A Nuns Income...

[Cnthree3]

I always thought a nun did not receive any income. However, on finding out through the census pages that a relative was at St Mary's Abbey (also known as as Colwich Abbey was originally called Mount Pavilion) first as a domestic servant and then as a nun, I was surprised to see, in the 1881 census her profession shown as 'income from interest of money'. 9Condition of marriage shown as Nun)

others in the convent were shown as Rent from houses' and 'income from dividends'.

Each num seems to have different sorts of income allocated. Some I could not decipher, possibly 'annulent??"

I have tried to find out more information from the internet but not much luck. Does anyone know what the really means.

Also do you know if there are records that might show why and when she joined the convent?

many thanks

[ScouseBoy]

I thought  that  They would  donate  any spare  income  to their order.

Some orders  make a vow of poverty, but whether they all do, I am not sure.        Some sisters    will be employed as teachers or nurses.   and you would expect  they currently  get paid the commensurate  salary  by their employer,   that's  what I would think  happens at the present date.

[Marmalady]

Just speculation but any such income in the Nun's name ( eg from an inheritance from parents etc) may have been "donated" to the convent for its upkeep / running costs / charitable works

[ScouseBoy]

Just speculation but any such income in the Nun's name ( eg from an inheritance from parents etc) may have been "donated" to the convent for its upkeep / running costs / charitable works

       I think similarly to you.   However not all sisters  work within the Convent.    some  work in the outside community.

When I was in hospital, 50 years ago,   there was a religious sister working in the hospital  as a nurse,,   She had great devotion  to her patients.

And I know it is "fiction"     but if you watch   the Programme  "The Royal"    one of the staff is a religious  Sister.                 Many convents  were and still   are homes for  abandoned children or orphans,   like    Nazareth House  for example.

[Cnthree3]

This is really interesting , but sadly I expect i will never find out what she did to earn the money.- many thanks though for the information.

[aghadowey]

There would have been records kept of any who entered the Order but getting details from such records would probably mean contacting them directly. See here-
http://www.benedictines.org.uk/house/colwich-abbey/

[jbml]

Some I could not decipher, possibly 'annulent??"

Annuitant

i.e. somebody in receipt of an annuity

[heywood]

It is interesting looking through those names and censuses.
1881 seems to be the only one with such specific occupation descriptions.

1841 - Independent
1851 - some are No Profession     ?? Own means
           Others are Household Avocations
1861 - Nun
1871- Religious

If I recall, nuns had to have a dowry. Perhaps they were all living off the interest etc of the communal monies. May be also at that time, most women who entered a convent were from families who had means.
I don't really know.
I know the nuns who taught at the school I attended had a hierarchy - the teachers; the domestic and gardening nuns and they were quite snobbish.
Looking at 1851, it looks as though the 'household avocations' ladies were professed as nuns but at the time were on domestic duties.

[Cnthree3]

Thanks. I have contacted them directly and don't live that far away and might even go to visit. Thanks for all your help with this one. It is a really interesting little piece of family history that no one knew about. G