Rev. Hennah, like many of his day, was a dramatic preacher. In 1848 there had been a severe outbreak of cholera on mainland Britain, which had caused many deaths.
The cholera did not reach the Isle of Wight but it Rev. Hennah had been moved to preach a sermon in which he declared that: “To behold death among us in the pestilence is to behold God marching through the land in indignation.” He exhorted his congregation to consider the cause of God’s displeasure and to begin a new life “touched for the first time with a sense of the power and mercy of God.”

In 1848 the average age at death in the parish was 27 years and 5 months. One child in eight died before its first birthday. By 1851 Jeremiah and his family had moved to Castle Street and Jane was a laundress; John was an unemployed footman; Charles worked as a general labourer; William was an errand boy and Emily looked after Jane at home. There was a huge well on the corner of Old Road and Castle Street from which the family drew their water. When she was old enough Jane became a laundress like her mother and she went to work at Osborne House.

It was quite usual for the laundry of large houses to be staffed by local women. Hot and humid, it was not a popular workplace.

Eventually Jane was skilled enough to iron Queen Victoria’s delicate lace caps. Jane met George Alexander Robinson, a soldier in the 30th Regiment of Foot. He was stationed on the island. Jane needed Queen Victoria’s permission for her marriage as she was employed by her and marrying a serving soldier who was on royal duties. Permission was given and an inscribed clock was received from the Royal Household. Unfortunately when the clock broke in the 1930s it was thrown out along with the inscription!