From Cwmavon to California • Richard Perkins

A view of Cwmavon.

In this blogpost I will be sharing the story of my Uncle Richard Perkins. 

Those who have followed my work for a while will know that while I was researching my late father's family tree, I came across a family connection to Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum. My great-great-great-great-uncle Richard Perkins died at Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum in 1898. 

For Mental Health Awareness Week, I wanted to share his story with you. 

Although not much is known about his early life, I have been able to trace him through newspaper articles, casefiles, census records and burial records. 

A view of Cwmavon

Richard Perkins was born on the 18th of December 1836. He was one of eight children born to Christina and Richard Perkins of Frithelstock, Devon. 

The 1841 Census tells us that the Perkins family had moved from Frithelstock to the Neath Valley. The family were living at Forch Dwn Colliery Cottages in Cwmavon. Richard (snr) is listed as being a ‘Labourer’. Four years later, tragedy struck the Perkins family when Christina died of Tuberculosis at the age of 32. Christina was buried at St Michael’s Church (Cwmavon) on the 21st of August 1846.

The 1851 Census tells us that Richard (snr) and his children were lodging with the Etheridge family at ‘The Brickyard’ in Cwmavon. Richard (Snr) and his eldest sons, Thomas and Richard, are listed as ‘Labourers’. 

My 1861, Richard(jnr) had left ‘The Brickyard’ and was lodging with the Bond family at 46 Pelly Street in Cwmavon. The 1861 census tells us that Richard was a ‘Tram Gauger’. 

On the 15th of August 1871, tragedy struck the Perkins family for the second time. Richard (snr) was tragically killed at the age of 67. He was working as a ‘hitcher’ at the furnace incline in Cwmavon Copperworks when he was killed by a large tram which fell and ran over him. Richard (snr) was buried alongside his wife at St Michael’s Church (Cwmavon) on the 17th of August 1870. 

The Inquest of Richard Perkins (Snr)

At some point during the next few years, Richard made his way to San Francisco. Possibly to join his brother Thomas and his family who had emigrated there in 1869. In 1881, Richard is listed as living at 752 Harrison Street, San Francisco.  

On the 23rd of February 1881, ‘The San Francisco Examiner’ reported that Richard was found the previous day by a police officer in ‘Washburn’s Barn’ on the corner of Fifth and Bryant Streets. Richard had attempted to cut his throat with a blunt knife. Before he was disarmed by police officers, he had cut three jagged marks on his throat, and when disarmed attempted to tear the wounds open further. Richard was conveyed to the City Receiving Hospital and survived his injuries. 

An article detailing Richard's time in California.

The newspaper article describes Richard as being “insane on the subject of secret societies.” Richard was a member of the Myrtle Lodge of Knights of Phythisas. In his pockets, lengthy letters addressed to the Governor of the Lodge, accusing him of many crimes. A week later, an article published in the same newspaper notes that Richard was suffering from “suicidal mania” and had been committed to a hospital in San Francisco. 

A view of Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum - Angelton Complex.

By 1884, Richard had arrived back in South Wales and was living with his older brother John. John was a coal tipper who live with his wife Eleanor and their children in Tondu (Bridgend). 

On the 6th of July 1889, Richard was admitted to Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum as “not under proper care and control.” It seems as though his mental anguish continued after his stay in the hospital in California. 

His admission notes tell us that he was suffering from various delusions thought to be triggered by a loss of money that happened in California in 1880. The quotes below give us an insight into Richard's state of mind on his admission: 

“Nine years ago in California, he had a money loss of £200 - £300 through the failure of the bank. He then became strange, people persecuted him first burning stuff in his food to cause him to write against his lodge, it also caused him to stick himself in the side with a fork.”

"Various delusions eg. three men are following him to injure him and have taken apartments next door to his house, that they visit his bedroom every night and pur chemicals into each of his ears and mouth by means of an infernal machine which he calls a combination machine, that he was barbarously treated and poisons put in his food in a hospital in California."

"The three men who had troubled him before followed him and have continually annoyed him, more so at times, by their dirty filthy language and they keep putting powder in his ears and mouth and they have relaxed all of his joints and keep him in great pain in his head."

