Sarah M Brooks Dunham (1868-1930) - Find a Grave Memorial

Sarah M Brooks Dunham

Birth

1868

Ottawa County, Michigan, USA

Death

4 Jan 1930 (aged 61–62)

Santa Clara, Santa Clara County, California, USA

Burial

Cypress Lawn Memorial Park

Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA Add to Map

Plot

WS-Cypress Row/Tier/Division:8 Niche / Crypt / Grave: 609

Memorial ID

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Sarah is my great great grandmother. Although I never had the opportunity to meet her, through my research, I feel connected to her. I am sad for her. It seems she endured so much sadness. She was committed to Agnews in 1898 where she remained until her death. Her admitting diagnosis was Melancholia which makes me believe she suffered from depression or postpartum depression. She filed for divorce from Berniah in 1904. Newspaper articles show that the case continued in the courts for over a year. She survived the Great San Francisco Earthquake in 1906 which sent many building at Agnew's crumbling killing many patients. I am working on getting Sarah a headstone or marker.
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1870 Census
Name: Sarah M Brooks
Age in 1870: 4
Birth Date: 1866
Birthplace: Michigan
Home in 1870: Jamestown, Ottawa, Michigan
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Holland
Mother of Foreign Birth: Yes
Inferred Father: William Brooks
Inferred Mother: Mary C Brooks
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1880 Census
Name: Sarah M. Brooks
Age: 13
Home in 1880: Jamestown, Ottawa, Michigan, USA
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: William A. Brooks
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Name: Mary A. Brooks
Mother's Birthplace: England
Occupation: At Home
Attended School: Yes
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Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952
Name: Sarah M Brooks
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 21
Birth Date: 1867
Birth Place: Hanley Ottawa Co, Michigan
Marriage Date: 1 Mar 1888
Marriage Place: Hanley, Kent, Michigan, USA
Residence Place: Hanley Ottawa Co, Michigan
Father: William A Brooks
Spouse: Beniah S Dunham
Record Number: 286
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Medical Record 11 May 1898
Had an "attack" on this date. Previous attack was 1 1/2 months ago for 4 months. Disease is gradually increasing. Disposition is quiet. Addicted to the use of: Nothing; DIAGNOSIS: MELANCHOLIA.
Cause of Insanity: Hereditary and Child Birth; Evidence of Insanity: Restless and Destructive at times. Has delusions of persecution. Attempted suicide. Delivered child April 28, 1898
This notation in Sarah's medical record leads me to believe that she suffered from postpartum depression.
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20 Jun 1898 - Admitted to Agnews State Hospital for the Insane
Sarah was committed to Agnews on court order by Judge Carroll Cook. The diagnosis was melancholia. Examining Drs: Dr. Wadsworth and Dr. D Sustig. It is noted that Sarah had 3 living children and 1 dead child (I have not found evidence of this child - still researching)
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1900 Census
Name: Sarah Dunham
Age: 32
Home in 1900: Santa Clara, Santa Clara, California
Institution: Agnews State Hospital for Insane
Relation to Head of House: Inmate
Marital Status: Married
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1910 Census
Name: Sarah Dunham
Age in 1910: 43
Home in 1910: Santa Clara, Santa Clara, California, USA
Relation to Head of House: Inmate
Marital Status: Married
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Number of Children Born: 4
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1920 Census
Name: Sarah Dunham
Age: 52
Home in 1920: Agnew, Santa Clara, California
Relation to Head of House: Patient
Marital Status: Married