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Topic: Devon House of Mercy (Read 640 times)
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absillitoe
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Does anyone know if any records exist from the Devon House of Mercy at Bovey Tracey? My great-grandmother (Martha Susannah Froude, born in 1852) was there in 1871 as an inmate according to the census and I'm trying to find out more about how she ended up there, but I'm not getting anywhere. If she went there because she had an illegitimate child, would there be some particular record of this?
Another curious fact is that she is listed on the 1871 census as having been born in Bristol, Somersetshire (not Gloucestershire), whereas she came from Stoke Gabriel in Devon. Since her parents died when she was very young, I assumed she might have been sent off to live with a member of the family in Bristol, but I can't find her at all on the 1861 census (after her parents died). She seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.
I'm just posting this in the hope that someone with more experience than myself (probably just about everyone) might have some bright ideas.
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slightlyfoxed
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In GENUKI under Bovey Tracey I found this mention in Family History publication .
Green, Christina. Society's Fallen Sisters: The Devon House of Mercy, Family Tree Magazine, vol. 23, no. 7, (2007) pp.39-41. [Founded "for the reception and reformation of females who have sinned against the Divine law of chastity".
Try the Devon Family History Society.
http://www.devonfhs.org.uk/treehouse.htm
I Googled Fallen Sisters Bovey Tracey and found some bits and pieces which you can find fairly easily . Using Google.
Then I thought of Old Maps and I found the building on an old map! It is situated on the hill behind the Church! attached. Ive been through Bovey on the bus many times and behind the church there are trees and on a modern map its still there hidden in the trees, now called Devon House.
If you go to Francis Frith put into search Bovey Tracey Devon ,there is a photo of it.Big place.
Foxy
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 Bovey.png (26.28 KB, 664x342 - viewed 215 times.)
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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absillitoe
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Thank you very much for this information, Foxy, especially the super map! Also, the photo : I didn't know what Francis Frith was, but managed to figure it out! I will try to get hold of this magazine article.
Just in case someone else has as interest in this area, it seems that there are some records available in the national archives according to their website, which includes the annual reports for 1866, 1871, perhaps 1881, and 1925-38, and the register of admission of inmates from 1913-1939, which is unfortunately after the period that interests me personally.
Alan
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slightlyfoxed
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As I live in the area I'll see if I can find a book in the local library about BT. See if this place comes up in it.
Id guess that Martha was unfortunate enough to have a child out of wedlock and got caught up in the maws of what could well have been a ferocious institution..pious do-gooders preaching , Sounds utterly horrible. Well meaning in intention I suppose but uggh!
Id guess the child might well be in the parish registers of Bovey Tracey, if it survived.
Foxy
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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absillitoe
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Thank you very much, Foxy, for your interest in this issue. The question I'm asking myself is did girls in this situation go to this kind of institution to give birth or was it somewhere they went after afterwards?
Indeed, I'll have to get hold of this article because, as you, I really wonder what they endured in there. Perhaps this place wasn't so bad : it seems as though the clew sisterhood was started with a good motivation. However, having recently read about the Magdalene laundries, I have some doubts.
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slightlyfoxed
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I dont know how these things worked back then...but judging by the tales I heard about the brutality exercised on girls in unmarried mothers homes in the 1960's I would guess it was pretty dire.
I agree about the Magdalen laundries of Ireland. A real horror story and I wondered if something like it was going on. I wonder if it depended if the foundation was Roman Catholic or C of E?? would that make a difference ?
I will get to the Library tomorrow and see what I can find.
I love a good detective story!
regards
Foxy!
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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slightlyfoxed
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I found some images in a booklet about Bovey Tracey . Looks like the place was run on similar lines to those in Ireland. Sisters of Mercy were originally from Cork in Ireland so Irish Catholic and terrifying I imagine
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bovey_1.jpg (172.98 KB, 436x427 - viewed 187 times.)
