One Place Study, 8 St. John's Square - Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin and Helen Coleridge Davis

8 St. John's Square, Wakefield © Ancestral Enquiries 2025

Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin and Helen Coleridge Davis were only residents of 8 St. John's Square for a short period around 1911. However, Mabel went on to have a massive impact in women's policing, social work, child welfare and community work. This blog is mostly about Mabel but mentions Helen on occasions.

Mabel was born on 26th September 1876 at 3 Brunswick Square, Bristol to William Henry Cowlin and Annie Cowlin (nee Scull). Mabel's father William Henry was a builder in a family business founded by Mabel's grandfather, William Cowlin in 1834. One of the contracts undertaken by Mabel's brother, Conrad Cowlin was the rebuilding of Government buildings in Jamaica after a major earthquake in 1907 (1 & 2).

Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin 1876 Birth, Bristol, Gloucestershire © General Register Office (1)

The map below shows Brunswick Square where Mabel was born and St. Paul Portland Square, Bristol where she lived when she was baptised on the 25th February 1877. Mabel appears to have lived in three residential squares when St. John's Square, Wakefield was included (3 & 4).

Brunswick Square & Portland Square, St. Paul's, Bristol, 1885 © Ordnance Survey (3)

The 1881 Census shows that Mabel grew up in a large household with her parents, three old sisters, two older brothers, three younger sisters and two domestic servants. The scale of her father's business was revealed when it was confirmed he employed 75 men and three boys (5).

Mabel's parents William Henry and Annie had married on the 23rd October 1866 at St. Clement in Bristol (6).

By 1891 the family had moved to Westbury on Trym which is now a suburb of north Bristol. The two oldest boys William and Francis were working as building contractors. There was an additional younger brother Conrad born in 1883 (7). A check of the General Register Office online indexes at (8) confirms there were nine children in total.

Mabel attended Redland High School, Bristol and on 17th November 1892 the Clifton Society newspaper reported her Lower Certificate results where she attained first class in English History and second class in French, Arithmetic, English, Mathematics (additional), Mechanics and Physics (9)

By 1901 Mabel had left Bristol and moved to Bakewell, Derbyshire and was working as an assistant mistress at a school. The head of the household of the family Mabel stayed with Charles Mansford was the headmaster at a grammar school (10).

By 1911 Mabel was living at 8 St. John's Square and was working at a High School Mistress at the Wakefield Girls' High School. Interestingly living with Mabel was Helen Davis, age 30 from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Both Mabel and Helen were listed with a Particulars as to Marriage of Single but Helen's Relationship to Head of Family was described a Partner. This suggests they may have possibly been in a same sex relationship. However, it is clear from the research undertaken that they went onto collaborate with a very close working partnership throughout their lives (11).

Wakefield Girls' High School had opened in 1878 and Mabel and Helen worked under the leadership of headmistress Gertrude McCroben who was one of the pivotal figures in the history of school being headmistress from 1894 to 1921 (12).

The Wakefield Girls High School Jubilee booklet confirms that Mabel worked at the school from 1907 to 1913 and Helen from 1907 to 1911. Therefore, it may be possible they met when they joined the school in 1907 (13).

Helen's departure was recorded in the Wakefield High School Review from 1911 (14)

Mabel's departure was recorded in the Wakefield High School Review from 1913 where it states she left in July to take up social science work with Miss Davis in London (15).

According to Mabel's obituary from 1960 Mabel entered the London School of Economics in 1913 and gained one of the first diplomas in social studies (16).

The Wakefield High School Review from 1914 mentioned that Miss Cowlin had sent a large collection of books for Junior Forms when she left (17).

The Wakefield High School Review from 1915 mentioned that Miss Davis and Miss Cowlin were working together in Liverpool, chiefly in connection with the S.S.F.A. (18).

In January 1915 Mabel started working for the Liverpool Women Police Patrols which had been set up in November 1914. The Patrols began in conjunction with the National Council of Women before being established as an independent body funded by a grant from the city council. They were separate from the city's Police Force and a voluntary organisation. Mabel became the Director of of the Women Patrols and Training School (19 & 20)

The Patrols were concerned about deterring young women from loitering about in areas popular with servicemen and preventing teenage couples from courting in parks. They did not have the power to arrest people and did not become part of Liverpool's official police force until 1948. The only women working for Liverpool's police force at that time were "uniformed women working privately" (20)

In 1928 Cowlin appeared before the MacMillan Committee and was described as a "pioneer". She was particularly concerned with solicitation and saw it as a moral rather than criminal offence (19).

