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Myra Sadd Brown

A Maldon women's rights campaigner and suffragette, who was force fed in prison and went on to be part of the international campaign for votes for women.

Born on 3 October 1872, Myra was the 10th of 11 children born to John Granger Sadd, part of the famous local building and timber family who had operated at Fullbridge since 1729. The family lived in a large mansion off West Chase, in Maldon, that later became a convent and then part of St Francis School.

A keen cyclist, Myra met and fell in love with Ernest Brown, who with his brother Albert Brown ran bicycle parts company Brown Brothers. The couple were married in 1896, in the Congregational Chapel (now the Maldon United Reformed Church) and in a radical move, both merged their surnames to become “Sadd Brown”.

Even before she married, Myra had been campaigning for women to be allowed to vote, and she continued to become more involved in the movement as part of Emily Pankhurst's East London Federation of Suffragettes. Campaigning led to direct action, and in 1912 she was arrested for throwing a brick through a window at the War Office and served two months in Holloway Prison with hard labour. During that time, along with other suffragettes, she went on hunger strike and was horrifically force-fed through rubber tubes. She remained undaunted however, writing cheerful letters to her young children, scribbled on toilet paper and smuggled out of prison.

The cause was won in the UK when women gained the vote in 1918, but Myra Sadd Brown went on to become a leading figure in the international women's suffrage movement. She became an active member of the International Suffrage Alliance and was at the forefront of setting up of the British Commonwealth League. After the death of her husband in 1930, Myra travelled to the far east to be present at the birth of a grandchild. Afterwards she visited Angkor Wat and Malaya before moving on to Hong Kong, planning to return home on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

However, before she could return, she suffered a stroke and died in Kowloon Hospital in April 1938. She was cremated in Hong Kong, but her life is remembered in a tree-shaped memorial in the churchyard of the United Reformed Church in Maldon and in a plaque on her former home in West Chase. Her name also lives on through the Myra Sadd Brown Memorial Library for women’s activism, founded in 1938 and now at the London School of Economics, where a large amount of her letters and works, including her notes to her children from prison, are preserved.

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Maldon United Reformed Church URC

The original modest chapel on this site was replaced by this handsome building in 1801. This was as a result of the popularity of the resident preacher Reverend Joseph Billio. His enthusiasm and inspirational energy had caused the congregation to grow to such an extent that new premises were needed to accommodate them. People would stand outside the church to listen to his sermons. Such was his energy and drive that the phrase ‘to go like Billio’ has moved into our language. A blue plaque on the building commemorates this charismatic Maldon figure. Visitors are very welcome, with a regular Sunday service at 10.30am plus occasional afternoon services and social events.
Ironworks Meadow

Part of the site is accessible via a boardwalk from the footpath leading to the bridge over the canal at the far end of Tesco car park. Visitors should not leave this boardwalk as the site contains areas of deep water.
Home of Myra Sadd Brown / Old Convent

This Grade II Listed private home (not open to the public) was built in 1880 as a mansion for John Granger Sadd of the famous Maldon Sadd family. His daughter, suffragette and women's rights activist Myra Sadd Brown lived there and is commemorated by a blue plaque.

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St Mary's Church, Maldon inc Commonwealth War Graves

Address

Church Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HP

Telephone
01621 857191

Maldon

St. Mary's Church is known locally as the Fisherman's Church as its tower guides sailors and their craft into the Hythe Quay. The existing building dates from 1130, but archaeological evidence suggests that it used to be the site of a Saxon church.
World War Two Avenue of Remembrance

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Maldon

The World War Two Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park, beginning close to the boating lake, consists of 86 Horse Chestnut trees that were planted in 1987 to commemorate local people who died serving their country during World War Two.
The Maeldune Heritage Centre

Address

St Peter’s Tower, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01621 851628

info@maelduneheritagecentre.co.uk

Maldon

The Maeldune Heritage Centre, set in the beautiful old St Peter's Church, is one of Maldon's most fascinating visitor attractions, mixing local history, temporary art and craft exhibitions, tourism information and the permanent home of the…
The Museum in the Park

Address

47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX

Telephone
07973 559981

enquiries@maldonmuseum.org.uk

Maldon

The trademark Penny Farthing bicycle entices visitors to explore the treasures of this compact museum. Housed over two floors of the former Park Keepers Lodge, the exhibits are wide ranging. The replica waistcoat of the Fat Man of Maldon, which…
Religious Society of Friends

