In 1881, the under housemaid at Shibden Hall was Mary Elizabeth Heap, who was aged 17. She was born in South Wales.
The under housemaid was usually a young girl, whose work was supervised by the senior maid. We know at Shibden that girls came to work in the household from the age of 12, and maybe younger. They had many of the dirtier jobs which were given to them by the senior maid.
Their duties might include:
- Laying out the fires
- Black-leading the grate
- Sweeping the carpets
- Emptying the slops
- Making the beds
- Completing the laundry