In December 1917 Mabel Cowlin and Helen Davis went to Colwyn Bay, North Wales where Mabel advocated the establishment of properly supervised recreation centres where males and females could meet as the influence of religion declined. Here they gave advice to those in Colwyn Bay who were considering forming a similar Comrades' Club (21).

North Wales Weekly News, 13th December 1917.

Transcription

COMBATING AN EVIL

A Comrades' Club Started at Colwyn bay.

A meeting to consider the formation of a Comrades' Club was held on Friday at the Metropole Hotel, Colwyn Bay, when a large and representative audience listened with great interest to Miss Cowlin and Miss Davis, of Liverpool.

The Chairman (Dr Lilian Blake) received many letters regretting absence. Amongst other wishing success to the enterprise were Lady Colwyn, Miss Crosfield, Mrs. Horton, Madame Riviere, Mrs. Gamble, Mrs. Hammond, and the Rev. and Mrs. W. T. Tutton.

Miss M. H. Cowlin, the organiser of the Liverpool Women Patrols, advocated the establishment of properly supervised recreation centres where young people of both sexes might meet. The effect of our social and industrial conditions upon young people have been to weaken parental authority, religion seemed to have little vital hold upon them; instead of "self knowledge, self reverence and self control," licence and liberty seemed to be accepted by the young as a short cut to a "sovereign power" that must be disastrous for us all.

Young people nowadays were called upon to take part in an independent life at a different age, and they sought expression for their independence where they could get it with least restraint, outside the home, outside the ordinary club. They needed fun, they needed society, they needed each other. These were simple facts of human nature. We should satisfy these needs normally and they would not seek the abnormal and the unnatural. The picture palace, the cheap theatre, and the dancing hall were meeting their needs more than we in our religious and social institutions were meeting them.

At this time Helen Coleridge Davis was running Seaforth Social Club, Liverpool for men and girls with the main activities being dancing, games and music (21).

It was clear that Mabel and Helen were setting out on a life mission to try to help protect young people and enrich their lives.

North Wales Weekly News, 13th December 1917.

Transcription

In Seaforth the experiment had been made and a club started for soldiers, sailors, civilians and girls. They tried to look at the problem from the point of view of those they were trying to help-it was their club, and they were made to feel that its good reputation was in their own hands. The workers were present, not so much to conduct the club as to make it possible for the members to conduct it. The success of the club had fully justified its existence.

Miss H. C. Davis , leader of the Seaforth Social Club, spoke on the practical working of such club. The Seaforth Club was started for men and girls, and each came independently of the other . All members paid a penny a night. No references were asked for, but all were put on a month's probation before being enrolled on the permanent register. The chief activities of the Club were dancing, games, music. Very few entertainments from outside were provided, the members preferring to get up their own concerts.

The meeting was then opened for discussion, and it was unanimously agreed that a Comrades' Club could be started in Colwyn Bay. The following committee was elected. Mrs. Lord, Mrs. Sayer Ellis, Miss E. M. Charnley, Miss Spencer, Rev. F. J. Briggs, Rev. J. H Howard; Miss Bates, secretary; Dr Lilian Blake and Miss E. Wood, treasurers. Subscriptions or donations will be gratefully received by any members of the committee.

In November 1918 Mabel was a patrol organiser and wrote a letter jointly with Edith E. Maciver who was the Chairman Women Patrols Committee requesting that women volunteer to for patrol work and contribute towards community work (22).

Liverpool Daily Post, 2nd November 1918.

Transcription

LIVERPOOL WOMEN PATROLS

Sir. Now. when so much is being said of the condition of our streets may we appeal through your paper for women to volunteer for patrol work?

It is time we criticised less and did more. If the conduct of a section of the community frequenting the streets is bad it is up to the women of Liverpool who really care for the good reputation of their city to go out to help make things better. The preventative and protective work that is needed is essentially women's work. If more women were determined by their presence and practical effort to raise the standard of conduct in even the worse centre of character of the streets would soon be entirely changed for the better. It is generally admitted that the Women's Patrols have done excellent service for the past three years, but they need to be multiplied many times over by women who can bring a broad, intelligent human interest to bear, on the problem of youth and the streets.