Address

Friends Meeting House (Quaker Church), Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

Telephone
01621 854056

Maldon

Maldon’s Quaker Meeting House was built in 1821. It comprises two separate rooms; originally one for women and one for men, but now everyone worships together. The Georgian benches and tiered elders’ benches remain.
Hythe Quay

Address

Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

tourism@maldon.gov.uk

Maldon

For well over a thousand years, Hythe Quay has been the home to Maldon's maritime community and the gateway to Maldon for vessels arriving from the sea. Linking the award-winning Promenade Park with the pubs, restaurants and shops of Maldon High…
St Giles Leper Hospital Remains

Address

Spital Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EA

Telephone
01621 857373

administration@maldontowncouncil.gov.uk

Maldon

Remains of an ancient Leper Hospital said to have been founded in 1164 by Henry II.
The Assumption of our Lady, RC Church

Address

60A Victoria Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HF

Telephone
01621 852259

maldon@brcdt.org

Maldon

The Assumption of Our Lady Roman Catholic Church in Maldon was opened in 1925, replacing a temporary place of worship that had been set up in and old converted Forge in Silver Street.
Maldon Baptist

Address

Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

Telephone
07768 086248

Maldon

We are a friendly bunch of people who take seriously our responsibility to seek first the Kingdom of God.
Maldon East and Heybridge Railway Station (Disused)

Address

Station House, Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

Maldon

Maldon East and Heybridge railway station served the town of Maldon and nearby village of Heybridge between 1848 and 1964.
Home of Myra Sadd Brown / Old Convent

Address

West Chase, Maldon, CM9 6HN

Maldon

This Grade II Listed private home (not open to the public) was built in 1880 as a mansion for John Granger Sadd of the famous Maldon Sadd family. His daughter, suffragette and women's rights activist Myra Sadd Brown lived there and is commemorated…
The Moot Hall

Address

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

Telephone
01621 851553

manager@themoothall.co.uk

Maldon

This 15th Century former manorial home houses a unique brick spiral staircase, a Georgian court room, a former prison and a Victorian Council Chamber.
Maldon United Reformed Church URC

Address

Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01621 859365

info@maldonurc.org.uk

Maldon

The original modest chapel on this site was replaced by this handsome building in 1801. This was as a result of the popularity of the resident preacher Reverend Joseph Billio. His enthusiasm and inspirational energy had caused the congregation to…
Maldon War Memorial

Address

Outside All Saints Church, High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF

Maldon

The war memorial in Maldon stands in the High Street outside All Saints Church and is a Grade II Listed white stone cross on a plinth and base, with bronze plaques set into the design. It was designed by Chelmsford Architect Wykeham Chancellor and…
All Saints' Church, Maldon

Address

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4QE

Telephone
01621 853470

Maldon

Our doors are open to everybody of all faiths – all are welcome in this house. Come along to one (or more) of our services or any of the many events held in this beautiful old building. We guarantee you a warm and friendly reception.
Former Maldon Union Workhouse

Address

St Peter's Hospital, Spital Rd, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6EG

Maldon

Today, St Peter's Hospital in Spital Road is a valuable NHS centre, but the grand buildings have an interesting history. Built in 1872 to replace the smaller workhouse on Market Hill, the new Union Workhouse could hold up to 450 inmates and had its…
World War One Avenue of Remembrance

Address

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Maldon

The World War One Avenue of Remembrance at Promenade Park begins by the coach park and loops around the field to the main vehicle entrance from Park Drive. The Avenue originally consisted of 180 numbered trees and was dedicated on 27 November 1935…
Salvation Army Citadel

Address

12 Wantz Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5DE

Telephone
01621 840088

maldon@salvationarmy.org.uk

Maldon

The building in Wantz Road has been used by the Salvation Army for many years as our place of Worship and Christian Service. Our regular Sunday morning service is at 10.30am with various events throughout the week, including our toddler group on…
Combined Military Services Museum

Address

Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

Telephone
01621 841826

admin@cmsm.co.uk

Maldon

An award winning collection of British military artefacts from the English Civil War to today. Collections focus on the Special Forces, espionage, uniforms, medals, swords, and the Donnington Firearms Collection of over 700 guns.
The Quaker Hall

Address

Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

contact@midessexquakers.org.uk

Maldon

The Quaker Hall

Myra Sadd Brown

A Maldon women's rights campaigner and suffragette, who was force fed in prison and went on to be part of the international campaign for votes for women.

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