Exhibition: The History of Walton Hall

Jane Sharratt

Jane Sharratt (1849-1902) was born in Windsor. Her father Charles Sharratt, a butcher, married Mary Jacobs, a dressmaker, in 1843 in Brentford, Middlesex.  In 1851 the family were living in Windsor.

Jane, who was unmarried, began working as a lady’s maid to Fanny Maria Pinfold, Lady of Walton Manor, in around 1894.  She died on 2 April 1902, by drowning in the River Ouzel, aged 52. The circumstances of her death were reported in the newspapers following an inquest. Evidence and character analysis was given by other members of the household and by Jane’s aunt Ada Sharratt who lived in London.

Mary Frost, the cook at Walton Hall, had spent the evening with Jane who had noticed nothing unusual about her behaviour. According to the reports once the household had retired to bed: “It appears that the deceased effected her exit by getting through a side-light in the Hall door-way and walked to the river, clad only in a dressing gown and stockings. The night was a bright one and consequently the deceased more easily made her way to the spot where her body was found.”

Her body was discovered by John Brown, the coachman, “…in the water – near the bottom of the Hall grounds”. It was revealed by Dr. Rogers of Newport Pagnell that Jane had suffered from painful headaches for the past two years but had recently seemed better. Following the inquest the jury returned a verdict as ‘Found drowned’ and noted that at the time of her death the deceased was suffering from mental depression. It was strongly suggested that Jane had taken her own life by drowning. Jane was described as “…a bright and affable character with her mistress and household servants who deeply grieve the loss in such a tragic way”.

Jane was buried in Walton churchyard. Her headstone is located on its own on the northeast side of the church. The original stone cross is now missing. In May 1902 probate of £71 was granted to Annie Jane Anderson, wife of Arthur Harry Anderson, who may have been Jane’s relatives.