The life of Charity Dawson is a powerful study in transformation. Her story begins with a low point captured in a Wandsworth Prison photograph from 1873, where the 19-year-old was incarcerated for stealing a 7-shilling ring and was publicly branded in the press. This moment of disrepute followed a childhood defined by instability and conflict—she was born into an itinerant family of Hawkers who lived out of a caravan in Croydon and endured documented domestic violence.

Despite her bleak prospects, the next year marked a dramatic turning point: she married Richard Smalldridge, a fellow General Dealer. This partnership allowed the couple to stabilize their lives and economic standing, transitioning from mobile traders to Fishmongers in Chertsey and establishing roots on Guildford Street.

Charity's true resilience shone after Richard’s death in 1903. As a 48-year-old widow, she took over as the business Employer, proving herself a tough, astute businesswoman who successfully defended her accounts in a major London lawsuit in 1906. She retained her fiery spirit, appearing in court more than once for brawling with family and neighbours, showing she was a formidable force to be reckoned with.

The final piece of her identity puzzle was revealed in 1913: the name she used on all legal documents, "Charity," was a shortened version of her full name: Faith Hope Charity. This triple name, a tradition inherited from her grandmother, became the symbol of the family legacy she was building.

Charity died in 1927, leaving behind an estate valued at the equivalent of £150,000 today. This considerable fortune was earned through decades of grit following her prison sentence. The ultimate testament to her triumph is the 125-year family business she and Richard founded, which continued to operate into the late 20th century, cementing her status as a respected matriarch.