Emma Hurl (nee Mapperley)

Emma Hurl - A Life Less Ordinary

Emma Hurl, possibly at the time of marriage in 1882, aged 19 years.

The lives of St Ivians from the 1800s and the challenges they faced can seem extraordinary to us. No-one demonstrates that more than Emma Hurl, who sent 5 sons to war and was a boarding-house keeper extraordinaire.

Early life

Born Emma Maria Mapperley in 1863, Emma’s father, Samuel, was a chimney sweep. He kept a 10yr old apprentice to climb up narrow chimney flues. By the time of Emma’s birth the use of child apprentices was outlawed. Samuel had moved on by then. Still operating as a sweep, he’d taken over the licence of a pub on The Waits, The Bell.

Samuel expanded The Bell to become a lodging house. The most impoverished boarders dined with the family. In 1871 there were 18, of which five were tramps. Emma was surrounded by ‘guests’ from far and wide. Three tramps were Irish. One boarder came from New York, USA.

In her teens Emma worked as a dressmaker. Her father continued to work as a chimney sweep. So Emma’s mother, Ann, was kept busy looking after her family and the boarders.

In Green Street, at the back of The Bell, lived Arthur Hurl. Born in Fenstanton, Arthur followed his father’s trade as a carpenter. Emma and Arthur met, fell in love, and married in 1882 when Emma was aged 19yrs.

The Bell on The Waits, 1918. Mr & Mrs Charles Brown, the new licensees.

The Bell

Arthur probably moved into The Bell to be with his wife. When Emma’s mother died in 1889, the licence of The Bell (or The Eight Bells as it was called at the time) was transferred to Arthur. Emma’s father, aged 72 years, was just another lodger in what had become his daughter’s and son-in law’s business.

Emma & Arthur had 3 sons aged 7 years to 1 year, a father and 17 boarders to look after. Besides being a licensed victualler, Arthur still worked as a carpenter. So it might be a bit of an understatement to say Emma was kept busy feeding and tidying for 22 people.

There were 6 sons and a daughter by 1901, aged between 17 years & 1 year. Also 10 lodgers & 1 boarder, plus Emma’s retired father. Lodgers weren’t provided with meals, so the switch made life a little easier for Emma. Little change by 1911, although the grown up children had jobs.

World War I

Emma sent 5 of her 6 sons to fight in WWI. Walter was one of the most prolific letter writers and had several published in the Hunts Post telling of his experiences in war. A German shell landed in his trench and killed Walter and his companions. He is named on the St Ives War Memorial.

The four remaining brothers returned from WWI unscathed. Albert won the Military Medal for bravery in battle and had a letter published describing the circumstances.

Later life

Arthur gave up the The Bell’s licence in 1918. Aged almost in their 60s, in 1921 Emma & Arthur lived in 5 rooms in The Broadway. With them were 2 sons, a daughter-in-law and a grandson.

They lived with son Ernest & family at 38 West Street in 1939. Both were listed as ‘incapacitated OAP’. Emma died in 1940 aged 77 years. Arthur died the following year.