Bovey-2.jpg (329.35 KB, 526x644 - viewed 189 times.)
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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absillitoe
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Thank you for this invaluable information, Foxy. It looks worse than I had imagined. Just looking at the laundry conjures up pictures from a documentary I saw on the Magdalene laundries. In fact, didn't they make a film about it. Seems like some women got sent there for almost no reason and ended up being caged up in there for decades, even recently, as I think you mentioned. At least, this did not happen to my great-grandmother. I only know she was there in 1871, at about 18 years old, but in 1880 she got married in Liverpool. Perhaps she couldn't get far enough away from the place!
I am really indebted to you. Thank you very much.
I will post some more information of general interest later if and when I get some.
Alan
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slightlyfoxed
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Maybe they could leave at 21, when they came of age.
Oddly there were a quite a few connections between Devon and Liverpool in that period, through the various ports obviously and Teignmouth where I am was one of the most active. Its only a few miles away from Bovey, about 12 or so, relatively few by todays standards, quite a long way to walk but not impossible, two days maybe.
What happened to her when she got the Liverpool? A whole chunk of my family were from there in the 1880's I have a great Grandfather who was a Dr in Liverpool and another who was head of the Albert Docks Offices.
Pleased to have shed some light on your searches.
Good luck
Annie
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« Last Edit: Thursday 19 June 08 16:55 BST (UK) by slightlyfoxed »
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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slightlyfoxed
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have you looked here?
http://www.missing-ancestors.com/girls_industrial_school%20exeter%20devon.htm
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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absillitoe
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I would like to add here that I have finally tracked down Martha Susannah Froude, who was in the Devon House of Mercy in 1871, on the 1861 census. Given that the 1871 census indicates that she was born in Bristol, Somerset, I thought perhaps she might have been in this area at the time of the 1861 census, especially since the Devon House of Mercy did not open until at least 1863, I think.
Looking for orphans in Bristol on the 1861 census, I discovered that many of them were simply listed under their initials and I found :
M S F, age 9, born abt 1852, in Paignton Devon, residing in the New Orphan House Number 2 in Clifton, Bristol St James and St Paul, Gloucestershire.
It turns out that this orphanage was created by one George Müller, originally from Germany, whose biography is quite fascinating. (Thanks to Tati for finding this.) See http://www.about-bristol.co.uk/ash-01.asp and http://www.mullers.org.
I just want to mention, especially as we are in the Devon section here, that George Müller spent a few years in Teignmouth as the pastor of a church, and it is from here that he eventually moved on to step start up his orphanages (amongst other things) in Bristol which rapidly grew to taking in thousands of children based purely on voluntary, donations which he didn't even ask for directly. Pretty amazing, especially considering that he started his life as a drunkard and a cheat.
Anyway, thanks to Teignmouth and Devon for inspiring all of this!
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« Last Edit: Friday 20 June 08 14:15 BST (UK) by absillitoe »
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slightlyfoxed
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I forgot to send you this. maybe of use if you want to search further.
Friends of Devon Archives FODA http://www.foda.org.uk/main/about.htm
Devon Freeholders 1711- 1799 Parish, Village orTown
Froud, John QS7/56/Lifton - Coryton
Froude, James QS7/36/Ermington - Modbury, gentleman, freeholder
Froude, John QS7/28/Ermington - Modbury , gentleman, freeholder
Froude, Robert QS7/36/Ermington -Modbury
Frowde, James QS7/20/Ermington, QS7/28/Ermington - Kingston gentleman
Frowde, John QS7/14/Ermington (2), QS7/20/Ermington (2)
John Frowde, of Frowde,Ermington- Kingstone -Church Towne, freeholder
Frowde, Robert QS7/14/Ermington gentleman, freeholder
Frowde, Thomas QS7/44/Ermington of Ringmore [Ringmore (near Kingsbridge)] freeholder
Ermington Parish - Kingstone [Kingston]
Robert Frowde, gentleman, freeholder
John Frowde, of Frowde, freeholder
John Frowde, of Kingstone Church Towne, freeholder
Notes. Parish of Ermington in Ermington parish and Ermington hundred. ( village not far from Plymouth just south of close by Ivybridge off the A 38)
Kingston in Kingston parish and Ermington hundred.
