Edward Southwick - the Zoo Keeper

 The most exotic occupation of a future Charterhouse resident must be that of Edward Southwick who was a zoo keeper.

The zoo in Hull began as an addition to the Botanic Gardens which had opened in 1812 on the corner of Spring Bank.  By the 1830s zoos were becoming popular around the country, and in 1839 the decision was made to open one in Hull, next to the Botanic Gardens.  It opened in October 1840 and the whole site became known as the Zoological Gardens.  It housed an extraordinary variety of animals, but they were kept in conditions which would outrage us today, and caused concern even then.  

The Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens was John Simpson Seaman, who got the job in 1842.  When Southwick joined is unknown; the 1841 census has been lost.  But he was certainly there as keeper in 1851.  Edward was born c.1792 in Preston near Hedon, Yorkshire; his mother was Dianah and his father was John Southwick. He was baptised on 30th January 1793 and married Ann (nee Mitchel) at Skirlaugh, Yorkshire, on 28th July 1819. Together they had two children: Jane (born 1819 at Preston); and Harriet (born c.1829 at Long Riston, Yorkshire).  What Edward did for a living until joining the Zoo we don't know, but he may have worked at another zoo.  In 1852 there was a second keeper, Robert Wells, who appeared on an advertisement with Southwick but is not heard of again.  The advert was for a "Grand Gala" for the benefit of the two keepers.  

We can see the keeper's house at the top of this map of the Gardens, just above the menagerie.  For 20 years Edward and his family had a home to go with a job which must have been full of excitement.  The Gardens staged fireworks displays, which must have disturbed the animals, as well as galas. equestrian displays and even a balloon ascent.  

But despite their initial success, and continuing popularity, the Zoological Gardens cost huge amounts to run and fell deeper and deeper into debt.  By 1860 it was clear that the problems were intractable and closure was inevitable.  The last ever gala was held on 2 September 1861,  Southwick, who was still there on the census earlier in the year, was now out of a job - and without a home.  We can't pick him up until the 1871 census, when he was living at 5 Mason Terrace with his wife.  He is described as a labourer, although he was 78 years old.  He was admitted to the Charterhouse in June 1873.  Our register does not list his wife so we don't know whether she came in with him.  Edward Southwick died in November 1878.

A huge amount of information about the Gardens can be found in a booklet published by the Hull History Centre, and online at booklet