The notes describe Richard as a “steady and respectable man” who had worked well but occasionally complained of weakness. He was 5ft3, with grey hair and grey eyes. He was born with a stutter and one leg shorter than the other. 

Below are extracts from his case file. You will notice gaps between the dates as during those times he is described as being the same or no change. 

13th July 1889: Since admission, he has been peevish and childish and hypochondrial. In conversation, he often suddenly checks himself and puts his hand up to his head and complains of pain. He says the men come to the asylum at night and put stuff in his ears. He takes food fairly, Sleeps lightly. 

27th July 1889: Mind unchanged; he is not so obtrusive with his delusions. Physically he improves a little and he is sleeping better at night.

20th November 1889: He gradually becomes more irritable, childish and unreasoning. Delusions and hallucinations as before. He does a little housework. Eats well. Occasionally restless in the early part of the night.

19th February 1890: As deluded as ever. He sufferers from slight bronchitis following an attack of influenza. He declines to take any medicine and says his illness is due to electro-carburetted steel acting upon him during the night. He takes food well and sleeps fairly well. 

A photograph of Richard taken by Dr David Finlay. 

On the 18th of October 1890, Richard was transferred to the Parc Gwyllt complex of Glamorgan County Lunatic Asylum. Below are extracts from his second case file. 

His mental aberration began in California about 10 years ago as a consequence of loss of money and has throughout been characterised by delusions of persecution and hallucinations of hearing.

27th December 1890: Mental condition is characterised by delusions of persecution which are firmly fixed. His tea is poisoned, “stuff” is thrown in his mouth and eyes and he is tortured all night by what he terms “Electro Carbslate.” 

14th April 1894: He is week minded, hypochondrial and has delusions of persecution and auditory hallucinations. He is in fair health.

14th April 1896: He is demented, childish and suspicious - has many delusions of persecution which as the Americans are after him - electricity acts on him nightly. 

16th September 1897: He slipped and fell on the day room floor this morning and sustained an intracapsular fracture of the right femur. He was put under chloroform as it was almost impossible to get him properly examined  - the limb was put up in a long splint. He took the chloroform well and there was no after sickness.

8th October 1897: Mentally as peevish and irritable as ever. He has a cough with mucus. Physical examination is impossible. A large superficial pressure sore has formed over the sacrum. The leg does not appear to give any trouble. Appetite good. Has whisky.

An extract from Richard's Casenotes.

At 9:30am on the 2nd of January 1898, Richard died aged 62 years old. As a result of the circumstances surrounding his death, an inquest was opened by HM Coroner. The below extracts from his casefile and inquest shed more light on his death. 

3rd January 1898: Since last note, he has been gradually going downhill. 

Cough and expectoration have increased whilst the bedsore extended and the discharge from it became very profuse and the surface unhealthy. Poultices were applied but no healthy action took place. Stimulants were made use of but neither this nor digitalis were of much benefit and he died yesterday at 9:30 am.

An extract from the letter to HM Coroner from Dr Henry Turnbull Pringle.  

"He has been an inmate at the Asylum since 6th July 1889, suffering from Chronic Mania with delusions of persecution and was said to have been insane for 9 years previously. He has been in failing health and an inmate of the infirmary ward since 1893 and has been suffering from chronic phthisis. On Sept.16th last he slipped and fell on the day room floor &sustained an intracapsular fracture of the right femur at the hip- joint, and has been confined to bed ever since. 

The immediate cause of death was phthisis pulmonalis but by reason of the above injury, you may consider an inquest necessary. If you decide to hold an inquiry Dr Finlay. or Dr Smith will be prepared to give evidence."

The official verdict was given as follows: "Verdict that Richard Perkins the 2nd Jan last in the Parish of Coity Lower at the P.G. Lunatic Asylum, died from natural causes from consumption and that his death may possibly have been accelerated by his having fallen down the floor in one of the day rooms at the said Asylum the 16th day of September last when he fractured his right thigh bone."

Verdict of Richard's Inquest.

"Blessed Are The Dead Which Die In The Lord."

Richard's family were able to afford to have his body removed from the asylum and buried in the family's local churchyard. Richard was buried at St Bridget's Minor Church (Sarn) on the 6th of January. He was buried with other members of his family with his brother John buried directly opposite him. 

A photograph of Richard's Gravestone.