Modbury is closer to Kingsbridge
From Genuki
GREEN, Christina. Society's Fallen Sisters: The Devon House of Mercy, Family Tree Magazine, vol. 23, no. 7, (2007) pp.39-41. [Founded "for the reception and reformation of females who have sinned against the Divine law of chastity".]
----
The Bovey Tracey Heritage
Bovey Tracey Heritage Trust
The Old Railway Station
St John's Lane
BOVEY TRACEY
Devon
TQ13 9GP
Tel:01626-834331
Email. bovey@devonmuseums.net
Charity Number 1063070.
The Bovey Tracey Heritage Centre is open at the following times.
Mon - Fri: 10.00- 12.00 : 14.00-16.00 (2 pm-4 pm)
Sat: 10.00- 12.00
Sun: Closed
If you are researching your family history and find that some of your ancestors lived in the Bovey Tracey area, the Bovey Tracey Heritage Centre would be pleased to have a copy of their details to add to the Archive at the Heritage Centre.
Similarly, if you or your family have any photographs, pictures, audio tapes, films, newspaper cuttings, artefacts, memories or experiences associated with the area, they will be of interest and copies may be added to the archive for use by researchers in future years.
Cemeteries
MIs for this parish are included in the Incledon index - see GENUKI under Cemeteries on the main Devon page.
Bovey Tracey railway station was built on the west side of the town, opening on 26 June 1866. Two platforms were provided, with the main building and goods shed being on the town side of the line.
Stoke Gabrial 1850
Adams Richard, fisherman
Allamon Misses
Bowden Rev Robt. vicar, Castle Hs.
Colson Mr Wm.
Davies Jno. & Jones Jno. shoemkrs
Hales Edward, cider merchant
Hulme Rd. Parrott, Esq. Maisonette
Lambshead Mrs
Lander John, builder and vict. Albert Inn
Lander Richard, carpenter
Martin John, woolcomber
Martin John, tailor
Matthews Charles, shopkeeper
Narracott Robt. and John, masons
Narracott Roger, mason & parish clk
Parnell Wm. butcher
Rowe Wm. vict. Church House
Studdy Henry, Esq. Watton Court
Tapley Mary Ann, shopkeeper
Wyatt John, smith
FARMERS. (+ are Owners.)
+ Adams Richard, Rydens
+ Blight Wm., Watton
+ Churchward John, Stoke Hill
+ Churchward Matthew, Egglesford
+ Collings Wm. C., Portbridge
Duder John
Elliott Susan
+ Foss Wm., Sandridge Barton
Hannaford Philip
+ Jackson John Churchward, Ash
Peeke John
Searle Henry
Searle John
Widdicombe Thos. (& corn miller,) Byter Mills
best wishes
Annie
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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slightlyfoxed
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I guess you've got her marriage cert??
Its in Free BMDs
Marriages Mar 1880
Froude Martha West Derby GRO ref. 8b 578
SILLITOE Joseph W Derby 8b 578
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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absillitoe
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Thanks Annie. Yes, I have do have the marriage certificate and quite a few other things. Perhaps I should try to put a clear post indicating what I'm stuck with. Will try to do soon.
Best wishes,
Alan
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slightlyfoxed
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thought you might have. !
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Pomeroy in London & Liverpool , Pomery near Launceston Cornwall, Shearer of Thurso, Moore in Colchester Essex, Hornblow in Braintree Essex, Machin ,Cook in Herts, Campbell, Sutherland, Mackay, Brotchie, Gunn. Cadle in South Africa.
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