The Goodliffe Family of Nottingham

Ellen Elizabeth Goodliffe - Second daughter of Arnold Goodliffe and Ann SPEED

Helen (also Ellen) Elizabeth was born 24 May 1835 at Bridleswmith Gate, Nottingham to Arnold and Ann Goodliffe. She was their third child and 2nd daughter. All was not well with the birth as Arnold recorded in his draft memoirs. Ellen was born with a cleft palate and had trouble feeding:


Page 80 of Arnold's draft memoirs.
Page 81 of Arnold's draft memoirs.

In May 1835 there was another addition to our family. our dead departed Ellen, I shal never forget the sad distressed look of the poor dear feeble (from exhaustion and pain) Mother when trying to give the babe its natural food she cuold not suck owing to a defective roof and palate in her mouth, she was nearly choked. Then came the proof of the Mother's wonderful untiring effort and labor to rear the little sufferer. It was a struggle till by medical circumstances to a considerable extent overcame the defect and she lived to be for many years the devoted loved companion for many years of her Mother. This was a time of great anxiety to us both, Trade bad moter at times feeble, babe requiring close attention night and day having to be fed with great frequency and care. Oh how wonderfully the Moter's affection is brought out by any defect or wantness of the child, her day and night devotion was marvellous."

But Helen survived and was baptised at the Stoney Street General Baptist Church in Nottingham on 7 Feb 1837 together with her older sister Mary Ann. Note that she was recorded as HELEN, but for most of her life was referred to by the family as ELLEN.


Baptism of Helen Elizabeth GOODLIFFE at Stoney St Baptist Chapel.

In the 1841 census she was recorded as Elizabeth, aged 5, at Bridlesmith Gate.

1851
Helen GOODLIFFE in the 1841 census.

In 1851 she was recorded as Ellen Elizabeth (aged 16), a scholar, living with the family at Bridlesmith Gate Nottingham:


Ellen Elizabeth GOODLIFFE in the 1851 census.

In 1861, Ellen Elizabeth and her family had moved to Lenton Rd, The Park.

1861
1861 census

In 1871 she was recorded as Hellen, still with her family at The Park:

1871
1871 census

Death of Ellen

In 1871 Ann GOODLIFFE wrote in her diary:

"Dear Nelly has been suffering for some time with what the doctors said was a tumour. On the 17th of October last it taken out, present Doctors Ransome, Higinbottom and Hatherly. Hatherly administered the chloroform, Ransome operated, they thought it was entirely extirpated but alas alas a very few months showed our hopes were dilusions,"

A while later she wrote this long passage:

"A dark cloud has been hovering over us for some time, filling our hearts with fear. Dear Nelly has suffered a great deal with her breast. The Doctors kept saying they did not think there was anything to fear. In july we went over to the Isle of Man how the dear girl did enjoy the rambles to the various places of interest. The pain now has extended to her back and hip. The Doctors thought it was Lumbago and at the latter end of August her father took her to Matlock to see what the baths would do for her but she did not feel any benefit. She would come home on the Saturday to be ready for her school on the Sunday though she could scarcely walk for pain. Maggie went back with her on the Monday morning to Matlock. but she seemed to get worse rather than better. We then went to the Doctors to see if we might not go to the seaside. He said decidedly not. Go to Buxton to see what the warm baths woud do. But the disease increased Oh so rapidly what a fortnight we spent yet it never dawned upon One the end was so near. The warm baths seeemed rather to increase the pain. The last bath she had she was so bad I was afraid I should not get her out. The Buxton doctor said as she did not seem to be deriving any benefit she would be better at home. We went at night as usual to the concert the Conductor so amused her by his energetic movements she seemed for the time to forget her pain. On the Sunday we went twice to Chapel But poor darling what a night of suffering. I decided to start home the first thing on Monday morning. She bore the journey better than I expected. At Beeston she said she should like to get out and walk. When we got home she would walk round the garden to look at her favorite flowers, and never goot out of doors again and acarsely out of bed. Early the next morning we called in Doctor Ransome with Higinbottom and Beamwell. They seemed struck with amazement with the rapid progress the disease had made. Ransome said this desease was like a fire the fiercer it burns the sooner its out. And how fiercely it did burn the next eight or ten days is only known to the God in whom she trusted. On October the third she passed away after the most frightful sufferings borne in the spirit of a martyr. Her great fear was she should be impatient or murmur. We had to keep her almost constantly under the influence of Chloroform for the last few days and nights. She could not bear me to be out of her sight. Oh my darling Nelly I did not know all thou was to me till I lost thee from my side and sight.For some time all seemed a blank I could not rest in the house with all its painful associations so the Master [Arnold] sold it and we went to Sandiacre [with daughter Sarah FROGGATT], until we could meet with another. We left the house in The Park on the 19 of September. Went to Sandiacre on the 20th. What a wrench when it came to...

Ellen had been unwell for some time with breast cancer, although the doctors apparently failed to diagnose it correctly. The cancer spread throughout her body. She died of cancer on 3 October 1872 at the family home in Lenton Rd, The Park, aged 37. She was buried in the Nottingham General Cemetery on 5 October 1872. In his draft biography, Arnold makes special mention of their loss:

"I have much cause for thankfulness and report the whole of my children are married and have families ... a severe trial to us was the heavy affliction and death of our only unmarried daughter dear Ellen, whose loving nature, active life, tender companionship endeared her to us and all the family".


Death record for Ellen Elizabeth GOODLIFFE

GOODLIFFE headstone in Nottingham General Cemetery for Helen, Arnold and Anne
Close-up of Helen Elizabeth's inscription, which reads "In affectionate remembrance of Helen Elizabeth Goodliffe Died 3rd Oct, 1872
"He Giveth His Beloved Sleep"

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Last updated: 23 July 2023