I've double checked and still can't locate an admission date for Elizabeth Sophia. M A Fry is Mary Ann Fry who was in the Home for several decades. I've (hopefully) attached a couple of items about Elizabeth senior.
Every tear subscribers (often Regiments) could nominate a suitable candidate. She must be over 50 and of good character and husband should have served at least 14 years. Elections were held in May and subscribers who had donated at least a guinea got to vote. The bigger the donation, the more votes you got. As there were only a few vacancies every year, lobbying could be fierce and some Regiments complained that they had never had a widow elected while "favoured" units - the Guards, the Artillery and the Engineers were frequently elected.
Conditions were quite pleasant. Each woman had her own room with a sign on her door giving her details e.g Mrs Bradford, Royal Artillery. The women received a grant of 7 shillings a week plus additional money for coal in winter. Because of its Royal patronage, there were frequent visits from members of the Royal family and annual dinners. There was a hospital ward with qualified staff who looked after those with temporary ailments and also those who could no longer care for themselves.
The Asylum was always short of funds which restricted the number who could be admitted - it varied between 40 and 75. From about 1904 out-pensions were paid which allowed women to live with their families. There was usually only about 7 of these at any time.
Carolyn
