Mahomet Abraham

Mahomet Abraham arrived in Britain in 1844. A lascar sailor from Calcutta, he lost his eyesight in an accident during the sea voyage. On arrival in London, he was abandoned by his captain. In order to survive he resorted to begging in the company of his dog.

Abraham was arrested in 1852 by officers of the Mendicity Society because he was in the company of Elizabeth Allen, who had previously absconded from her home and eloped with a married man, who had then abandoned her. After escaping from her parents again and failing to make a success of working in a milliner’s shop, she sang songs in London streets, where she met Mahomet. They lodged together for about ten months in 7 Little Halifax Street, where they shared a room, and were said to have married in Whitechapel Church. He was regularly sighted outside Sir Paul Pindar Tavern, 169 Bishopsgate Street, London and earned 7–15 shillings per day from begging. However, shocked by their relationship, the Mendicity Society sought to put a stop to it, which led to the court trial. Mahomet Abraham resisted his repatriation to India. As he could not be deported, he was sent to the poorhouse.

The authorities and her parents arranged for Eliza to be married to a tradesman about to emigrate to Australia or California.