We hope and trust that women, who are not shrink from work on behalf of the community, which may be involve some sacrifice, but which, if undertaken in the right spirit, will have results that are more than worth while . Yours, &c

EDITH E. MACIVER, Chairman Women Patrols Committee.

MABEL H. COWLIN, Patrol Organiser.

5 Cases-street, Liverpool.

The 1921 Census showed that Mabel and Alice were living together as joint Head of Household at 6 Walmer Road, Waterloo, Liverpool. Mabel's occupation was Director of Liverpool Police Patrol and Training School for Women Police. She was employed by the Committee of Liverpool Women's Patrols at 5 Cases Street, Liverpool. Helen was a university tutor, employed by School of Social Studies at Liverpool University at Bedford Street, Liverpool. Helen was also a leader at Seaforth Social Club, employed by the committee of the club at Crosley Road, Seaforth. They had one General Domestic Servant (23).

An article in the Western Daily Press from the 5th December 1927 suggested that Mabel appeared to have left Liverpool and moved back to Bristol where she was an honorary secretary of the Free Church Council helping with the centenary commemoration of social reformer, Josephine Butler (24)

From 1929 onwards Mabel started giving a lot of talks on the subject of child welfare. One example from 22 March 1929 was to the Swindon and North Wiltshire Shelter for Girls. In her talk Mabel talked about how fourteen to eighteen year old girls were receiving the wrong type of freedom. More religious training was required in the home. She advocated that with shorter hours of labour and longer hours of leisure it was going to be a national disaster if the right use of leisure was not taught (25).

North Wilts Herald, 22nd March 1929.

Transcription

Swindon and North Wilts Shelter for Girls

RESCUE WORK

An address relative to the work of rescue among young women was given by Miss Mabel Cowlin, of Bristol, at the annual meeting of the Swindon and North Wilts Shelter for Girls, at the Swindon Town Hall on Monday.

Mrs. E. M. Waugh, of Chiseldon, presided, and others present included Preb. W. B. Pitt, the Rev. E. G. Mortimer , Messrs. A. Ashford, Colin W. Smith (chairman of the North Wilts Congregational Union), B. parsons and Miss Cowlin.

Mrs. Waugh said the report showed what good work the Shelter was doing. The Shelter had many friends and helpers, but they wanted more.

The annual report stated that 1928 had proved the usefulness of the Shelter, 44 women and girls having passed through , some of whom stayed for only a night or two, and others for longer periods. The Shelter had also been in touch with many outside cases.

Cause For Thankfulness

"Girls come to us from various sources- the police, clergy, and churchworkers, police court missionary, and some on the advice of friends," added the report. "Some have been placed out in situations, others passed on to training homes, and a few have been returned to their relations and friends."

North Wilts Herald, 22nd March 1929.

Transcription

Miss Cowlin, who was formerly director of the Liverpool Women's Police Patrol, gave an address on rescue work particularly referring to Liverpool. They ought to do all they could to support the work of the shelter. In solving the great problems of social morality she wanted them not to forget that they all had their part to play.

Open Door.

Romance and freedom were a desire of the young people today, they were full of aspirations for the highest and best, but they had to have the right kind of freedom. They must let the Shelter always be the open door. The Shelter was a house of opportunity. It was an economic factor that children between the years of 14 and 18 were morally unbalanced and irresponsible, yet in many homes they were looked to for support. The girl who did not get on with the factory or workshop was often very little thought of in the home. It was very hard on many who had to go out to work to have to give up all the money they earned. The drabness of their lives had often made girls go astray. They got very difficult cases within a home which could not be disposed of at a moment's notice. What was the best to be done to the girls was not found out in a day. They wanted a more enlightened outlook in regard to rescue work and they had to give the girls some real idea of what home life meant.

Many of the girls got the wrong type of freedom. In many cases it was not freedom but leisure, and the right thing in such cases could only be done by discipline. What was wanted in homes amongst the children was unity and not uniformity. More definite religious training in the home was required today. People had been too haphazard in the right use of leisure and that as going to be one of the big problems of the future. Today people had shorter hours of labour and longer hours for leisure. The latter instead of being a national asset was going to be a national disaster if the right use of leisure was not taught.

In July 1931 Mabel gave a talk about the work undertaken at a refuge home at Devizes, Wiltshire (26)

Wiltshire Times & Trowbridge Advertiser, 4th July 1931.

