Does anyone know anything about the 'Stanford House Guardianship Society'?

[sharv22]

Does anyone know anything about the 'Stanford House Guardianship Society'?

On the 1901 census their address was 191 Hight Street, Civil Parish of Stoke Newington, Parliamentry Borough of Hackney, London.

The 'head' is Marion Mc Mahon, described as the Lady Superintendant & there are 3 other staff members. There are also about 50 'inmates', all female with ages ranging from 16 to 34.

My interest is in one of the inmates, Emily Cook age 17, father Thomas Cook & mother Martha Whipp.

Thanks for looking.

 

[bbart]

Here's a snippet that ran in several 1888 newspapers, describing the place.  The rest of the article is more of an advertisement for their steam laundry service (for hotels and institution) which they ran to offset their costs.

[maddys52]

I think you mean the London Female Guardian Society which ran Stamford House, High Street, Stoke Newington, for fallen women.

[maddys52]

Some information here:
http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/list/MH6.shtml

London Female Penitentiary / Girls' Training Home, Stamford House, 191 High Street, Stoke Newington
opened - by 1884,
Weekly fees - Free, on personal application to ladies' committee,
Places -  80   
Admission age - 16-30

[philipsearching]

Does anyone else get a sense of Victorian moral values from the newspaper item found by bbart?

"In no sense should it be confounded with a place of detention".  That's all very well, but it is a "Penitentiary" which implies moral censure.  (The word "inmate" did not carry the same negative sense then as now).  To be fair, the description "Betrayed and Fallen Young Women" does imply that the women were not always to blame!

Philip

[sharv22]

Thanks for all the replies & the information. Also for the newspaper clipping from bbart.

[stanmapstone]

The purpose of a Female Penitentiary was to offer refuge and help to girls and women in need. Penitent Women were usually prostitutes.

Stan