Maud Woodcock

Born 5th February 1887, Thorney, Northamptonshire

She was the youngest of the Woodock children and so is in many of the pictures taken when family came home to Thorney - here she is pictured with her sisters Edith and Kate, taken c.1907.

Maud's nickname with her sisters was Phil

Trained as a millener (hat maker) in Peterborough. 

Worked for a period of time at Marshall and Co., 2 Market Place, Spalding.

Also worked at Cornishes Hat Shop, Streatham

She became pregnant by a man called Mr Leonard A Belden, but he was married and could not leave his wife.

The picture to the left is of Cicely Fordham (Maud's niece) on horseback - the man holding the horse is Leonard Belden.

The picture is taken outside Goodwin's Yard in Thorney, Northamptonshire.  Leonard Belden is cited in the 1901 census as being aged 18 and a farrier by profession.  This flags up the possibility that he got to know Maud because he worked at the Woodcock smithy in Thorney.

Maud left for Canada - it is unclear whether she decided to go of her own accord - and had a son Arthur - she changed her name from Woodcock to Welden (just one letter different!).

One son:

When Maud visited England in the 1960's she went to Brighton and met up with Leonard for the last time.

Maud kept in touch with t family in England and a letter from New Year 1969 she sent this picture on which she has written - "This was taken in Arthur's living room on Xmas night.  I did not know it was being taken." and Cicely Fordham has written "Aunt Maud. Canada."

This sympathy card was sent in 1970 to Felix on the death of his wife Florrie who had kept in touch with Aunt Maud - it is written by Aunt Maud and read "From Aunt Maud Arthur Jesse + Family."

Maud died 4th November 1972, Downsview, Ontario, Canada

Her son Arthur ,married Jessie and they had eight children.