Transcription

MORAL AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE

By the kindness of Major and Mrs. Forster, an "at home" was held at Elmscross on Thursday afternoon, when members of the local branch of the Salisbury Diocesan Association for Moral and Spiritual Welfare, attended in good number . The meeting was held expressly to hear an address by Miss Mabel Cowlin, late head of the Women's Police, Liverpool, on the work carried out at the refuge home in Devizes. Her address was extremely interesting and later at the invitation of Major and Mrs. Forster, tea was partaken. The Chair was taken by the Hon. Lady Gatacre.

A report from the Western Daily Press from 12th November 1932 confirmed Mabel was honorary secretary of the Bristol branch at the Bristol branch of the National Council of Women. Mabel and Helen had both spoken at the National Council of Women conference (27). The National Council of Women researches where change was most needed and challenges government at the highest level in the quest to empower all women across the world (28).

In October 1933 Mabel whose address was now confirmed as Sneyd Park, near Redland, Bristol was the principal speaker at a Wells and District Welfare Association meeting. She was described as giving an inspiring address where she said that youth should be given the chance of a complete, balanced and controlled life. She said that mental instability was a frequent cause of immorality and that self control and discipline of the three-fold Nature- body, mind and spirit was the goal we should strive to reach. She also talked about the new Children's Act of 1933 by which no child under eight should be brought before any court except for its own protection and no person under seventeen may be brought before an adult court (29).

Wells Journal, 6th October 1933.

Transcription

WELLS AND DISTRICT WELFARE ASSOCIATION

SUCCESSFUL GENERAL MEETING

The principal speaker was Miss Mabel Cowlin, of Sneyd Park, who gave a most inspiring address, appealing for Youth to be given its chance of a complete, balanced, controlled life. She pleaded for a constructive policy in attacking social evils as in fighting disease. Welfare work needed courage on the part of the worker, as to many it only repelled, yet the work was of absorbing interest and its value to the community was incalculable. Our duty was to help the weaker brethren to maintain the moral standard, to improve home conditions where those were adverse, or, if necessary to place in a more wholesome environment those who were in danger of coming to grief. We should not dwell on the evil - that was obvious - but follow our Lord's example and appeal to the good latent in all. Mental instability was a frequent cause of immorality, and a great and sustained effort was being made to study, and, as far as may be, to remove its causes. Self control and discipline of the three fold Nature - body, mind and spirit - here was the goal we should strive to reach. The speaker also dealt briefly but lucidly with the new Children's Act of 1933, the full provisions of which come into operation next month. By this no child under eight may be brought before any Court except for its own protection, and no young persons under seventeen may be brought before an Adult Court.

Mabel's influence was clear by November 1934 when as honorary secretary of the Women Police and Patrols Sectional Committee of the National Council of Women she made an address to the Coventry branch of the National Council of Women which led to a resolution being sent to Coventry City Council for women police to be added to the City Police Force. Mabel stated that women police were desirable in cases of offences committed against women and children. She went onto state that police matrons did good work but did not have the same powers as police officers. Women police must be given full powers (25).

Coventry Herald, 16th November 1934.

Transcription

WOMEN POLICE FOR COVENTRY?

RESOLUTION TO BE SENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL

"FORCE NOT WHOLLY EFFICIENT WITHOUT THEM"

A resolution is to be sent to Coventry City Council by the Coventry branch of the National Council of Women urging them to recommend to the Coventry Watch Committee that women police should be added to the City Police Force.

This decision was taken on Monday night, following an address to the branch on "Women's Police," by Miss Mabel H. Cowlin, for 12 years director of woman police patrols in Liverpool, and at present honorary secretary of the Women Police and Patrols Sectional Committee of the National Council of Women.

Coventry Herald, 16th November 1934.

Transcription

FULL POWERS NEEDED

The principal part of the work of the police, said Miss Cowlin, took place behind the scenes, and it was primarily for work behind the scenes that they were seeking women police. Where investigations and home inquiries had to be made by the police in regard to women, girls or children, it would be better done by women. Women police were particularly desirable in cases of offences committed against women and children. Where a female or child had to make a statement to the police, a women had to be present. That made the difficulties all the greater, particularly for the male who had to take the statement, for mixed company made the task all the harder. In such cases the mental strain imposed on the female or child - whether victim or offender - was tremendous, and ought not be permitted. It was sometimes pleaded by women that they would sooner make statements to a man than a woman. Most women who said that were a danger to themselves, and often a temptation to young constables. It was one of the strongest reasons for wanting women police. Police matrons did good work, but they had not the same powers as police officers. A woman had to be with a police officer in escort work concerning females and children, thus adding to the expense of this work. To give the best results, women police must have full powers . Experience proved that if they had not the full advantages could not be obtained.

