OUTSIDE THE ASYLUM

Can you help George Marshall Medical Museum with a spot of family history research to find out about some people who were admitted to the Worcester City and County Lunatic Asylum in the 19th century?

Our aim is to share more patients’ stories, and to find out about their lives before admission and (where possible) after discharge.

Selena franks

find out more about selina/selena franks

Selina Franks was admitted to Powick Hospital on May 4th 1859. Selina was diagnosed with puerperal mania, a condition now more commonly known as postpartum psychosis.

Selina was born in 1832 and baptised on September 30th. Her parents Hannah and Benjamin, a labourer, lived in Langley Green, Halesowen. Selina grew up with her older sister Mary and younger sister Elizabeth. On the 1st of December 1850 Selina, who worked as a Nailer, married George Franks, an Agricultural Labourer. Selina was just eighteen and George was eight years her senior. The newlyweds continued to live with Selina’s parents and her younger sister Elizabeth in Oldbury, Worcester, until they could find a place of their own.

Selina and George Franks had their first child James Franks in 1853 and their second, Harriet, two years later. Their third child Charles was baptised on the 6th May 1859, just two days after Selina was admitted to Powick Asylum. At age 27 just after Charles was born Selina was diagnosed with puerperal mania. Selena’s symptoms had been present for one week when she was admitted five weeks after Charles’ birth. Selina was described as “incoherent; noisy; restless and sleepless,” and had tried to jump from a window at home. She also had physical ailments and had a catheter fitted to help her “paralysis of the bladder.”’

Selina stayed in Powick for four more years and in May 1863 staff wrote in her case notes about changes in her condition. They described Selina as being “in a state of acute melancholia” and continuously repeating the same phrase “I ought to have minded the lord.” Selina struggled to sleep and was sedated by staff throughout her stay. Selina continued to have digestion issues and struggled to pass waste which was ultimately the cause of her death. Selina collapsed due to her abdominal pain and on May 25th in 1864 she passed away.

During Selina’s stay at the asylum George Franks continued to raise his three children James, Harriet and Charles at home, Charles sadly had barely any time with his mother. When in 1864 George became a widow, he continued to raise his children as a single father. In 1871 the four Franks still lived together in Oldbury. George continued as a labourer at an Iron Works and James, aged eighteen, and Charles, aged thirteen, worked at the Iron Works with him. Harriet was recorded as a ‘Homemaker at Father’s House.’  

In 1880 James Franks married Mary Thomas on 21st March 1880 in St James, Stafford. James and his new wife moved in with his father George in the early days of their marriage. In 1881 George Franks lived with his son James, James’ new wife Mary and their newborn son Arthur. By 1891 James and Mary had found their own home in Staffordshire for them and Arthur. Even though James was the head of the home, George Franks continued to live with the young family.   

Selina and George’s daughter Harriet Franks passed away at age 46 in September 1909. Selina and George’s son Charles had six children with his wife Harriet, their eldest was named George after his grandfather. Charles was widowed with young children like his father, Harriet passed away in 1901 when Maggie, their youngest was 10.

Research by Alice Fairclough, 2024

To view Selena’s patient records, click here.

Go back to find out about more people who were patients at the asylum.