THIS is the remarkable story of Jane Wort, an extraordinary independent woman, who lived in 19th century Hampshire and who calls to mind Flora Thompson’s classic tale of a rural post office in Lark Rise to Candleford.

Jane’s story opens the window of history and offers a glimpse of the day-to-day life in the country long ago.

Her story recalls a simpler age but Jane’s circumstances also serve as a reminder that this was also a harsh period when charity was the only safeguard against poverty.

Details of her life would have probably remained lost and forgotten had not Hampshire Heritage discovered a discarded, old pamphlet, Hampshire Records Old and New, among a pile of books in one of the city’s charity shops.

Today the publication, Hampshire Records Old and New, which originally cost one shilling (5p), is in a rather fragile condition, but between its 31 pages are fascination insights into a way of life long forgotten.

The story of Jane, described as an 83-year-old Hampshire postwoman, who, even in those far off times, was considered to belong to an era that was fast passing away.

In the publication Jane is described as: “A woman of strong and peculiar characteristics, self respecting and self reliant. She is held in esteem by all with whom she comes in contact, and her very way of walking and carrying letter bag and basket, impresses the passer with the feeling that, little and old as she is now, she will still hold on in a straight line to the end, and will ask no assistance and will be indebted to no one.”

According to the pamphlet Jane was born in 1830, and, at the age of seven, began to earn her living in the Overton silk mills, so small a child that she had stand on a block of wood to reach her work.

In 1848 she went to the Whitchurch Silk Mill, working there until it closed. She married in 1873, and was widowed three years later, with a step-son she supported until his death at the age of 17.

“That same year, at her husband’s death, she began working at the Post Office at Overton and during the following 30 years never was duty so faithfully performed and never had the department had a more obliging official,” said the booklet.

“Her daily round from 1876 to 1895 was from 16 to 17 miles a day, no small distance for a lady of 60.

“Now her morning round is reduced to an average of eight miles a day, though on her return she is willing enough to start off again with a telegram.

“Twice only during these years has she been off-duty. In 1893 she sprained a hand and wrist badly and in 1895 she sprained her ankle, both accidents were caused by falls in slippery weather when going on her rounds.”

Despite these years of devotion to duty, Jane Wort had little to comfort her in the latter years of her life.

“It is a matter of great regret to all who know her that, with the curious mischance of life, she is, alas, After all these years of service, not entitled to a pension, and it is sincerely hoped that something might possibly be done for her in this respect, should necessity ever arise.

“If she is fortunate she will, as the saying goes, ‘die in harness’.”