The speaker went onto say that valuable work could be done by uniformed women police in streets and public places. There was no need for repression or violence. Their presence, their being something and not necessarily their doing something, acted as a good influence, as experience in places where women police had been used showed. Streets must be the meeting places of young people and they should be able to get the best out of streets and not the worst.

In April 1937 Mabel attended the Provincial Policewomen's Conference in Leicester. Mabel wrote an article in which she stated it was unfair that male officers had to take statements from women offenders, make intimate inquiries in such cases as infanticide, watching female prisoners, attempted suicides and searching women's homes and lodgings. Mabel went onto state that there were 142 Police forces out of 181 in England and Wales without women police. Mabel went on to give reasons why so many police forces had no women officers which was often because of dilemmas of the Chief Constables. This was reported in the Leicester Evening Mail and Leicester Daily Mercury (31 & 32).

Leicester Evening Mail, 16th April 1937.

Transcription

Policewomen

I have been handed a most interesting article, written by Miss Mabel Cowlin, one of the leaders of women police in this country and who visited Leicester for the Provincial Policewomen's Conference, held recently.

Miss Cowlin heads her article. "Women police - the next step." She emphasises the value of police women in taking statements from women offenders. "It is eminently unfair and unsuitable to give this task to a man." she writes, "as, indeed, it is to ask him to make intimate inquiries in such cases as infanticide, watching female prisoners and attempted suicides, searching women's homes and generally dealing with women and children in their own homes or in police courts. She points out that, in spite of the proved value of policewomen, there are still 142 police forces in England and Wales without them.

Lack of Recruits

One of the main reasons , Miss Cowlin feels, why more police women are not appointed is the fact that the local authorities and chief constables know how vitally important it is that really efficient officers should undertake this work, and it is difficult to find suitable recruits.

The Western Daily Press reported on the 21st August 1937 that Mabel was one of four women elected as a magistrate of the Bristol bench. (33).

An article in the Western Daily Press from 27th September 1937 confirmed Mabel was chairman of the Holiday House Committee and dealt with the practical side in setting up a vacation home for professional and business girls at Blagdon Hill near, Bristol called "Fairways" a holiday house of the Bristol Wayfarers' Club (34)

An article from South Wales Daily Post from 30th March 1938 where Mabel was chief guest at the Swansea Soroptimist Club's annual dinner, Swansea reveals the extent of Mabel's activities.

• Chairman of Children's Work of the Diocesan Association for Moral Welfare.

• Member of the children's panel in courts.

• Vice president of the Bristol Association of Girls' Clubs.

• Holiday house in Blagdon for professional and business women.

• Member of the Child Guidance Committee.

• President of the Bristol branch for the National Council of Women (35).

According to her obituary Mabel had been the president of the National Council of Women in 1935 (18).

A photo of Mabel from the Swansea Soroptimist Club annual dinner was published in the Herald of Wales, 9th April 1938 with Mabel sitting on the front row third from left (36).

By March 1939 Mabel spoke about a new venture called Elm House in Cotham, Bristol that provided emergency shelter for stranded girls for a temporary period for protection, welcome and guidance. There were a lack of facilities in Bristol for girls in need of help. Elm House needed more funds. Helen Davis was also at the meeting and thanked Mrs Foster Robinson for her interest in the work and for the hospitality at her residence of St. Vincent's Hall, Clifton, Bristol (37).

The 1939 Register taken 29th September 1939 found Mabel living with her elder brother Francis Cowlin at 1 Ivywell Road, Bristol where she was listed as a voluntary social worker and old age pensioner. Clearly a well off family the three occupants had assistance from four people with a parlour maid, housemaid, cook and a between maid. Helen Davis was living in a separate location (38).

The 1939 Register shows Helen Davis living at 106 Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol. which was less than one mile from where Mabel lived. Helen's occupation was a retired organising secretary of a diocesan association and now a voluntary worker (39).

In January 1940 the Western Daily Press reported that Mabel did a talk at St. George's Parish Hall, Hotwell Road, Bristol about the need for a non-sectarian club for young men and women with a simple canteen, organised socials and provision for rest, reading and writing. This would combat the sufferings caused by loneliness (40).

