Jane Birch

Jane Birch (b. 1643/4, d. after 1703) was a servant to Elizabeth and Samuel Pepys from when she was 14 and then, off and on, until Samuel's death. She is notable because over 10% of the population of London were women servants and her life is well documented by her employer's detailed personal diary. Life She was working for Samuel and Elizabeth Pepys from when she was 14 and they all moved into a rented house in Whitehall in 1658. Evidence suggests that she had come to London to find work as she was not born or brought up in London as her mother lived outside the city. Her life is known because allthough over 10% of the population of London were women servants her life is one that is well documented by her employers personal detailed diary. Pepys started his daily diary on 1 January 1660. Pepys made 113 references about her in his diary and then mentioned her in his letters and his will. Samuel Pepys prospered and in 1660 the household moved to the City of London and he took on more staff. The Navy also supplied "a boy" who wore livery, carried a sword, and ran errands for Samuel. One of Birch's brothers, Wayneman Birch, took on this role but it ended badly. In 1661 Jane Birch was joined by a second maid and in 1662 Birch became "cook-maid" being paid £3 a year. Samuel Pepys was known for trying to take advantage of his staff. In 1662 Samuel Pepys recorded that he was contemplating trying to see if "his wench" would co-operate, but he decided that Birch may well cause him problems if she reported his misbehavior to his wife. Her cooking was appreciated although at the end of the year she was promoted again to replace another servant, Sarah, as chambermaid. Her promotion to chambermaid meant that she worked closely with Elizabeth Pepys and after Elizabeth complained of "saucy words" Birch was obliged to leave in February 1663. In 1663 the Pepys staff were joined by a third maid and then a companion to Elizabeth Pepys.