepreneurs to take advantage of the same system. Kinship offers the benefit of apparent trust by working with known quantities. Access to other members of the kinship nexus, for example a niece’s parents, provides an additional level of insurance to maintain control of the workforce. Perhaps, also, kinship members came cheaper than employees who participated on a commercial basis alone. The employment would come with both board and lodging, so wages could remain minimal. Migration to Bournemouth, a melting pot almost by design, would also provide opportunities to meet potential male partners while remaining under an aunt’s supervision. With Ann Carter, her nieces worked as apprentices, learning the business.

Woman in love

Mary Miles

Before Mrs White and her sisters came to 2 Adelaide Villas, a spinster, Mary Miles, kept the place. The 1851 census listed her in charge there along with a servant of no apparent relation to her. The listing also noted present a boarder, Richard Hardiman, a coachbuilder, aged around 30. Mary came from Cranborne, Richard from Poole. His brothers had brushes with the law, later departing the town. Their mother, Elizabeth, had a bathing machine and perhaps managed the baths. Elizabeth joined her sons in their departure, selling groceries where they settled. Richard, however, stayed, for he had his proposal of marriage accepted by his landlady. The couple’s wedding took place later that year. Despite her age, Mary Hardiman produced a son, born in 1852. Perhaps the choice of the boy’s name – Theophilus – reflected relief at having a child so late, an incident survived by both.

Later troubles

Richard Hardiman would continue his coach business but fell prey to the property speculation that came to many during the late 1860s. He had attempted a substantial development involving several buildings, but his financing collapsed. The properties went on the block as did the couples’ life assurance policies. Other bankrupts left the town, but the Hardimans stayed, the coachbuilding business continuing to help with recovery. By 1881, Theophilus, now almost thirty, had come to play a role in it. The couple passed away a few years later, after which their son did make a break. He emigrated to Canada, perhaps to British Columbia, for his son joined the army there ready for WWI. The Hardimans appear to have continued to take guests during their marriage so, perhaps during their difficult period, Mary, one of Bournemouth’s female entrepreneurs, made a strong contribution to the family commonwealth.

Takeaway

Female entrepreneurs found an opportunity for personal and financial success in running lodginghouses. As a common practice, single women often encouraged kin to live and provide mutual support in the running of their business.

References

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