Mabel was vice-chairman of the Bristol Council of Social Service from its inception in 1940 until 1956 (18).

In June 1943 Mabel wrote a letter to the Western Daily Press in her capacity as vice-chairman of Bristol Council of Social Service pleading with those who have rooms to let to accept married couples with children because landlords and landladies were refusing them accommodation (41).

Western Daily Press, 8th June 1943

Transcription

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

BAN ON CHILDREN

Sir, - Many cases have recently come to the notice of the Bristol Council of Social Service in which young married people have found themselves in serious difficulties because of the refusal of landlords and landladies to let accommodation either furnished or unfurnished, to married couples with children. At this time the country is gravely concerned about the welfare of its children. One of the main principles of the Beveridge Plan is to make it easier for married couples to bring up larger families. The future well-being of the nation depends upon the maintenance of the population and the improvements of its quality. All of our schemes will fall to the ground unless they are supported by the ordinary citizen. it is the duty of all of us to do all we can to help parents with young children, and not put difficulties in their way. We do appeal to the public spirit of those who have rooms to let to accept married couples, although we realise the difficulties that are often involved.

MABEL H. COWLIN

Vice-Chairman

Bristol Council of Social Service

4 Berkeley Square. Bristol. 8.

In March 1949 Mabel wrote to the Western Daily Press in her capacity as chairman of York House (Bristol Rhode Island) Hostel confirming that it had accommodated over 30,000 women and children since 1941 and was seeking to exchange it for a house with eight or more bedrooms to meet this urgent and growing demand (42).

Western Daily Press, 31st March 1949.

Transcription

York House Hostel

Sir. - Much voluntary help was given in the war years to the pioneer work to meet emergency needs . Bristol (Rhode island) very generously enabled an 'ad hoc' committee of the Bristol Council of Social Services to buy York House, York Road, near the station, as a hostel for Service and civilian women and children in transit. Over 30,000 women and children have been accommodated it since 1941. The post-war need is pimarily for residential accommodation for young women workers in industry. The committee feel obliged to secure a larger house to meet this urgent and growing demand, and at the same time to reserve beds for bona-fide women travellers needing emergency accommodation at a comparatively small charge. We appeal to anybody who would be willing to effect an exchange with us or who would sell a home with eight or more bedrooms near a good bus route? York House is equipped with every convenience for use as a small hostel or an offices and is in a most central position for buses and trains.

MABEL COWLIN, Chariman, York House (Bristol Rhode Island) Hostel.

By November 1949 another newspaper article in the Western Daily Press confirmed that some 40,000 women and children had passed through York House hostel near Bristol Temple Meads Station in eight years. These included service women, land girls and teachers. Mabel paid tribute to the warden for her work (43).

As Mabel approached her mid 70's the newspaper articles she appeared in dwindled. In November 1951 she was pictured at the Bristol Business and Professional Women's Club's autumn fair which she opened (44)

Bristol Evening Post, 12th November 1951. © British Newspaper Archive & Find My Past (44)

An article from the Bristol Evening Post, 27th April 1957, confirmed that Mabel Cowlin a leading Bristol social worker would receive an honorary degree at Bristol University on 10th July 1957 alongside four others prominent individuals in Bristol and West Country life (45).

Mabel's death on the 7th June 1960 at the age of 83 was reported in the Bristol Evening Post on the 8th June 1960 with a glowing obituary of her remarkable life. The obituary uses the words 'pioneer' and 'legend' when describing Mabel. Professor H. D. F. Kitte paid tribute stated "Those who have worked with her in these many activities all speak with admiration of her humanity, knowledge, sagacity, energy, charm and wit." (18, 46 & 47).

Bristol Evening Post, 8th June 1960. © British Newspaper Archive & Find My Past (18)

The Index of Wills of Administration show that Mabel of Netherdown, The Avenue, Sneyd Park, Bristol left effects of £30,597 15s 10d (48).

Mabel's will was five pages in length. In her will she states "I give (free of duty) to my friend Helen Coleridge Davis of 106 Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol any furniture or books of mine in her keeping at the date of my death."

She left Helen Coleridge Davis a weekly sum of five pounds. If Helen survived Mabel by more than three months she would receive an additional annuity of two hundred and forty pounds for life to be paid in equal quarterly instalments.

The Missionary Settlement for University Women, the Bristol Council for Social Service and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) were to each receive two hundred and fifty pounds (49).

