Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 4, Admiralty Officials 1660-1870. Originally published by University of London, London, 1975.
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'Necessary Woman (Housekeeper) c. 1694-1865', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 4, Admiralty Officials 1660-1870, (London, 1975) pp. 75. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol4/p75 [accessed 25 April 2024]
Necessary Woman (Housekeeper)c. 1694-1865
Provision was made for a Cleaner or Necessary Woman in the establishment of 1694. The salary, originally £20, was raised to £25 in 1755, to £30 in 1779 and to £35 in 1782. (fn. 1) By 1786 the Necessary Woman had apparently assumed responsibility for the duties of the office of Housekeeper which had become a sinecure. (fn. 2) The salary was fixed at £60 in 1796 and raised to £100 in 1800 on the abolition of the office of Housekeeper. (fn. 3) From 1832 the Necessary Woman was officially designated Housekeeper. (fn. 4) The office was abolished in 1865 when provision was made for the duties to be carried out by the wife of one of the Messengers with an annual allowance of £65. (fn. 5)