Helen Coleridge Davis died between January and March quarter, 1969 in the Bristol Registration District (50).

There was no doubt that Mabel and Helen were dedicated to the cause of welfare of young people, particularly the safety and welfare of young women. Mabel appears to have been in the limelight more. Mabel seems to have carried out a significant amount of voluntary work and was fortunate to come from a family who appeared to be financially secure. Rather than rest on her laurels and have a comfortable life she pushed, campaigned, organised, communicated and dedicated her life admirably to protecting the welfare of young women and making life better for those less fortunate than herself.

Sources:

1. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin Birth. General Register Office. Bristol, Vol 6a, Page 24.

2. The Clevedon Mercury and Courier, 3rd August 1940, page 4. British Newspaper Archive. Digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Clevedon Mercury 03 August 1940 Page 4 | findmypast.co.uk

3. Ordnance Survey Map, Bristol, 25.344 x 38.016 Inch, Gloucestershire LXXII.13.11. Surveyed 1881, Published 1884. Digital image, National Library of Scotland. View map: Ordnance Survey, OS town plan - Bristol sheet LXXII.13.11 - Ordnance Survey Town Plans of England and Wales, 1840s-1890s

4. Mabel Cowlin Baptism, Parish Baptism Register, St. Paul, Bristol, 1877. page 188. Archive reference: P/ST P/R/1D. Bristol Archives. Transcript created by Find My Past using the original records held at the Bristol Archives. Record Transcription: Gloucestershire Baptisms | findmypast.co.uk

5. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin, 1881 England Census, Archive reference: RG11; RD Bristol; Sub district St. Paul; Piece No. 2471; Folio 77; Page 17; Schedule 671, digital image, Ancestry. England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1881 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk

6. William Henry Cowlin & Annie Scull Marriage, Parish Marriage Register, 1866. Archive reference: P/St.C/R/2/a). Transcript created by Find My Past from family Search. Original records at Bristol Archives. Record Transcription: Gloucestershire Marriages | findmypast.co.uk

7. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin. 1891 England Census, Archive reference: RG12; RD Barton Regis; Sub district Westbury; ED16; Piece No. 1988; Folio 149; Page 3; Schedule 16, digital image, Ancestry. England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1891 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk

8. General Register Office. General Register Office - Online Indexes - Search the GRO Online Indexes

9. Clifton Society, 17th November 1892, page 10. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Clifton Society 17 November 1892 Page 10 | findmypast.co.uk

10. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin. 1901 England Census, Archive series: RG13; RD Bakewell; Sub district Bakewell; ED3; Piece No. 3262; Folio 54; Page 11; Schedule 62, digital image, Ancestry. England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1901 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk

11. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin & Helen Coleridge Davis. 1911 England Census, RG14; RD504; SD4; ED1; Piece No. 27377; Schedule 161, digital image, Ancestry. England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1911 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk

12. Gertrude McCroben, Forgotten Women of Wakefield. Gertrude McCroben – The Forgotten Women of Wakefield

13. Wakefield Girls School Jubilee, 1878-1928, Records of the Past, The Staff, page 39 Jubilee_Bookocr.pdf

14. Wakefield High School Review, 1911, page 3. Wakefield Grammar School Foundation Online Community

15. Wakefield High School Review, 1913, page 3. Wakefield Grammar School Foundation Online Community

16. Bristol Evening Post, 8th June 1960, page 17. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Bristol Evening Post 08 June 1960 Page 17 | findmypast.co.uk

17. Wakefield High School Review, 1914, page 11. Wakefield Grammar School Foundation Online Community

18. Wakefield High School Review, 1915, page 3. Wakefield Grammar School Foundation Online Community

19. The “Gateway to Adventure”: Women, Urban Space and Moral Purity in Liverpool c. 1908-c. 1957. 2012, page 80. A thesis submitted to the University of Manchester for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the Faculty of Humanities by Samantha Caslin-Bell. The Gateway to Adventure - Final Thesis

20. Crime & Policing, Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, Dr Samantha Caslin, University of Liverpool. Crime and Policing | University of Liverpool, Centre for Digital Humanities, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,Research Projects, Sisters of Mersey, Crime and Policing | Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences | University of Liverpool

21. North Wales Weekly News, 13th December 1917, page 6. British Newspaper Archive. Digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. North Wales Weekly News 13 December 1917 Page 6 | findmypast.co.uk

22. Liverpool Daily Post, 2nd November 1918, page 7. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Liverpool Daily Post 02 November 1918 Page 7 | findmypast.co.uk

23. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin & Helen Coleridge Davis, 1921 Census, Archive reference: RG15; Piece No. 17504; Schedule 264, digital image, Ancestry. England, Wales & Scotland Census. Original held by The National Archives, Kew, London. 1921 England Census - Ancestry.co.uk

24. Western Daily Press, 5th December 1927, page 7. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 05 December 1927 Page 7 | findmypast.co.uk

25. North Wiltshire Herald, 22nd March 1929, page 5. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. North Wilts Herald 22 March 1929 Page 5 | findmypast.co.uk

26. Wiltshire Times & Trowbridge Advertiser, 4th July 1931, page 12. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser 04 July 1931 Page 12 | findmypast.co.uk

27. Western Daily Press, 12th November 1932, page 13. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 12 November 1932 Page 13 | findmypast.co.uk

28. National Council of Women of Great Britain. Home - National Council of Women

29. Wells Journal, 6th October 1933, page 1. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Wells Journal 06 October 1933 Page 1 | findmypast.co.uk

30. Coventry Herald, 16th November 1934, page 13. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Coventry Herald 16 November 1934 Page 13 | findmypast.co.uk

31. Leicester Evening Mail, 16th April 1937, page 8. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Leicester Evening Mail 16 April 1937 Page 8 | findmypast.co.uk

32. Leicester Daily Mercury, 16th April 1937, page 17. British Newspaper Archive. Digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Leicester Daily Mercury 16 April 1937 Page 17 | findmypast.co.uk

33. Western Daily Press, 21st August 1937, page 7. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 12 November 1932 Page 13 | findmypast.co.uk

34. Western Daily Press, 27th September 1937, page 5. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 27 September 1937 Page 5 | findmypast.co.uk

35. South Wales Daily Post, 30th March 1938, page 6. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. South Wales Daily Post 30 March 1938 Page 6 | findmypast.co.uk

36. Herald of Wales, 9th April 1938, page 9. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Herald of Wales 09 April 1938 Page 9 | findmypast.co.uk

37. Western Daily Press, 14th March 1939, page 8. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 14 March 1939 Page 8 | findmypast.co.uk

38. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin, 1939 Register. Archive reference RG101; ED: OAUA; Schedule No. 196; Sub Schedule No. 3; Item No. 16; Line No. 3. digital image, Ancestry. Original held The National Archives, Kew, London. 1939 England and Wales Register - Ancestry.co.uk

39. Helen Davis, 1939 Register. Archive reference RG101; ED: OAAC; Schedule No. 48; Sub Schedule No. 1; Item No. 6; Line No. 11, digital image, Ancestry. Original held The National Archives, Kew, London. 1939 England and Wales Register - Ancestry.co.uk

40. Western Daily Press, 24th January 1940, page 4. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 24 January 1940 Page 4 | findmypast.co.uk

41. Western Daily Press, 8th June 1943, page 2. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 08 June 1943 Page 2 | findmypast.co.uk

42. Western Daily Press, 31st March 1949, page 3. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 31 March 1949 Page 3 | findmypast.co.uk

43. Western Daily Press, 25th November 1949, page 6. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Western Daily Press 25 November 1949 Page 6 | findmypast.co.uk

44. Bristol Evening Post, 12th November 1951, page 7. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Bristol Evening Post 12 November 1951 Page 7 | findmypast.co.uk

45. Bristol Evening Post, 27th April 1957, page 1. British Newspaper Archive, digital image, Find My Past. Originals at British Library National Newspaper Building at Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. Bristol Evening Post 27 April 1957 Page 1 | findmypast.co.uk

46. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin Memorial, Find a Grave. Memorial ID 274117634 Mabel Hephzibah Cowlin (1877-1960) - Find a Grave Memorial

47. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin Death, Apr-Jun 1960, FreeBMD GRO Ref: Bristol, Vol 7b, Page 54. Original record, General Register Officer. FreeBMD - Search

48. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin, England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administration), 1858-1995. Original data: Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 - Ancestry.co.uk

49. Mabel Hepzibah Cowlin, Find a Will, UK Government. Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales) - GOV.UK

50. Helen Coleridge Davis Death, Jan-Mar 1969, FreeBMD GRO Ref: Wakefield, Vol 7b, Page 11. Original record, General Register Officer. FreeBMD - Search